Cars designated with an M followed by a single digit are the chosen ones. They’re born and bred under the auspices of BMW M GmbH, the in-house motorsports division responsible for spanking enemies at the track. Resourceful M-division engineers can swiftly apply to their road cars the structural gains, suspension improvements, aero refinements, and power secrets learned from racing.
So why is an M2 coming when BMW stores are already stocked with half a dozen M models? Because a wheelbase that is
4.8 inches shorter than the M3/M4’s will trim weight and improve agility. Because the $60,000-plus M4 is beyond the reach of the young customers BMW needs to restock its fan base. As a warm-up, the M folks recently introduced an $80,000 M235i coupe for endurance racing.
When it arrives in a couple of years, the M2 will surely be powered by BMW’s potent S55 3.0-liter six. Armed with twin turbos blowing through a Valvetronic variable-intake-valve-lift system, this engine should deliver more than 400 horsepower and rev to 7600 rpm. Transmission choices will parallel the M3/M4 options—either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch auto.
