BMW M2 Coupe to join 2 Series range
A BMW M2 is likely to join the 2 Series range, filling the gap left by the 1 Series M Coupe.
BMW is planning to add an M car to the 2 Series range that is hitting Australian showrooms in March. Tipped to join the rest of line-up in 2016, the M2 has reportedly been the path BMW has chosen after first considering, and then dropping, plans to produce a street-legal version of their M235i Racing -- the track variant of the M235i, according to Auto Express.
A source told the UK site the track-to-road conversion plan was axed because it would “step on the toes of something else higher up the range", adding that it was a new M car.
The M2 is tipped to be powered by a twin-turbocharged version of the M235i's 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder, but delivering a lift above the current 240kW of power and 450Nm of torque -- perhaps up to 45kW and 50Nm more to make 285kw and 500Nm, still leaving a gap to the 317kW/550Nm of the M3 and M4.
The transmission will probably be a tweaked version of the M235i's eight-speed sports automatic with a launch control mode and F1-style steering wheel mounted paddle shifters, plus the possibility of the six-speed manual seen in the M135i hatch.
There's also likely to be an improvement on the M235i's 0-100km/h time of 4.8 seconds, particularly if the M2 is the target of weight-trimming strategies, with the M235i tipping the scales at around 1600kg -- a hefty hike over the 1495kg of the 1 Series M Coupe (which was an M1 but couldn't carry that nameplate because of confusion with the iconic mid-engined sports cars of the late 1970s).
A lighter weight would also help braking and handling, which are also likely to get attention with uprated discs and an M-division suspension tune with multiple settings, plus an electronically-controlled limited slip rear differential. And there's a chance we could see a toned down derivation of the M235i Racing's flared fenders housing wide M wheels.
Expect to start looking for the M2 at a motor show next year, with roll-out to follow in 2016. In the meantime, stay tuned for our first drive of the BMW 2 Series range later today.
This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott
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