It gets a sensible name now, not '1-series M coupe'
You’ll remember that its predecessor couldn’t take the name M1, because that belonged to the mid-engined supercar from 1978. The M2 name is vacant, so the new 370bhp car gets it.
Read Top Gear’s first drive of the new BMW M2
It uses an 'M-ised' version of the outgoing N55 engine
Most BMW six-cylinders, such as the new 740i and 340i, are using a new modular engine called B58. But the M2 has a version of the predecessor engine, codenamed N55. Reason? They could then take parts from the related S55 engine in the M3/M4, such as pistons and main bearings, and fit them straight into the M2 engine. Also, the 2-series already uses a 326bhp version of the N55, in the M235i.
It's worth going for the manual gearbox
The seven-speed twin-clutch (BMW calls it SMG) is really good - snappy and the quickest way to get around a difficult track or up to 100kph. But this car is about involvement, and so you really should stick to the stick.
BMW M never thought of using a four-cylinder
The i8 has a three-cylinder 1.5 engine making 231bhp (before electric augmentation). So a four-cylinder 2.0-litre engine based on that could in theory make 231x4/3=308bhp. But the M engineer we spoke to was adamant they always wanted to use a straight-six. We’d speculate two reasons. One, it’s more marketable when AMG is using a four for the A45. Secondly, adapting the six-cylinder for M2 use would be easier than super-tuning the four-cylinder.
Production isn't limited but it is sold out for a year
The 1-Series M Coupe was originally going to be limited to 2700 units, but in the face of demand BMW in the end made more than twice that. The M2 could in theory be made at the rate of up to 10,000 a year. Mind you, the first year, which isn’t that many because it has to ramp up, has already sold out. So get yer skates on if you think you want one. And you do.
It has a Nordschleife time
Given BMW issued a ’Ring time for the 2-series Active Tourer minivan, they were never going to be able to stop themselves blurting the time for the M2. It’s 7m58s.
It's got track apps
You can download an app that allows you to analyse speed, time, gear, throttle and steering angle for a series of laps. And another one that links to a GoPro via a smartphone, enabling you to get the camera’s live-feed onto the car’s central screen and control the cam via iDrive.
The rear wings are blistered out an extra 40mm per side
It looks fabulously bulgy too. See that extra channel outside the rear lamp clusters? That’s part of the extra metal inset into the wing.
Read Top Gear’s first drive of the new BMW M2
It's a tough little thing on track
At the press launch, BMW had a pair of pace cars being driven by racer drivers. Admittedly some of the laps weren’t all that fast (they were leading the likes of me around) but some were pretty rapid. And they did well over 100 laps of Laguna Seca per day, with no change of tyres or brakes. The tyres were standard, and the brakes only had a set of BMW Performance hard pads. Most cars would have wilted long before.
BMW has a set of aftermarket parts ready to go
The list includes carbon fibre aero parts, adjustable suspension, and a switchable (by Bluetooth) louder exhaust. Inside, the accessory steering wheel has a suede rim and race lap display. But BMW M’s chief, Frank Van Meel, told Top Gear he expects many other tuners will muscle in, because buyers of cars like this love to tinker.