[chriscecc914]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

http://www.caranddriver.com/news/201...-detailed-news

December 2012
BY JENS MEINERS

What It Is: The M version of the upcoming BMW 2-series coupe and thus the successor of the immensely good 1-series M coupe. Unlike its predecessor—which was rushed through development in record time, known internally as Project Pyrat—the 2015 M2 will undergo a longer gestation, allowing BMW to come up with a more polished package. Look for aggressive restyling, strongly differentiated from the M135i that’s available in overseas markets. The M2 will feature a unique front-end treatment, large air intakes, a wider track and wider rear fenders, as well as a rear spoiler and four exhaust finishers. The expected change in nomenclature from 1-series coupe to 2-series would fall in line with the rest of BMW’s offerings, recently adopted by the separation of the 3-series sedan and the 4-series coupe. Moreover, it allows BMW to give it a traditional M name. With the history of the M1 mid-engined supercar, the previous-gen 1-series M received a rather clunky title; M2 would work quite nicely. The M2 will be available only in coupe form; there are no plans for another body style.

Why It Matters: As a powerful rear-wheel-drive compact coupe with a manual transmission, the M2 is set to hit all the right buttons. Not only will it be the successor to the much-loved 1-series M, it would be the spiritual heir to the 2002 Turbo of so many years ago. That lineage proved fruitful for BMW, with the Bavarians selling more than 6300 1-series Ms in its single-model-year run. Expect BMW to take advantage of the market’s demand for this sort of vehicle, with volume double that of the 1M’s—so long as the M2’s pricing isn’t absurd, that is. "This car excites everyone around here," we hear from a source at M GmbH.

Platform: The M2 will use BMW's proven compact rear-wheel-drive platform, shared with the current 1-series and similar to that of the 3-series. An all-wheel-drive version of the M2 is possible in theory, but don’t expect one. This platform also means strong potential for cutting-edge telematics and connectivity.

Powertrains: Power likely will come from an upgraded version of BMW's twin-turbo N54 3.0-liter straight-six; an extra-powerful single-turbo N55 3.0-liter straight-six also is a possibility. Figure on output of around 360 hp, rivaling the upcoming Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG and CLA45 AMG. Whichever six-cylinder BMW decides on, it will be mated to a six-speed manual, with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic as a possible option. Top speed will be governed at 155 mph, but theoretical top speed will be around 180 mph. The 0-to-60 sprint, we’re told, should take around 4.5 seconds.

Competition: Audi RS3, Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG, Volkswagen Golf R.

Estimated Arrival: While the standard 2-series will be launched in early 2014, the M2 won't appear until later that year or early 2015.



They took a F20 1 series hatchback and chopped some existing M model parts onto it for this render. But the 2 series spy pics already look different - especially the front end:

[ozinaldo]

If everything happens as it is written here then it will be a 2015 1M in a new suit which may or not be that great depending on the suit.

[blacknbean]

n54 M2? do want!

[TheBingoBalls]

Awful render. Could've used more creativity in trying to at least make it look plausible even if it is just a render. F10 M5 bits? Come on now...

[pow]

thank you for fixing those ugly headlights
Now the 1series starts to look like a car.

[Rob///M5]

Originally Posted by 宝马.e90

Awful render. Could've used more creativity in trying to at least make it look plausible even if it is just a render. F10 M5 bits? Come on now...

+1

[amdmaxx]

It will be best BMW move yet to keep inline 6 with Turbo(s) in M2!!
360hp is an excellent number with matching torque numbers..
Keep it light.... keep inline 6 - winning formula..

[turbowolfe]

Interesting that there is no mention of a turbo 4cyl as a powertrain option from this post.

Regardless I am excited!

[wdeerfield]

We all know the headlights will meet the grill. Thats the trend they are moving towards with new models. I like the idea of the m2, curious to see the pricing. Probably on par with the e46m3. Give us an m2gc xdrive!

[amdmaxx]

thats good news.. AMG can keep their 4 banger.. Nothing beats inline 6 smoothness

Originally Posted by turbowolfe

Interesting that there is no mention of a turbo 4cyl as a powertrain option from this post.

Regardless I am excited!

[CUTigers]

Originally Posted by turbowolfe

Interesting that there is no mention of a turbo 4cyl as a powertrain option from this post.

Regardless I am excited!

I don't see the M2 using a 4 cyl, when BMW has many better options for an M car. Not the gas saver motor

[G2G]

like the look of it, but not aggressive enough for a real M!
i wonder how it will really turn out....

[Zebra99]

M2 with 360hp sounds good to me

Definitely a contender...I wonder if they would make it in convertible form. And if they use the new reworked N55 M4 engine (maybe a detuned version) that will definitely kick ass!

I'm down to see more - fits my schedule of when I get my next car

[Karazy]

Very, very cool! I doubt it will look like this with the M5 hardware and all, but the M2 idea sounds like a winner if weight is kept in check & price is realistic. May even lure me away from my M4 dreams...

[Mark's M]

Originally Posted by ozinaldo

If everything happens as it is written here then it will be a 2015 1M in a new suit which may or not be that great depending on the suit.

With due respect to the 1M owners out there, BMW M isn't in the habit of lessening the brand appeal (and performance) of successive ///M models(and I mean true ///M models). The 1M was put together relatively quickly and turned out to be a fabulous car. The M2 will have a longer development time and the results are bound to be....even better than fabulous!! And this includes the design which, according to the spy photos and NOT some of the bad renderings), will hold true to the 1 er formula.

[GT1281]

Originally Posted by 宝马.e90

Awful render. Could've used more creativity in trying to at least make it look plausible even if it is just a render. F10 M5 bits? Come on now...

Car & Loser at its best! A little more creativity would have been nice. There are a bunch of members on here that could have done ten times better work them that.

[seventy5]

Originally Posted by Rob///M5

+1

+1

[Mark's M]

As pointed out a couple of posts above, most of the renders are awful. This one isn't. If the M2, as Scott26 aludes, is close to this....it's going to be a long, long wait!!

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

We all know the headlights will meet the grill. Thats the trend they are moving towards with new models. I like the idea of the m2, curious to see the pricing. Probably on par with the e46m3. Give us an m2gc xdrive!

I highly doubt the headlights will meet the grill.

We'll see soon enough.

[ts61gogo]

The headlights will most definitely not meet the kidneys. Making such a facelift would probably cost too much. A little retouch on the headlamps and I'm sure that the 1er/2er (which is a beautiful car even with those ugly headlights) will look even better.

[twin fed]

Originally Posted by Mark's M

As pointed out a couple of posts above, most of the renders are awful. This one isn't. If the M2, as Scott26 aludes, is close to this....it's going to be a long, long wait!!

I'll take one please!!

[ozinaldo]

Originally Posted by Mark's M

With due respect to the 1M owners out there, BMW M isn't in the habit of lessening the brand appeal (and performance) of successive ///M models(and I mean true ///M models). The 1M was put together relatively quickly and turned out to be a fabulous car. The M2 will have a longer development time and the results are bound to be....even better than fabulous!! And this includes the design which, according to the spy photos and NOT some of the bad renderings), will hold true to the 1 er formula.

Hopefully, so we could all go and buy one to company the elder brother 1M in the garage

Having said that, I am not among the BMW fans who think that every newer BMW or M model have to be better than the previous. Examples: My favourite M3 to date is E46 M3, especially the CSL. My favourite M5 is E39. And I believe most beautiful BMWs are 507 roadster and Z8 while most unconventional was Z1, in short, you never know what happens with a new model, I am not crazy about F20 and overall BMW styling trend and let's wait and see. If it comes out great I and many 1M owners will be among the first to celebrate (most probably by means of buying one) since we are just crazy for smaller M models by definition, just have a look at my avatar!

Still, after reading the quoted C&D article two times, word by word I couldn't see anything that we don't already have there (other than the "suit" and blue color).

Fingers crossed like everybody else.