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2016 BMW M2 Arrives With A 365-Hp Chip On Its Shoulder

  • <p>First, the fighting stats: the 3-liter turbo straight six pumps 365 hp at 6,500 rpm, with 369 lb-ft of torque between 1,450 and 4,750 rpm with overboost. The run to 60 mph takes 4.2 seconds with the seven-speed automatic and 4.4 seconds with the six-speed manual—quick for a 3,500-lb. ride.</p>
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    2016 BMW M2 on track

    First, the fighting stats: the 3-liter turbo straight six pumps 365 hp at 6,500 rpm, with 369 lb-ft of torque between 1,450 and 4,750 rpm with overboost. The run to 60 mph takes 4.2 seconds with the seven-speed automatic and 4.4 seconds with the six-speed manual—quick for a 3,500-lb. ride.

  • <p>When paired with the double-clutch automatic, the M2 offers six different driving modes, along with a built-in launch control. All that power routes to 19-inch staggered wheels, wearing custom Michelin Pilot Super Sport rubber.</p>
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    2016 BMW M2 rear shot

    When paired with the double-clutch automatic, the M2 offers six different driving modes, along with a built-in launch control. All that power routes to 19-inch staggered wheels, wearing custom Michelin Pilot Super Sport rubber.

  • <p>As with the 1M, there’s a limited-slip differential on the rear axle to keep all that torque from turning instantly to smoke. New to the M2, the electrically-controlled diff not only can send all of the engine torque to one wheel in 150 milliseconds, but anticipates some wheelspin at launch. When the driver needs some slippage for drifiting, a special Sport+ mode in the stability control loosens its hold just enough for sideways travel.</p>
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    2016 BMW M2 side view

    As with the 1M, there’s a limited-slip differential on the rear axle to keep all that torque from turning instantly to smoke. New to the M2, the electrically-controlled diff not only can send all of the engine torque to one wheel in 150 milliseconds, but anticipates some wheelspin at launch. When the driver needs some slippage for drifiting, a special Sport+ mode in the stability control loosens its hold just enough for sideways travel.

  • <p>This wouldn’t be a German luxury car without a high level of tech inside the cabin. Beyond the requisite Internet access and driver safety aids, the M2 has a GoPro app that helps lap filming, and a M Laptimer app records cornering, acceleration and braking data for educational purposes. (And while the M is limited to 155 mph, the speedometer goes to 200 mph.)</p>
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    2016 BMW M2 interior

    This wouldn’t be a German luxury car without a high level of tech inside the cabin. Beyond the requisite Internet access and driver safety aids, the M2 has a GoPro app that helps lap filming, and a M Laptimer app records cornering, acceleration and braking data for educational purposes. (And while the M is limited to 155 mph, the speedometer goes to 200 mph.)

  • <p>BMW fans can order the M2 in any color as long as its either Long Beach Blue metallic, Alpine White, Black Sapphire metallic and Mineral Grey metallic. Prices will be set closer to launch next spring, although pent-up demand for track-worthy BMW coupes may make the sticker the least-important statistic for a few months. <br></p>
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    2016 BMW M2 engine

    BMW fans can order the M2 in any color as long as its either Long Beach Blue metallic, Alpine White, Black Sapphire metallic and Mineral Grey metallic. Prices will be set closer to launch next spring, although pent-up demand for track-worthy BMW coupes may make the sticker the least-important statistic for a few months.

<p>First, the fighting stats: the 3-liter turbo straight six pumps 365 hp at 6,500 rpm, with 369 lb-ft of torque between 1,450 and 4,750 rpm with overboost. The run to 60 mph takes 4.2 seconds with the seven-speed automatic and 4.4 seconds with the six-speed manual—quick for a 3,500-lb. ride.</p>
<p>When paired with the double-clutch automatic, the M2 offers six different driving modes, along with a built-in launch control. All that power routes to 19-inch staggered wheels, wearing custom Michelin Pilot Super Sport rubber.</p>
<p>As with the 1M, there’s a limited-slip differential on the rear axle to keep all that torque from turning instantly to smoke. New to the M2, the electrically-controlled diff not only can send all of the engine torque to one wheel in 150 milliseconds, but anticipates some wheelspin at launch. When the driver needs some slippage for drifiting, a special Sport+ mode in the stability control loosens its hold just enough for sideways travel.</p>
<p>This wouldn’t be a German luxury car without a high level of tech inside the cabin. Beyond the requisite Internet access and driver safety aids, the M2 has a GoPro app that helps lap filming, and a M Laptimer app records cornering, acceleration and braking data for educational purposes. (And while the M is limited to 155 mph, the speedometer goes to 200 mph.)</p>
<p>BMW fans can order the M2 in any color as long as its either Long Beach Blue metallic, Alpine White, Black Sapphire metallic and Mineral Grey metallic. Prices will be set closer to launch next spring, although pent-up demand for track-worthy BMW coupes may make the sticker the least-important statistic for a few months. <br></p>
Justin Hyde
·Managing Editor

Three years ago, BMW created a sensation with the 1M Coupe — a tiny car with a monsterous 335-hp six-cylinder, a piece of road-going dynamite. For a car that BMW sold just 740 of in the United States, the 1M became a high-water mark for the storied M unit.

Today, BMW tries to recapture some of that glory with a more polished machine it calls the 2016 BMW M2. It too runs a little small, and it too packs a wallop: 365 hp, now from a turbo version of BMW’s esteemed six. And it looks the part. Click through the images above for all the details.