BMW M2 hits the Nurburgring in near production guise

With Audi recently launching the RS 3 Sportback and Mercedes pulling away with strong sales of the CLA 45 AMG, it is no surprised that BMW is once again hitting the Nurburgring circuit with the upcoming M2 coupe.

The highly anticipated successor to the BMW 1M Coupe is due to premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show this year, and the latest prototype seen here is the first to feature the actual M widebody destined for the production model.

Like the 1M Coupe, we can expect the M2 to boast pumped-up wheel fenders, aggressive bumpers and quad-tip exhaust. As previously confirmed, BMW’s smallest M car will be propelled by a newly developed 3.0-litre turbocharged in-line six-cylinder petrol engine punching out as much as 298kW (400bhp).

The M2’s engine will be paired with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, with a seven-speed M-DCT offered as an option. It is said to be even lighter than the 1,530kg M235i Coupé on which it is based. It will reportedly blitz from 0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds when equipped with the twin-clutch transmission, making it a mere 0.3 seconds slower than the M3/M4. Top speed will inevitably be limited to 250km/h.