BMW M2 revealed, due April 2016

An M-variant of BMW’s 2 Series will go on sale next April priced from £44,070 OTR, £4k more than its immediate Audi RS3 and Mercedes A45 rivals.

At time of writing, personal contract hire (PCH) averaged at £696 for the manual M2 on a 6+35 10k agreement (£753 for the automatic).

For business users, leasing rates average out at £584 and £616 for the manual and auto model respectively.

M2 leasing deals: business / personal 

Powered by a 370bhp three-litre straight-six petrol engine, the M2 can reach 62mph in 4.3 seconds when linked to a seven-speed automatic transmission, which matches the A45 and sits a tenth of a second behind the RS3. The previous quickest 2 Series (M235i) took five seconds to hit 62mph.

Go for the seven-speed auto and that sprint is stretched to 4.5 seconds with top speed electronically limited to 155mph, regardless of transmission.

Producing 370bhp at 6,500rpm, the M2 will rev to 7,000rpm, while torque peaks at 465Nm between 1,400 and 5,560rpm, although an overboost function pushes torque a further 35Nm to 500 Nm between 1,450 and 4,750rpm.

BMW says this means that M2 can deliver “unbeatable driving fun on a racing circuit, yet remain completely civilised in everyday use”.

On a combined cycle, the seven-speed automatic M2 claims to deliver 35.8mpg at 185g/km CO2. This switches to 33.2mpg and 199g/km for the six-speed manual. Either way, that’s short of the A45’s 40.9mpg and two road-tax bands away from its 162g/km CO2 emissions (Band H).

Read our review of the 220d and M235i Convertible

OPINION: BMW’s M Division has lost its way, but the M2 promises to get things back on track

Naturally, the M2 features more unique styling compared to the conventional 2 Series. The front-end gets M emblems on the signature BMW kidney grille, and a large front apron with trapezoidal blades. At the back, there are four tailpipes, horizontal lines in the boot lid and rear apron, the M rear spoiler on the boot lid, and the rear diffuser integrated into the rear apron.

These changes improve aerodynamics and compared to the regular 2 Series Coupe, drag is reduced by 5% and lift by 35%.

Inside, there are black Dakota leather sports seats with blue contrast stitching and an M logo in the backrests while adjustable side bolsters give the driver and front passenger optimum support through fast corners.

M logos also appear on the rev counter, gearshift lever, door sill plates and leather steering wheel.

BMW’s Navigation Professional system comes as standard with the Professional Media Package and Xenon headlights. Customers can choose between four exterior paint finishes: Long Beach Blue metallic (seen in these pictures), Alpine White, Black Sapphire and Mineral Grey.

Find out what we thought of the M2’s rivals:
Mercedes-Benz A 45 AMG, Audi RS3 Sportback

M2 at a glance:

Price: £44,070 OTR
Engine: 3L six-cylinder petrol six-speed manual/seven-speed automatic transmission
0-62mph: 4.5 seconds (manual), 4.3 (auto)
Top speed: 155mph
Fuel economy: 33.2mpg (manual), 35.8mpg (auto)
CO2: 199g/km (manual), 185g/km (auto)
Power output: 370bhp @ 6,500rpm
Torque: 465Nm @ 1,400-5,560rpm (500Nm overboost @ 1,450-4,750rpm)
Wheels: 19-inch
Available: April 2016