The BMW Motorsport or M Division has been responsible for creating some of the most memorable driving cars in the last 40 years. The now-famous red, blue and purple tricolore may have initially adorned a Giugaro-designed M1 supercar, but since then its primary focus has been offering regular production models with anything but regular performance. 

The BMW M2 is the most affordable M car in the current line-up. Based on the fashion-forward 2-Series Coupe, it features a wider track, beefier brakes, sports suspension and a turbocharged 3-litre petrol engine under the bonnet. Originally released in 2015, it has received a mid-life re-fresh for 2017, including new LED headlight graphics, a redesigned instrument cluster and the inclusion of the latest iDrive infotainment system complete with a touchscreen. That’s all the excuses we needed to go and drive it again.

First Impressions

The BMW M2 isn’t beautiful but, Audi RS3 aside, we can’t think of many small cars that exude such aggressive purpose and poise. Beneath the traditional BMW kidney grille are huge gulping air ducts that scream move. The wheel arches have been blistered and stretched over bigger 19-inch forged alloy wheels, wrapped in Michelin Pilot SuperSports rubber, while quad exhausts help signify performance intent to anybody attempting to follow. The car’s suspension, brakes and variable locking rear differential have all been taken from the M3/M4 gene pool, but the BMW M2 uses a different engine; a 3-litre straigh...