BMW COUPE CONJURES UP COMFORT IN THE FAST LANE

BMW_M2_frontSports cars generally fall into two camps. On the one hand, performance edge can be dulled by the desire for comfort; on the other, comfort may be sacrificed at the altar of pure power. There is, however, the odd exception to this rule: the BMW M2.

Building on the success of the limited edition BMW 1 Series M coupe brought Down Under in 2011, the new BMW M2 coupe is available in two variants – M2 Pure ($89,900) and M2 ($98,900) – both featuring a 272 kW / 465 Nm 3.0-litre turbo-petrol engine.

Driving through the rear wheels, the M2 Pure’s engine is mated with a six-speed manual gearbox, this was the car we tested. The M2 uses a seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission (M DCT) with Drivelogic and Integrated Launch Control function.

STYLING
Dominating the front, flanked by updated BMW twin circular bi-xenon headlights is the trademark BMW kidney grille with double black vertical bars designed to reflect the design of the M double-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels.

Large air intakes point to the car’s wide stance, at the same time, boosting aerodynamics and engine cooling through a combination of trapezoidal blades and outer air curtains.

Airflow is guided around the car helping to reduce drag by five per cent and lift by 35 per cent compared with the 2 Series coupe. The result is improved balance at higher speeds.

In profile, wide flared wheel arches are connected by a line that runs through to the expansive rear end with L-shaped taillights. There’s understated boot-lid spoiler and rear bumper incorporating a diffuser above characteristic M quad circular tailpipes.

A driver-focused cabin features Dakota leather upholstery, Alcantara door trims and carbon fibre trim details. Heated front sports seats complete the fitout.

BMW brand highlights include leather wrapped three-spoke M sports steering wheel with paddle shifters, M logos on the gearshift lever and door sills, and special M2 dials and needles with a speedo running to 300 km/h and a rev counter topping out at 8000 rpm.

BMW_M2_rear

INFOTAINMENT
Navigation system Professional, HiFi audio system with DAB+ tuner, full Bluetooth connectivity are all on hand, while BMW ConnectedDrive driver assistance includes a comprehensive suite of services and apps.

With its built-in SIM card, there’s access to internet and BMW Concierge services; automated transmission of service related data through BMW TeleServices; traffic information; an emergency call function; remote app functions such as locking / unlocking; ventilation control; headlight flash, and Google local search and send-to-car function.

Through BMW ConnectedDrive, the M2 coupe also offers integrated GoPro and M Lap timer apps that enable recording of data and video directly through the car’s iDrive Controller. These can then be viewed on an 8.8-inch colour display.

The M2 Pure also features full Bluetooth connectivity for audio streaming and safe hands-free phone calls and a high quality HiFi audio system with DAB+ digital radio and USB and auxiliary inputs.

The top-of-the-range M2 features even more advanced technology for comfort, convenience and entertainment including keyless Comfort Access system, adaptive headlights with high beam assist, electric adjustment and heating for the M sport front seats, alarm system and a Harman/Kardon Surround Sound audio.

BMW_M2_interior

ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
Making use of a TwinScroll turbocharger, high precision fuel injection, Double-Vanos variable camshaft timing and Valvetronic variable valve control, the engine produces maximum power of 272 kW at 6500 rpm and peak torque of 465 Nm from 1400 rpm to 5560 rpm, with an overboost function pushing torque to 500 Nm for a few seconds when required, it comes in between 1450 and 4750 revs.

When mated to the seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission the engine enables the M2 coupe to hit 100 km/h from rest in just 4.3 seconds. It’s slower, at 4.5 seconds, when combined with the six-speed manual gearbox as on our test car.

The latest iteration of BMW EfficientDynamics plays its part in fuel economy with auto start / stop, brake energy regeneration and intelligent energy management of auxiliaries such as coolant pump, air-conditioning compressor and electric power steering.

SAFETY
BMW M2 coupe fitted with six airbags, rear-view camera, rear park distance control, and dynamic stability control incorporating anti-lock brakes, cornering brake control, dynamic brake control, dry-brake function and compensation to prevent fading.

There’s lane departure warning and collision and pedestrian warnings with city braking function and cruise control with braking function.

DRIVING
The BMW M2 would not pretend to be anything but a 2+2. The small back seats are sporty looking units that individually fold to increase the cargo carrying capacity. Our test car was able to carry two good-size suitcases on a trip to the airport.

Electric power steering is tuned with M-specific characteristics that control the level of assistance according to the car’s speed with two settings, Comfort and Sport / Sport+, that allow the driver to add a personal preference.

BMW M2 coupe provides agility, precision and control on the road thanks to sports suspension, dual-mode electric power steering, an active M differential and dynamic stability control. The test car had 19-inch alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres; 245/35 ZR 19s on the front and wider 265/35 ZR 19s at the rear.

Those who are chasing a rush on a racetrack an M Dynamic Mode reduces the DSC, resulting in some rear wheel slip and potential oversteer to carry out controlled drifting. This is activated automatically when the Sport+ mode is selected, or by a push of the DSC button on the centre console.

To get the very best out of their car, all M vehicle buyers can tap into a complimentary day at the BMW Driving Experience. We have sampled this and highly recommend it.

High performance M compound brakes with blue painted four piston callipers at the front and two-piston callipers on the rear rein in the coupe hard and have with impressive heat and fade resistance.

The maker claims a combined urban / highway fuel consumption figure of 7.9 L/100km and carbon dioxide emissions of 185 g/km compares with the test car’s 6.1 L/100km on the open road and up to 15 L/100km in city traffic.

SUMMING UP
The BMW M2 coupe provides a comprehensive race-bred sports car experience for the driver, coupled with comfort and convenience for all passengers to share. It’s a pleasing addition to BMW’s cohort of coupes.

AT A GLANCE

MODEL RANGE
BMW M2 Pure coupe: $89,900 BMW M2 coupe: $98,900
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local BMW dealer for drive-away prices.

FEATURES
M Sports Suspension
Driving Experience Control
M Dynamic Mode
Active M Differential
Adaptive Headlights
ConnectedDrive GoPro and M Lap timer apps

(M2 Pure)
Climate control
Cruise control with braking function
Rear Park Distance Control
Rear View Camera
HiFi sound system with DAB+ digital radio
Satellite Navigation
Lane Departure Warning
Collision and pedestrian warnings with City Braking function

(M2)
Adaptive Headlights
Keyless Comfort Access
Heated front seats
Harman/Kardon Surround Sound

SPECIFICATIONS (BMW M2 Coupe 3.0-litre M TwinPower turbo-petrol)

ENGINE:
Capacity: 2.979 litres
Configuration: Six cylinders in line
Maximum Power: 272 kW @ 6500 rpm
Maximum Torque: 465 Nm @ 1400-5560 rpm / 500 Nm @ 1450-4750 rpm
Fuel Type: Petrol 98 RON
Combined Fuel Cycle (ADR 81/02): 7.9 L/100km
CO2 Emissions: 199 g/km

DRIVELINE: Six-speed manual (7-speed Dual Clutch with Drivelogic)

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4468 mm
Wheelbase: 2693 mm
Width: 1854 mm
Turning Circle: 10.9 metres
Fuel Tank Capacity: 52 litres

BRAKES:
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Ventilated disc

STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years / 100,000 km

About Derek Ogden

On graduating with an honours degree in applied science in London, Derek Ogden worked for the BBC in local radio and several British newspapers as a production journalist and writer. Derek moved to Australia in 1975 and worked as a sub-editor with The Courier Mail and Sunday Mail in Brisbane, moving to the Gold Coast Bulletin in 1980 where he continued as a production journalist. He was the paper's motoring editor for more than 20 years, taking the weekly section from a few pages at the back of the book to a full-colour liftout of up to 36 pages. He left the publication in 2009.
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