As Donald Trump would no doubt attest, size isn’t everything. The best things come in small packages. It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.
What we’re trying to say is that if you want a fast fun car, you don’t need to go out and buy a Aston Martin, McLaren or a Lambo.
Actually, if there’s one group of cars that we really love here in the Square Mile office, it’s the small, quick ones. If you’re in a big lump, it’s all too easy to sit back and cruise along listening to Classic FM. However, settle behind the wheel of a pocket rocket and it’s mayhem with Guns ‘n Roses blasting out. Small cars are just such terrific fun to chuck around. Mate that throwability with a hunky engine and, bingo, it’s party time.
All of which perfectly sums up the BMW M2. Unless you need a stack of interior space for five adults or a family, there is absolutely no point in going any further up the BMW M range. Everything you could possibly wish for is wrapped up in this handsome – in a butch sort of way – package.
The engine is a stunner. It’s a 3.0 litre, turbocharged, six-cyclinder, petrol unit developing 365bhp. The power range is available from around 1,500rpm. Sixth gear is a fairly long-legged affair to help with economy, (33.2mpg) but in the lower gears the acceleration is terrific with 0-60 taking 4.5 seconds. Top speed is limited to 155mph, sadly for track-dayers.
The M2 comes alive on country lanes or where there is the opportunity to point and squirt.
You can also go for an automatic. Generally, we’d always plump for the manual box purely because it seems to be more fun in this type of car, but the double-clutch auto transmission provides spontaneous acceleration and sharper performance with 0-60mph a shade quicker at 4.3 seconds. Economy is also improved with the auto at 35.8mpg.
The one minor disappointment is the sound. OK, there’s the typical six-cylinder rumble, but it’s not delivered with sufficient volume. You can opt for a sports exhaust which allows you, via Bluetooth, to adjust the volume. You’ll want that.
Compared to other models in the BMW 2 Series range, the M2 has a longer and wider wheelbase to improve handling. The ride is firm but never harsh. It’s a shame that variable dampers aren’t available because, at times, on a long journey any sort of ride can be a tad waring. However, at motorway speeds everything settles nicely.
The M2 comes alive on country lanes or where there is the opportunity to point and squirt. Make full use of the rev range and the gearbox, and the M2 is enormous fun. It is one of the most rewarding and entertaining small cars around. There’s loads of grip up front and, even though there is a mountain of power going through the rear wheels, you need to do something really stupid to make it step out of line.
The starting price for the BMW M2 is £44,070 (£46,580 for the auto version). In terms of kit, you get everything that you sensibly need although there are plenty of options to customise your M2. Sat nav, DAB, Bluetooth, USB connections, sports seats, tyre pressure monitors and rear parking sensors all come as standard.
As you’d expect, build quality is excellent. The interior is very stylish if slightly understated. We don’t mind that; it’s better than being all shouty.
Outside, things are very different. The skirts and body mouldings certainly make the M2 stand out in the car park. It’s aggressive and looks terrific.
The BMW M2 is a true driver’s car. If you are the sort of person who will quite happily hop into a car and go out for a drive purely for pleasure, then the M2 is right up your street. It oozes fun and desirability.
For more info, visit bmw.co.uk
