Blast-off In M2 Competition

FIRST DRIVE Our verdict as BMW upgrades two-door thriller with 404bhp engine from M4

- James Disdale

ON the surface, the BMW M2 Competition looks like a lightly fettled version of the standard coupé. Yet while tweaked versions of the brand’s previous high-performance M cars have benefited from little more than a small power hike and some minor mods, the new M2 has been given a root and branch overhaul.

The biggest change comes under the bonnet, where the M2’s old straight-six has been replaced by the motorsport developed engine from the M4.

This new motor is far more focused, featuring twin turbos, a bespoke six-into one exhaust system and a heavy-duty cooling set-up. The results are startling, with power up from 365bhp to 404bhp, and torque swelling by 50Nm to 550Nm.

Of course, power is nothing without control, so the engineers have upgraded the chassis to match. The bodyshell has been stiffened and the rear suspension gets stronger ball joints. The rest of the calibration has been left untouched and there are still no adaptive dampers.