You've likely already read our full review of the BMW M2 in the magazine or on CAR+, but this week we were given the chance to drive it in UK specification for the first time.
For reasons we don't entirely understand the opportunity took place in southern Spain, but these UK-plated, right-hand drive cars gave us a taste of the vehicles you'll be seeing in dealerships very soon.
Considering buying one? The UK is the second-biggest market for M cars worldwide, so you'd better get in there quick: the current allocation is 1900 cars and they're pretty much all already spoken for. That's a bit of a shame, considering just how much fun the M2 is.
The not-so-difficult DCT decision
The car you receive very much depends on the gearbox you choose. As standard you get a six-speed manual borrowed from the M235i, albeit one worked over by the M division. Key changes include a new dry sump for its oil, different gear ratios, and modifications to other internal components in the gearbox ? which are designed to improve the gear shift.
The resulting shift action is a dramatic improvement on the vague, notchy sensation becoming more and more prevalent in BMW cars these days. There's still an element of lateral play in the gear lever, but it's clear this gearbox is no afterthought. Its shift feels solid and precise, which makes snicking through the cogs a joy.
In direct contrast to the Porsche Boxster, the M2's gearing is very short, resulting in lots of revs (and associated exhaust noise) in sixth when travelling at motorway pace. It's a small price to pay, though; across country, when you're rifling through the gears at the vast rate of knots, this on-the-boil feel simply bolsters the M2's addictive nature.
Heel-and-no...
Just like the Boxster, there's a rev-matching programme that blips the throttle when you change down (aping heel-and-toe), keeping the car stable and avoiding driveline snatch. Also, like the 718, you can only cancel this when you switch all the electronic assistance off. Obviously we had to do that to see what the raw experience was all about.
The resulting blast was a truly memorable experience. Rarely do we drive cars with such an accessible and enjoyable chassis. Think GT86 on steroids here: it's a car that positively pines for oversteer at every corner.
Thanks to the talkative front end (when did electronically assisted steering get so feelsome?) you always know what's going on, which affords you the confidence to employ your right foot liberally. There's a microsecond of understeer when you initially lean on the strengthened chassis, but that's easily fixed with the loud pedal.
Although the straight-six has a relatively basic twin-scroll blower, throttle response is incredibly sharp, and the electronically controlled rear diff ? which ranges from being fully open to 100% locked ? pushes the rear end around in a predictable and measured fashion. It eggs you on, breaking traction in a wonderfully progressive manner. All of this is aided by the 19-inch Michelin Pilot Supersports designed specifically for the M2.
Along with its sideways talents, if you want to drive it quickly and cleanly that's possible too. The driving controls reward smooth and considered inputs, the pedals are beautifully spaced and the seats snug but comfortable.
I bet you've got to spec it to the nines?
Unlike most BMWs, optional extras aren't really something the M2 needs. Our wishlist includes just two items, both dealer-fit from the M Performance catalogue: an Alcantara steering wheel (?649 - it'll wear out quicker than the standard leather one, but it's a nicer thing to hold) and a set of manually adjustable dampers.
The latter (?2221.92) can be tweaked for height, bump and rebound, offering the option of tailoring a set-up to your driving style or specific situations such as trackdays.
Not that the M2 needs any help in the suspension department. Its blend of ride and handling is imperious for a car of this type. Sure, we've yet to try it in the UK, but some of the roads around Malaga are just as poorly-maintained and damaged.
A comfy ride
The remarkable thing is how compliant it is. We were able to keep our foot firmly planted on the go-pedal on surfaces that would have unsettled almost any other performance car ? including the M3/M4 combo. The damping is exceptional, tracking straight and true no matter which lumps and bumps are throw into its path. Off-camber corners with potholes followed by expansion joints? No worries. It eats them up.
There are no character-shifting adaptive dampers here, so nowhere for the chassis to hide, and M Division's team have done a stellar job.
For those who want or need it, there is a twin-clutch seven-speed DCT available, which costs ?2645. This is probably the one you want if you're using the M2 as a daily driver. We didn't enjoy driving it quite so much because having already sampled the manual, we knew there was so much we were missing out on by letting the car do the cog-swapping.
That said, you do get launch control and the unashamedly titled (and track-only, officer) Smokey Burnout Mode thrown in to sweeten the deal ? and the car has far better motorway manners thanks to its extra ratios.
Verdict
If you're one of the lucky people who have secured an M2, you're not going to be disappointed regardless of your chosen spec. The drivers' choice is the manual gearbox, but go auto and you're not going to complain.
Either way it's an exciting, engaging and incredibly desirable car that flatters you yet won't let you down if you fancy a bit of fun. And we do. Regularly.
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-reviews/bmw/bmw-m2-2016-review/