First glimpse of 168mph BMW M2 15 | 10 | 2015

THIS IS OUR first glimpse of BMW's new M2, the indirect successor to the short-lived 1 Series M Coupé. The newcomer — which will go head-to-head against the likes of the Porsche Cayman, Audi RS3 and Mercedes-AMG A45 — will go on sale in Scotland next April. Prices will start at £44,070.

Priced at £12,520 below the larger and more powerful M3, the new M2 — which will be launched only in a coupé bodystyle — becomes the lowest price entry model into BMW's hallowed M car line up.

The M2 is also the smallest of the current M car range. At 4468mm in length, 1854mm wide and 1410mm tall, it is 202mm shorter, 21mm narrower and 10mm lower than the M3. It also has a wheelbase that is 117mm shorter than that of the M3, at 2693mm.

Powered by a turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder unit, which has been heavily reworked by M division engineers, it delivers 365bhp through its rear wheels.

There will be the choice of a standard six-speed manual gearbox featuring a throttle-blip function, or an optional seven-speed DCT dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

The latter comes with the choice of both manual and automatic modes, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ driving modes, launch control and a so-called Smoky Burnout function, which allows wheelspin off the line.

The heavier DCT gearbox increases the kerb weight by 25kg to 1520kg. As on all M cars, an electronic limited-slip M-differential, with a fully variable locking effect, is standard.

According to BMW, when fitted with the standard manual gearbox, the M2 accelerates from 0-62mph in 4.5sec: with the DCT fitted, a lower first gear ratio and the effectiveness of the launch control, that drops to 4.3sec. Top speed is electronically restricted to 155mph, but buyers can specify a driver’s package which raises it to 168mph.

Related: Roadtest — Porsche Macan S

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Jim McGill