The BMW M2 might be the smallest member of BMW's M division, but it packs such a mighty punch that it might be all the sports car you ever need.
Launched in South Africa this week at a price of R791 000 for the six-speed manual and R841 900 for the seven-speed M-DCT, BMW's baby monster is an enticing mixture of BMW M235i and M4 parts.
It's incredibly quick too, with BMW claiming a 4.3 second 0-100km/h sprint for the DCT version (4.5 seconds in the case of the manual). Power comes from a 3-litre straight-six that pushes 272kW at 6500rpm and 465Nm at 465Nm at 1400 - 5560rpm, with 500Nm being available for short bursts during overboost.
As we've come to expect by now, BMW's M gurus are every bit as obsessed with cornering prowess as straight-line speed and to that end, the M2 inherits its aluminium front and rear axles from the M4 and is fitted with an electronically controlled 'Active M' differential. The M2 is also fitted with 18-inch alloys on mix-size tyres, M compound brakes and specially-tuned 'M Servotronic' steering.
M Division design bits adorn the exterior and cabin of the newcomer, with unique sports seats, steering wheel and gearshift lever setting the right kind of tone inside.
But what's it like? Jesse Adams got to know it around the Laguna Seca racetrack earlier this year. Read his impressions HERE.