BMW M2 från 2016

What's not to like here? You get significantly more power in a pert package we already fell for - for just two grand more. The BMW M2 Comp makes a lot of sense on paper and in reality. It's a sure-fire future classic (unless you want to hold on for the two-seat M2 GTS in the works, of course). The UK is the second-biggest market for M cars worldwide, so you’d better get in there quick: the initial allocation of regular BMW M2s in the UK was just 1900 cars and they sold out pretty quickly. That’s a bit of a shame, considering just how much fun the M2 is. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

What's not to like here? You get significantly more power in a pert package we already fell for - for just two grand more. The BMW M2 Comp makes a lot of sense on paper and in reality. It's a sure-fire future classic (unless you want to hold on for the two-seat M2 GTS in the works, of course). The UK is the second-biggest market for M cars worldwide, so you’d better get in there quick: the initial allocation of regular BMW M2s in the UK was just 1900 cars and they sold out pretty quickly. That’s a bit of a shame, considering just how much fun the M2 is. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

Praise be, BMW’s given us a proper M driver’s car. The M2 Competition is simply outstanding.

The BMW M2 Competition gets the engine from the M4 and a chassis upgrade, but what's it like to drive?

The BMW M2 is sublime. It is everything we could ever want in a car of this size and price. Its muscular body looks superb, neatly treading a fine line between tasteful and thuggish, while the engine is simply a masterpiece. The handling is spot-on and the cabin is well-equipped, if slightly lacking in quality. Outright performance is there for you to have fun on your own, then there's seating for four and a decent boot when you need something more practical. Sensational yet civilised, the M2 is our favourite car of 2016 so far.