Spy photos are great when we're speculating—or hoping—that BMW is going to produce a new car, but there's nothing like paperwork—or computer data, in this case—for actual proof.
For months we have been tantalized with photos of test versions of the long-awaited BMW M2. A rule of thumb is that the less camouflage that covers the car, the closer the car is to production. These spy shots of what appears to be an M2 testing in Sweden reveal undisguised headlights and tail lights, the kidney grilles, front air intakes, symmetrical twin exhaust pipes, and large vents behind big flared front fenders that clearly show this to be not your ordinary 2 Series.
BMW enthusiasts have lusted for the M2 ever since the limited-production BMW 1M sold out. Speculation has been rampant on which auto show would serve as the M2’s world premiere, and when exactly it would go into production.
Thanks to some great intelligence work by a Bimmerpost member, we believe we are looking at the proof that the M2 will officially go into production and that it will be coming to the U.S. months sooner that expected.
As you can see by Bimmerpost’s screen shot of what appears to be a dealer computer build sheet screen, the M2 is now in U.S. dealers’ computers with an expected production start date of November 2015.
Think about an honest-to-goodness M car that’s close to the size and weight of an E36 but with a turbocharged inline six putting out around 375 horsepower coupled to a manual or DCT transmission with a real M suspension and M brakes and you can understand why the BMW enthusiast community might be excited. Add a possible production date late this year and an early 2016 delivery date and anticipation levels might get downright unbearable.—Scott Blazey
[Build sheet photo courtesy of Bimmerpost. M2 photos courtesy of inautonews.com.]
