Just when it seems that our blood pressure is returning to normal, someone posts another photo or video of a car that doesn't yet exist: the BMW F87 M2.
We have seen spy shots and videos of the heavily camouflaged prototype before, so here it is again undergoing testing at the Nürburgring's Nordschleife—this time with a little less camouflage. More apparent are obvious M features such as the aggressive front fascia—still with disguised intakes—quad tailpipes, and the rear spoiler.
We're not sure if the trailer hitch spotted on the test car will be available as an option on the production version, but we think a great many driving-school enthusiasts would love to have it for their track-tire trailers.
Industry analysts speculate that the M2 will have much of the new technology that has already appeared on the M3 and M4. This would only be fair, as many enthusiasts will consider the new M2 to be the rightful heir to the original two-door (mostly) M3 line, mainly because it is smaller and lighter than the M3/M4.
The M2, when it arrives, is expected to have a turbocharged engine with power output around 360 to 370 horsepower, which would place it squarely between the M3/M4 and the M235i Coupe.
We have no way to know what the car will cost, but, like its horsepower, it will probably end up somewhere between the price of an M235i Coupe (base price $44,900) and an M3/M4 (base price of the M3 is $62,000). Would a new M2 priced somewhere in the low $50k's be attractive? We won't know the price or the motoring public's reaction to it for probably another year.
In the absence of any official announcements from BMW, the new M2 is expected to go on sale somewhere in the world in Spring of 2016. Let's hope they make it worth the wait.
Enjoy the video.—Scott Blazey
[Photos and video courtesy of Cvdijden via YouTube.]
