2019 BMW M2

The 2019 BMW M2 Competition is a revised version of BMW's smallest performance car. The updated model uses a detuned version of the S55 turbo inline-six from the BMW M3 and M4. Unlike the old N55, it's a proper M engine, at least as much as that means today. The S55 makes 405 horsepower between 5,230 and 7,000 rpm and 406 pound-feet of torque between 2,350 rpm and 5,230 rpm. It's loud and mean and makes all the sounds you want from a M-tuned car. Other updates for the Competition model (the only one available from 2019 onward) include larger front and rear brakes, new M Sport seats and revised bodywork to help with cooling and aero. With just four options, our tester was fairly lightly equipped. The Hockenheim Silver Metallic paint costs $550, the dual-clutch transmission adds another $2,900 to the price. Our car also had the M Driver's Package, raising the top speed to 174 mph and giving owners a voucher for training at a BMW Performance Center. The last option was the $1,200 Executive Package. It includes a heated steering wheel, adaptive LED headlights, automatic high beams, wireless charging and a wifi hotspot. Road Test Editor Reese Counts: I could go on about the dated, ergonomically-challenged interior or the small backseat or the annoying BMW M shifter that lacks a parking setting (I just turn the car off while the parking brake is on), but none of that really matters. If you care about those things (and you still need that blue and white roundel on the nose), you're better off saving up some money while you wait for the next-gen BMW M4. I had the M2 the weekend of the first real snowfall in southeastern Michigan. As soon as there was a fine layer of the fluffy stuff on the pavement (but before the snow plows were out in full force), I took the winter-tire-equipped M2 out to screw around. The M2 is short and nimble and (relatively) light, and it doesn't take much to get the ass end loose in the snow. It's easy to reel back in, but I was out to have fun. Pull the left shift paddle, crank the wheel and keep your right foot planted. If you have traction and stability control off, you'll get the rear end to kick out in a predictable and controllable manner. It's a hoot. #snowday pic.twitter.com/c1ROPqzJCE — Reese Counts (@rmcounts) February 11, 2019 Associate Editor Joel Stocksdale: I wasn't entirely sure what to expect hopping into the BMW M2 Competition, but I didn't have the highest of hopes. The last BMW M car I was in was the M4, which was pretty fun, but also fairly brutal on metro Detroit streets. Before that, I'd also had some time in the fast but soulless M5. The non-M 2 Series I'd driven was a similarly soulless. Thankfully, the M2 Competition seems to be a different, better beast than all those other Bimmers. Its fat, creased fenders bulging …
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