Though we have yet to see the new 2016 BMW M2 Coupe 
in the metal, we know the performance compact 
is due to be revealed in October, 2015. We also know it will be an awesome coupe that will basically mark the return of the iconic 2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe . All told, there are plenty of things to get excited about with the upcoming M2 Coupe. However, if we are to believe a new rumor that just surfaced the Interwebz, the M2 won’t be the most hardcore incarnation of the 2 Series .
in the metal, we know the performance compact is due to be revealed in October, 2015. We also know it will be an awesome coupe that will basically mark the return of the iconic 2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe . All told, there are plenty of things to get excited about with the upcoming M2 Coupe. However, if we are to believe a new rumor that just surfaced the Interwebz, the M2 won’t be the most hardcore incarnation of the 2 Series .
According to BMW insider Scott26 from Bimmerpost, BMW is planning an even lighter and more track-focused version of the M2. There’s no word as to when this hardcore M2 will arrive, but it appears it will wear a CSL badge. The CSL moniker dates back to the BMW E9. Built between 1968 and 1975 and considered the predecessor of the 6 Series, the E9, also known as the New Six CS, spawned the 1975 BMW 3.0 CSL 
, a homologation special built to make the coupe eligible for racing in the European Touring Car Championship. The CSL arrived in 1972 and it is now regarded as one of the most collectible Bimmers in history.
insider Scott26 from Bimmerpost, BMW is planning an even lighter and more track-focused version of the M2. There’s no word as to when this hardcore M2 will arrive, but it appears it will wear a CSL badge. The CSL moniker dates back to the BMW E9. Built between 1968 and 1975 and considered the predecessor of the 6 Series, the E9, also known as the New Six CS, spawned the 1975 BMW 3.0 CSL , a homologation special built to make the coupe eligible for racing in the European Touring Car Championship. The CSL arrived in 1972 and it is now regarded as one of the most collectible Bimmers in history.
The name returned in 2004, when BMW built a limited-edition model based on the E46 M3, called the 2004 BMW M3 CSL . It employed many weight-saving technologies and an upgraded engine and chassis.
Updated 09/08/2015: Based on the recent rumors and speculations, we decided to create a rendering for the upcoming BMW M2 CSL to help you make an idea on how it will look like. We hope you like it!
. It employed many weight-saving technologies and an upgraded engine and chassis.Updated 09/08/2015: Based on the recent rumors and speculations, we decided to create a rendering for the upcoming BMW M2 CSL to help you make an idea on how it will look like. We hope you like it!
SOURCE: TOPSPEED
Exterior
Note: 2016 BMW M2 spyshot.
Though upcoming M2 is still a camouflaged prototype as of this writing, the coupe’s design isn’t much of a mystery. With the 2014 BMW M235i already on the streets, we know the M2 will sport a more aggressive body kit with styling cues taken from the M4. Specifically, look for larger intakes in the front bumper, beefed-up fenders, a quad-pipe exhaust, and black-painted, 19-inch wheels. The M2 CSL should feature all of the above, but also include a number of aerodynamic improvements and styling add-ons that will make it stand out in the 2 Series lineup.
already on the streets, we know the M2 will sport a more aggressive body kit with styling cues taken from the M4. Specifically, look for larger intakes in the front bumper, beefed-up fenders, a quad-pipe exhaust, and black-painted, 19-inch wheels. The M2 CSL should feature all of the above, but also include a number of aerodynamic improvements and styling add-ons that will make it stand out in the 2 Series lineup.
CSL-specific features are likely to include a larger carbon-fiber front splitter, mildly revised front air dams, new side skirts, a race-inspired carbon-fiber rear diffuser, and a bigger trunk-lid spoiler. A set of bespoke wheels are also on the table, probably wrapped in semi-slick racing tires.
Interior
Note: BMW M235i interior shown.
The interior of the M2 will of course be a tad sportier than the M235i’s and include bolstered sports seats, a sports steering wheel, and a custom instrument cluster. The CSL package will turn the cabin into a race-inspired cockpit with a lighter pair of front bucket seats, lightweight rear seats, a motorsport-spec steering wheel with fewer buttons, and lots of carbon-fiber elements, including the door panels and center console.
Drivetrain
Note: BMW M235i engine bay shown.
While the output of the upcoming M2 is still a mystery, I do know for a fact that the engine under its hood will be same twin-turbo, 3.0-liter inline-six offered in both the M235i (in single-turbo guise) and the 2015 BMW M4 . With the M2’s output expected to sit at around 365 horsepower, 45 horses more than the M235i, the M2 CSL should benefit from more than that, but not by much. A 380-horsepower output seems likely and it would be more than enough considering the CSL will be lighter than the M2. How much lighter is also a mystery, but given the M235 weighs in at 3,505 pounds and the M2 could tip the scales at around 3,450 pounds, I wouldn’t be surprised to see BMW shave another 100 pounds for a 3,350-pound M2 CSL. If this turns out to be true, the M2 CSL could be a whopping 180 pounds lighter than the M4 .
. With the M2’s output expected to sit at around 365 horsepower, 45 horses more than the M235i, the M2 CSL should benefit from more than that, but not by much. A 380-horsepower output seems likely and it would be more than enough considering the CSL will be lighter than the M2. How much lighter is also a mystery, but given the M235 weighs in at 3,505 pounds and the M2 could tip the scales at around 3,450 pounds, I wouldn’t be surprised to see BMW shave another 100 pounds for a 3,350-pound M2 CSL. If this turns out to be true, the M2 CSL could be a whopping 180 pounds lighter than the M4 .
The added power and lowered curb weight will have a dramatic impact on the coupe’s performance. The sprint from 0 to 60 mph could be as quick as 4.3 seconds. That’s a half-second quicker than the M235i and likely 0.3 second faster than the M2.
Rumor has it the CSL could also make use of the e-boost system demonstrated on the CSL Hommage concept, but there aren’t any actual details to substantiate that at this point.
Prices
There’s no doubt that the M2 CSL will become the most expensive 2 Series if it becomes a reality. With the upcoming BMW M2 likely to be priced somewhere between the $44,150 M235i and the $65,400 M4, the M2 CSL could start from nearly $60,000. Though that may be a bit too close to the M4’s pricing, the power-to-weight ratio and the amount of carbon-fiber in the M2 CSL could justify such a sticker.
likely to be priced somewhere between the $44,150 M235i and the $65,400 M4, the M2 CSL could start from nearly $60,000. Though that may be a bit too close to the M4’s pricing, the power-to-weight ratio and the amount of carbon-fiber in the M2 CSL could justify such a sticker.Competition
2016 PORSCHE CAYMAN GT4
It may seem strange to throw in a mid-engined sports car with racing skills against a front-engined coupe, but the Cayman GT4 is actually the closest thing to the M2 CSL. Unless Audi or Nissan decide to build hardcore versions of the TT-RS and 370Z Nismo, the M2 CSL will have to prove itself against Porsche’s quickest and most powerful Cayman .
or Nissan decide to build hardcore versions of the TT-RS and 370Z Nismo, the M2 CSL will have to prove itself against Porsche’s quickest and most powerful Cayman .
The GT4 is quite the impressive sports car, thanks to its race-bred underpinnings and 3.8-liter flat-six rated at 385 horsepower and 309 pound-feet of torque. Capable of hitting 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 183 mph, the GT4 should be quicker than the M2 CSL in a straight line, but not by much. On the other hand, the Bimmer won’t stand a chance against the Porsche on a race track, despite its lightweight design. Pricing for the Cayman GT4 starts at $84,600.
Conclusion
As a spiritual successor to the 1M Coupe, which was widely regarded as the best enthusiast car Munich has made in the 21st century, the upcoming M2 should be a blast to drive and a popular choice among BMW fanatics. A CSL version would only make things better and give enthusiasts the BMW they’ve been asking for. The E46 M3 CSL was extremely popular back in the day, and with the current M4 (and maybe even the2016 BMW M4 GTS ) not as appealing to die-hard fans as the previous V-8-powered M3 Coupe, the M2 CSL might just become BMW’s newest "ultimate driving machine." Fingers crossed the CSL is more than just an exciting rumor.
) not as appealing to die-hard fans as the previous V-8-powered M3 Coupe, the M2 CSL might just become BMW’s newest "ultimate driving machine." Fingers crossed the CSL is more than just an exciting rumor.
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ReplyDeleteGreg Prosmushkin