[///Matthew]

I'm going to need one of these...

[Timberwolf]

...andd you lost me at N55.

[Ritz42]

Originally Posted by Reedomn

why the long piece of camo covering the "M2" badge on the trunk of the orange one?....or is it some other badge?..

It's probably a m235i badged trunk they couldn't be bothered to debadge.

[bimmerjph]

Man, I was really hoping the box fenders would stay!

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by auf Deutsche

N55 pushing 365-375 hp...aka PPK II or PPK plus

I'm not that enthused. I do like the N55/ppk in my 435 but, for a true M car I'm not sure this will suffice, that is unless the curb weight comes in at <3300 which the general consensus says ain't happening.

Honestly...I have to agree. It makes me sad to say that - perhaps I have too much of a tolerance for this relative range of nicely performing BMWs.

My M235 is not a great car - but it is a very good car. It is plenty quick in straight lines, but even in the context of a spirited drive, you can feel the weight and body roll around you. Will better suspension and underpinnings change that? Of course - but without some Slim Fast, the improvement might be neglible.

In order for me to justify the 10K increase in price that I am anticipating, the M2 is going to have to be one special mofo. So far, the info we know about it suggests that it will be very very good - but perhaps not special. I, for one, don't care for the N55. I have had two of them now, and they have left me underwhelmed. The N54 was awesome. If they told me the M2 was coming with a tricked up even more version of that - my attitude would change.

But that's not going to be the case. Most likely, we are going to get the N55, not the S55, with a couple of different ///M badges on it (yes, I am being facetious, but it won't be the total treatment, which is what we want)...to me, this car is becoming harder to shoehorn into the spot that's been set aside for it UNLESS it's significantly better handling than the M235 OR significantly faster. My guess is that the final product will be a little bit of both - which means you pick this car over the M3/4 for looks, size, or economy. Not because it's the best driver's car BMW makes - which is what it should be.

Hoping I am wrong.

[W///]

Originally Posted by Ritz42

What makes you say that? The car is well over a year away, and they just started with the front bumper. What if they work front to back? Or ground up?

Just a hunch. 1 year before SOP is not a lot of time to develop something as big as an entire new CF roof. I sure hope I'm wrong though, that'd actually be a really nice surprise

[Manbnda]

BMW can make a very special thing with this car. CF roof and beautiful wheels to start, and then attention to detail, to make it look like a car that cost what it costs.

[W///]

Originally Posted by ATX78703

I don't understand why it won't be released until late 2015-early 2016. It is essentially a homolgomation between an M235i and a M3/4. This thing should debut in January and be out by the summer.

Unless they're worried it will steal M4 sales... Ahh just found my answer..

That's just not how it works at all in the automotive engineering world. You don't just throw in parts without testing, getting approved, safety and regulation...

The gestation period for a car is not just half a year.

[M3_WC]

It sounds a lot better than the M3/M4, much different exhaust note. Definitely not a S55.

[Colinv6]

I also can't see carbon roof coming on the M2.

We would have seen a camo roof by now surely.

[Colinv6]

Having said that, the F80 looked like this at initial testing, final result looks very different! So it's really too early to say what it's going to look like in detail.

[jzmundy]

I'm anxious to see how BMW differentiates this car from the M235 while mitigating any cannibalization of F8x sales.

[04cobra]

If I didnt live in Minnesota I would consider one of these, probably will just stick with the M235i xDrive.

[Diver]

The body advances, but we see more of it camouflaged.

[Sapper_M3]

Originally Posted by jzmundy

I'm anxious to see how BMW differentiates this car from the M235 while mitigating any cannibalization of F8x sales.

Here's my take: In terms of handling or laptimes, I doubt BMW is too worried about the M2 canibalizing sales from the F80/2. The increased size, luxury, and utility of the F80/2 place it as the "next higher trimline" up from the 335/435. People with the money to afford the new M3/M4 will do it because it 1) it isn't a luxury or utility compromise (which, for these people, the M2 will be, and 2) it's clearly more expensive and exclusive.

For the most part, I believe only real car enthusiasts will be cross-shopping the new M3/M4 with the M2, and the numbers of those people are far, far outweighed by the numbers of big wallet "BMW buyers" who view the M3/M4 as just a better, more expensive 3/4 series.

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by bimmerjph

Man, I was really hoping the box fenders would stay!

I think it's still there just camo is covering it. It will make production because they have all the time to make it just the way they want to this time vs 1M.

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by Colinv6

I also can't see carbon roof coming on the M2.

We would have seen a camo roof by now surely.

Dude they can make a CF Roof in a snap! There is a demand, and BMW can easily supply it, as well as bring it to full reality.

[mikeokimster]

Originally Posted by red-sauerkraut

Dude they can make a CF Roof in a snap! There is a demand, and BMW can easily supply it, as well as bring it to full reality.

Who knows.. there maybe a e9x M3 style non-contoured cf roof beneath that red paint.

[Cope]

You N55 naysayers make for some great entertainment. This is going to be one hell of a car regardless of your biased conjecture.

[shivaswrath]

I'm cross shopping the M4 with the M2...and anxiously awaiting the final engine specs.
I was under the impression they are different engine codes for 2015+...so the N55 or derivative in this engine bay may be pretty different/interesting.

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by bradleyland

Does anyone have any info on the final styling? Are they going to blend the rocker panels better than they do on the M235i Racing?

The problem with the rocker panels is that on the M235i Racing they look if they are stuck on but the route the M2 will take is that of the Vision Gran Turismo for a more seamless application. The overall look is influenced by the M235i Racing but applied like the Vision Gran Turismo. The more M like appearance of the Vision Gran Turismo is carried over to the M2.

[Colinv6]

Scott, has the final decision been made on the carbon roof?