That’s right – IT’S BACK! Welcome to the new BMW M2!

It was a sad day when the old M2 Competition went out of production, then we got a taste of what was to come with the fantastic BMW M240i, but it never quite had that full M/// flavour, so we’re extremely excited to see what this new M2 can do!

Whereas the M240i is xDrive only, the new M2 comes out as the performance driver’s choice with only a rear-wheel drive setup and the option of a glorious six-speed manual gearbox. This should be fun…

Powered by the ‘B58’ 3.0 litre turbocharged straight-six engine, the new M2 produces 454bhp (10bhp more than the old limited run M2 CS – and this is the ‘base’ M2!) and 550Nm of torque it can hit 62mph in just 4.1 seconds. Top speed is limited to 155mph or 170mph if you spec the ‘M Driver’s Pack’. The standard gearbox is the fantastic 8spd automatic offering, which is still a brilliant gearbox; it just lacks the mechanical interaction of the slick manual ‘box.

Visually there’s certainly no mistaking the M2 for an ordinary 2-Series. At the front, there’s a unique squared-off grille and huge jutting rectangular intakes on either side of the central radiator intake. This flows out into front wings that are 25mm wider on each side to cover the suspension derived from the M4.

The rear arches are also 25mm wider and look utterly outrageous in their flare, giving serious muscle to the rear three-quarter view, while the rear bumper adds some boxiness like the front end. The diffuser houses the M///-standard quad exhaust tips, which make a fantastic noise even as standard.

Inside, you get the long curved display screen that stretches into the infotainment display, BMW’s latest iDrive8 system and the option of the gorgeous carbon-backed seats from the M3 and M4.

This new M2 really could be the pick of the M/// range; we can’t wait to get behind the wheel!