BMW M2 production gets underway in Leipzig

BMW M2 production gets under way

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Production of the BMW M2 – the effective replacement for the 1-Series M Coupe – has started in Leipzig ahead of an April 2016 arrival in BMW showrooms.

It’s only a week since the new BMW M2 was officially revealed, but BMW are wasting no time putting it in to production, with the first M2s already starting to roll off the production line at BMW’s plant in Leipzig.

Unsurprisingly, the very first M2 off the production line is finished in the M2’s launch colour – Long Beach Blue – although rolling on behind are other M2s in Alpine White, Sapphire Black and Mineral Grey.

Perhaps more surprisingly than the colour of the M2s is the fact that, despite its substantial differences with the more run of the mill 2 Series, the M2 is built on the same production line, surrounded by the other BMWs built at Leipzig – the full 2 Series and 1 Series range, plus the i3 and i8.

Those difference include a more aggressive look with big sills, big wheel arches, big alloys, big air intakes and an engine that may not be bigger – it’s the 3.0 litre straight six – but comes with 364bhp and, with the DCT ‘box, delivers enough oomph to get to 62mph in 4.3 seconds.

But although the new M2 is already in production, it’s going to be April 2016 before it arrives in BMW’s UK showrooms, costing from £44,070.

And, as far as we can tell – and despite rumours to the contrary – it seems the M2 is a full production model with no limit on production.