Premium Compact Performance Car of the Year
BMW M2 Coupe
The M2 Coupe's looks are outright aggressive with boxy elements and sharp lines. And as a true-blue BMW M car, it has the performance to back all that aggression - a detuned version of the 3.0-litre TwinPower Turbo engine from the M3 and M4 finds its way here, putting out 453bhp and 550Nm of torque. With power sent to the rear tyres and razor-sharp chassis tuning, the M2 is an incredibly nimble machine that is fun, exhilarating and always engaging.
Special Features
Verdict
The hallmark of an outstanding performance car is that it will demand a certain level of respect from the driver - play around and the car will likely scare you into submission. And that is exactly what the BMW M2 Coupe conveys.

Being a full-fledged BMW M car, the M2 was engineered to be extremely capable. It is a car that will go really fast - its 3.0-litre straight-six TwinPower Turbo engine that puts out a substantial 453bhp and 550Nm of torque ensures it. Furthermore, BMW has also equipped it with an Active M Differential, and wide rear tyres to put all the power to the ground. Handling affairs are also sorted with suspension components that are shared with the M4 - despite having a shorter wheelbase, the M2 has an identical track width to the M4.

All this engineering has created a beast of a machine, and the best part of it all is that the M2 still manages to be a car that anyone can enjoy. The entire dashboard and most of the interior is almost identical to the M4, which means that sitting behind the steering wheel is a large curved display that houses a 12.3-inch digital cluster and a 14.9-inch touchscreen powered by BMW Operating System 8.

USB ports, wireless charging, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity are all available on this hot performance coupe. In fact, there’s even sufficient legroom in the rear to accommodate adults. Couple the amenities and space that the M2 Coupe offers with its good insulation and supple ride quality, and it is clear that the M2 is something that you can live with on a daily basis.

The M2 is a car that will make you feel like a superstar thanks to its power and sheer performance. But you should always respect a powerful car such as it - it might appear easy to drive for the most part, but it will take much more skill and finesse to realise the true potential of the M2. By combining usable daily comfort with blistering track-potential, the M2 is our premium compact performance car of the year.