BMW’s big show-stopper this year is the 2016 BMW M2 coupe. The 1M set BMW’s foothold in the market for small, high-performance sports cars. This new generation sets higher standards with upgraded parts providing more performance and better driving dynamics than its predecessor.

Sharing internal components such as the pistons, crankshaft and suspension with its older sisters, the 2014 M3 and M4, provides the M2 with a competitive edge. Despite this, BMW is ensuring that the M2 will not serve as a replacement for the 2014 M3/M4 models. The M2 does, however, provide more power than the E92 generation of the M3, approximately 70lb.-ft of torque more.

With that being said, the M2 packs a punch with 365HP and 369 lb-ft of torque being outputted by BMW’s legendary 3.0 liter Inline-6, featuring a TwinScroll turbocharger. It is pleasantly surprising to see BMW continue to offer its cars with a manual transmission. The M2 comes from the factory with an updated 6 speed manual featuring automatic rev matching which one can opt to switch out for the latest generation M DCT, BMW’s double clutch transmission.

Its fully variable differential, M-performance tuned electric steering and high performance brakes allows the M2 to serve as the perfect performance machine, both for the track and street. The M2 will be available with a whole range of options come Spring 2016.

Stay tuned for more NAIAS updates.