Set become available from September, the Competition differs from the standard M2 by virtue of a redesigned front facia consisting of wider air intakes, enlarged kidney grille finished in gloss Shadow Line black, twin arm mirrors and at the rear, quad exhausts and a black M Competition badge.

Inside, the interior follows a similar subtle touch with illuminated M2 branded door sills, M Sport seats with illuminated M2 logos on the headrests, M striped seatbelts, M steering wheel with M1 and M2 mode buttons, red M starter button and an M specific instrument cluster.

Riding on Y-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels with a black finish optional, the M2 Competition’s under-the-skin changes includes blue brake calipers with optional M Sport units identified by grey calipers, recalibrated Active M Differential, a carbon fibre strut taken from the M3/M4 Competition Package (CP), quicker steering, front and rear axles again from the M3/M4 CP and a new cooling system consisting of a central radiator, two mounted in the side skirts, an additional one for the oil cooler and a fifth for models fitted with the M DCT gearbox.

Providing motivation, the Competition comes powered by the same 3.0-litre straight-six engine as the normal M2, but with the addition of a second turbocharger to lift power and torque by 30kW/50Nm to 302kW/550Nm. Despite BMW’s decision last year to pull the plug on manual gearboxes, the Competition will have offer a manual as standard with the aforementioned seven-speed M DCT optional.

While top speed is capped at 250km/h or 280km/h with the optional M Driver’s Package, the DCT will complete the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.2 seconds with the manual taking 0.2 second longer. Combined fuel consumption is claimed 9.2 L/100km for the auto and 10.0 L/100km for the manual, with the taxable emissions at 207 g/km and 223 g/km respectively.

Standard specification includes cruise control, High Beam Assist, rain sense wipers, the 8.8-inch Navigation Professional system infotainment system with BMW Connected Service, Dakota perforated leather seats in black/orange or black/blue, premium sound system and carbon fibre interior trim.

A choice of five colours will be available; Alpine White, Long Beach Blue Metallic, Black Sapphire Metallic and two new hues, Hockenheim Silver and Sunset Orange Metallic.

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