but is the newest M car worthy of the badge?

 For a while things weren't looking great for BMW's M division. The M3 and the M4 haven't exactly lived up to the expectations that previous M3s had set. Then you've got the fact that cars like the X5M and X6M even exist, both of which had us wondering if BMW’s M division had lost its way.

But now it seems, for the moment at least, that the M division is back on form. The new M4 GTS has resolutely impressed, the competition pack for the M3 and M4 has righted some of the wrongs of the standard car and the M2 is a fun and deeply enjoyable package.

 There is a selection of M Performance upgrades you can make to your M2. Most of them are just cosmetic and as the M2 already looks aggressive enough, they don’t seem that necessary. The sportier exhaust, which can be turned on or off by a Bluetooth controller in the car, is another item that seems superfluous. It doesn’t increase the volume in the car, nor does it make it sound much better.

However, while the Alcantara steering wheel and interior trim that you can option might not be essential, they do look and feel great and elevate the feel of the interior.

 ‘On a warm, dry circuit the M2 is a riot. There’s a lovely balance to the car with strong front end grip and then easy, progressive oversteer that belies its short wheelbase.’ Jethro Bovingdon