The BMW M2 will lap the Nurburgring in 7m 58s. Now watch it drift

At 7 minutes and 58 seconds, the new BMW M2 is seven seconds faster around the Nürburgring than the old, V8-engined BMW M3.

Yep, BMW has confirmed that its new, turbocharged small sports coupe with 365bhp has lapped the world’s least friendly race circuit in 7min 58sec. Which is faster than its old, non-turbo, slightly less-small sports coupe with 414bhp.

So the M2’s quick, then. But just how quick? Sure, it’s faster than things like a Cayenne Turbo S, or a Viper SRT-10, or an old V8 R8, but it’s also only a smidge quicker than a front-wheel-drive Seat Leon estate. Go figure.

What that points to is anyone’s guess. No doubt you’ll have your own opinions on what this lap time means, if it means anything at all. We’ve highlighted the questionable legitimacy of Nürburgring lap times many times before, and the debate shows no signs of cooling.

In any case, leave those opinions in the space below. But before you do, have a watch of BMW’s official launch video of the M2, which showcases a) just how drifty it can get in the right hands, and b) the old 1M Coupe and E30 M3. Because classic BMW.