BMW M cars seem to be regenerating at a rate that would make Dr. Who blush these days, with the recent updates to the M3 Competition and M4 earlier this year. Now it's time for the M2 to go through the LCI mixer, benefitting from a minor hike in power to 473 bhp (up from 454), new alloys wheels, a significantly expanded colour options list, and perhaps most importantly to us, the M Division is promising an “improved suspension technology” and greater throttle response. The changes come as part of an entire 2-series range update.

Whilst it doesn’t feel like five minutes have passed since the G87 was introduced, the changes are nevertheless welcome. BMW says there are new exterior design elements but even with my M-anorak status I cannot spot the difference. Whatever the changes are, they’ve worked. We’ve been outspoken critics of the M2’s design language, however it's amazing what a set of silver alloys and a new hue can do for one’s perspective. Is this the M2’s teen movie moment where the geek takes off their glasses, lets down their hair and then everyone realises they’re actually rather hot? Perhaps I’m getting ahead of myself and I need to go look at some pictures of a 1M or previous-gen M2, but suddenly I’m finding the G87 no longer burns my retinas.