BMW’s smallest piece of sports equipment is entering its second generation: the BMW M2 is stronger than ever, better equipped than ever – but also heavier than ever. And yet as fast and seriously sporty as an M2 has ever been. Optionally even with a manual gearbox. “Krone” motor editor Stephan Schätzl has already given the spurs to Ms Kleinstem in the USA. His impressions here in the video.
Based on the BMW M1, the first independent car from BMW’s sports club called M, M2 would actually be the appropriate name for the second original M car. This is also coming onto the market these days, but it is called XM. Which fits, since it’s not a sports car, but a powerful luxury SUV. 653 hp, 2.7 tons. What it weighs, that’s it! This shows the range that BMW in general and M GmbH in particular now covers, in this case from sneakers to colossus. The new BMW M2 isn’t exactly a lightweight either: it weighs at least 1700 kilograms – almost 300 kg more than the very first M2. However, he has not put bacon on, but sport. The BMW M2 is basically a shortened BMW M4. It essentially takes over the chassis, but at 2.75 m it has a wheelbase that is eleven centimeters shorter. Overall, it is 21 cm shorter and measures 4.58 meters in length. Compared to its predecessor, it is 54 millimeters longer, 33 mm wider and 7 mm flatter. So a whole lot more grown-up. The relatively high weight also has something to do with this close relationship – the M4 is only 25 kilograms heavier. Milkmaid bill: That’s just under a kilogram for every centimeter of length. So the weight is somewhere else than in the body. A little also in the 19/20 inch wheels, which are one inch larger than the standard tires of the M4. Compared to the predecessor, the weight increase is easy to explain. 38 kg are already due to additional stiffeners, plus the significantly better standard equipment, which also includes an adaptive M sports suspension. In principle, the background is not softness, but safety and driving dynamics, and the new one beats the old like the king beats the boy – Bucket seats. 50 hp more than before The turbo six-cylinder from the M4 had to sacrifice only 20 hp to be used in the M2. 460 hp are in the data sheet, so 50 more than the predecessor in the Competition version. The version without the addition Competition (came in 2016) only had 370 hp (but with 3.84 to 3.70 kg per hp almost the same power-to-weight ratio as today’s). In the standard sprint value, it all accounts for just tenths of a second. In any case, the current M2 sprints in the best case (with eight-speed automatic) in 4.1 seconds to country road speed and in 13.5 seconds to 200 km / h. With a manual transmission it is 4.3 or 14.3 seconds (which corresponds exactly to the values of the BMW XM, by the way). Top speed: 250 km/h, with M Driver’s Package 285 km/h. Interesting detail: eight-speed automatic transmission is standard. The manual transmission costs a good 600 euros extra. Fans will be happy to pay for that. Fine handling Of course, a 1.7 tonne car is not a go-kart, but the M2 can hide its pounds well. It steers sharply and accurately, the steering conveys a good feeling for the road and on its 275 or 285 tires it weaves wonderfully around corners and is excellent. Those who like to let it fly on track days can order semislicks. The M2 was allowed to show its talents on a hardly used, winding mountain road in Arizona, where the sheriff has no chance to measure. It wasn’t about speeding on straight stretches at all, but about carving through curves. The M Dynamic Mode, i.e. the partially deactivated DSC, is ideal here. The rear axle dances, but requires increased attention, because the shorter wheelbase makes the M2 a bit more toxic than the M4. The setup can be adjusted and stored on two red buttons on the steering wheel. The adaptive chassis allows something like comfort if desired, but can also tighten up well. The controlled M Sport differential helps ensure that the power goes into the ground and doesn’t immediately go up in smoke. The engine sound fits and can be intensified by a successful playback via the loudspeakers. The three-liter six-cylinder is excellent on the gas, revs greedily up to 7200 tours. It delivers its maximum torque of 550 Nm from 2650 rpm. away. With a sporty driving style, there is always enough power. If you take it easy, it doesn’t get on your nerves like an overly motivated teenager. Modern interior What doesn’t quite go with the BMW M2 is the curved display that’s now ubiquitous at BMW, i.e. the giant screen that shows the 12.3-inch speedometer display and the 14 .9-inch touchscreen into one large area. Why does such a classic sports car have to carry such a television for a walk? And then you can’t even show round instruments, but always have this pseudo-modern graphic behind the steering wheel. You can forgive them that, after all there is a manual gearbox and the iDrive controller has also been retained. However, you won’t use it too often anymore – the confusing menu navigation is better opened up by touch. The prices The BMW M2 costs at least 88,000 euros. In addition to adaptive M suspension and M limited-slip differential, standard equipment includes compound brakes, three-zone automatic climate control (which you always need on the mini rear seat), seat heating, complete navitainment or the M Drive Professional, which also includes a drift analyzer. Adaptive LEDs, radar cruise control and reversing camera cost extra. Not as pure as the old or even the 1 Series M Coupé, but very strong and very good. The joy stops quickly when it comes to the price, but 23,000 euros more are due for the M4. A little one for big fun.Why?Because it’s seriously sporty and drives greatBecause it’s available with a manual gearboxWhy not?Because the interior doesn’t quite match the characterOr maybe……a used 1 Series M Coupé. Has what it takes to become a classic.
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