Car Review: BMW M2 Coupe
“It’s all about passion and emotion!” This is what to think when you speaking about BMW’s high performance models, built for road and track. More than 62 400 units were sold 2015 with 1 965 sold in South Africa.
The BMW M2 coupe, the new entry level car from the M Division, has finally arrived in South Africa and aims to attract a younger customer to the M brand. Only 63 have been allocated to South Africa and they are already sold out.
The M2 is a compact high-performance BMW, it claims a six-cylinder in-line engine, rear-wheel-drive agility, lightweight aluminium M Sport suspension and extrovert styling. It is the direct heir to the successful BMW 1 Series M Coupe as well as a descendant of the original E30 BMW M3 and the BMW 2002 turbo.
All about the power
A three-litre six-cylinder in-line engine is responsible for the deployment of M TwinPower Turbo technology that develops 272 kW at 6, 500 rpm and puts it in the category of high-performance sports cars.
In terms of power, a peak torque of 465 N.m can be increased to 500 N.m in short bursts under overboost and all of this enables the new BMW M2 Coupe with optional seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission and Launch Control to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.3 seconds.
Fuel consumption
Fuel consumption combined: 8.5 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 199 g/km.
We got to take the new M2 round the track based at the Franschhoek Motor Museum and with only two laps under my belt I can only really say that it is exhilarating to drive. I wish I had more time in it, but I don’t know if there would ever be enough time! I wasn’t able to give it horns as they say, but I was able to experience just how confidence-inspiring this car is to drive. If I had been given time alone in this car on a track, I feel I would have pushed not only the car’s limits, but mine as well. That’s what this M2 does to you, it makes you want to throw all caution to the wind. I doubt I will find myself in this situation anytime soon, but for all the petrol head performance lovers out there, this is a car you want to experience!
Pricing
BMW M2 6-speed manual – R791 000
BMW M2 DCT – R841 900