BMW M2 0-60 Times

About BMW M2

With its recent offerings in the last few years, BMW has begun to have a reputation for laid-back driving. It seems that BMW no longer offers the spirited driving experience that it was once known for. But the brand has quashed those rumors once and for all with the 2016 BMW M2.

The M series from BMW stands for “Motorsport”. It’s a kind of treatment for its more mainstream cars. So now the brand has taken its 2-series and gave it the M transformations. The 2-series was already an excellent car to begin with, but with the M genes injected in its makeup it has Hulk-ed into a truly exciting ride you can use for every day.

Specs

Here are some specs and numbers you won’t ordinarily see in a regular 2-series:

• Engine: Turbo 3.0L I6
• Power: 365 HP / 343 LB-FT
• Transmission: 7-speed DCT / 6-Speed Manual
• Drivetrain: Rear-Wheel Drive
• Curb Weight: 3,450 (Manual) / 3,505 (DCT)
• 0-60 mph: 4.2 seconds
• Base Price: $52,695

Features

At first glance, the M2 looks great, and it seems to look even better the more time passes. Its hood is a bit long, it has two doors, and at the back there’s a short rear deck. You’ll find extended 55mm fender flares in front, and 800mm at the back. These cover the 19-inch lightweight wheels with the meaty Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. The front wheels sport the 245/35ZR19 while the rear has the 265/35ZR19.

Of course, there are the obligatory aggressive details. The rear bumpers have these dimples, the lower secondary air inlets feature scoops, and there’s the virtually ubiquitous fender vent.

Take a look inside, and its classy simplicity is quite appealing. Like other BMWs, the HUD is functional and no-nonsense. The steering wheel comes in just the right size for the interior. The carbon-fiber patterned accents and the blue contrasting stitching all look terrific, and they break the monotony of the all-black interior quite nicely.

The seats look ordinary enough, but they’re very effective in bringing you the comfort you need when you’re careening down the curving tracks. You’ll be relieved to know that it doesn’t come with the unpleasant “support” that seems to rearrange your internal organs when you make quick sudden turns.

But the M is really all about the drive, and the engine offers a lot of oomph. The engine offers Valvetronic fully variable valve lift, Double-VANOS variable cam timing, and direct injection. It counts on the fully variable lift to control the air supply.

If you’re not a gearhead, here’s what all these things mean in a nutshell: this engine will pull. You’re in 4^th gear and you want to overtake on the highway? Don’t bother downshifting, and just step on the pedal and you’ll quickly pass by the slowpoke. It enables quick acceleration, and lets you take on curves on the road without downshifting at all.

For the suspension, you’ve got aluminum parts but you don’t get the M Adaptive suspension (not even as an option). But the dampers on the M2 are quite capable, so you don’t really need the upgrade. The steering comes with electronic support. This gives you an eerie accuracy and an ideal weight from lock to lock. The electronic support does dampen the feedback from the steering wheel a bit, but that’s balanced out by the feedback you get from the seat bottom.

Pros and Cons

The M4 is more expensive than the M2 by about $14,000. But with the M2, it’s as if you get the best of the M4 and you get a sizable saving besides. It looks great, the engine is certainly capable, and the drive is firm but that punishing. The handling forgives any inadequacies and the torque is very reliable. This is essentially a daily driver that will give you the excitement you crave anytime you feel like it.

Is it perfect? There’s no such beast. Not everyone will be wowed by its looks, especially the ornamental vents and scoop. What’s also annoying is that you can’t really hear the authentic sound of the engine—what you get is the sound of the engine blaring from the speakers, if you can believe it. It’s like being at a concert and then hearing the song through a radio somewhere.

Conclusion

The BMW M2 signifies that everything’s all right, and that the high and mighty brand has regained its senses. This car fully deserves both its M status and its BMW brand. It’s an excellent drive, and the price is just right for even ordinary mortals.

But picking this means that you’re not an ordinary person in the slightest. With the BMW M2, you’re in for an extraordinary time, and that makes you special in the best way possible.

To learn more about BMW M2, visit the official BMW website.