Fascination : Last exit to happiness?

The now discontinued M2 was a great success for BMW, which brought a lot of image, dynamism and lots of happy customers. This almost limitless driving pleasure will hardly change with the new generation, which will be launched under the internal name G87 at the end of the year – on the contrary. Only recently did the Bavarians present the always dynamic BMW M 240i and this year M fans can look forward to the BMW M3 Touring, which will be available for the first time and will probably only be offered with 510 hp, eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. If you like it a little smaller and even sportier, you should be able to fall in love with the chubby BMW M2, whose proportions appear a bit quirky under the colorful camouflage foil. The three-liter inline six-cylinder twin turbo of the S58 assembly comes from the big brother pair M3 / M4 and will get a slight performance reduction so that the distance is maintained. The performance should be at the level of the current BMW M2 Competition, which inspires its sports driver with 410 hp. The previous top model was the 331 kW / 450 PS / 550 Nm strong BMW M2 CS.

It can be assumed that in addition to the more than 400 hp basic M2 there will be other sports versions with up to 450 hp or more in a weight-reduced BMW M2 CSL. Not entirely surprising: in addition to the obligatory eight-speed automatic transmission, a manual six-speed gearbox is also being used in the new BMW M2. In order to keep the distance to the BMW M3 / M4, the upcoming BMW M2 should continue to be driven only via the rear axle, even if the platform would allow a dynamic all-wheel drive variant. The offer the direct competitors Audi RS3 and Mercedes AMG A45, both of which are only offered as four-wheel drive with dual-clutch transmission. However, the Bavarian all-wheel drive fans can also choose the 374 hp BMW M 240i xDrive.

Inside there is the well-known sports package with contoured sports seats, a non-slip steering wheel and sports pedals. If desired, the pilot can sit on particularly light bucket seats and look forward to extras such as a carbon roof, high-performance brake system and sports tires suitable for the race track. Inside, in addition to the non-slip leather steering wheel, there is the so-called curved display as an instrument unit, with not only a large number of switches remaining on the center tunnel, but also the rotary pushbutton. A flap exhaust system with four tailpipes ensures the sonorous sound of the doubly charged in-line six-cylinder. A few fast laps on the Salzburgring show what is possible with this impressive package. Both manual and automatic versions are great fun; However, the M2 with an eight-speed automatic transmission, which is a few kilograms heavier, fares much better. It not only fits perfectly with the roaring six-cylinder in-line engine, but also gives the driver the opportunity to deal with the details of the race track or any capricious weather and road conditions. As with the predecessor, more than impressive: the excellent feedback from the steering, the neutral handling and the rear that only slightly wedges out when you step on the accelerator. The wider track and the excellent weight distribution ensure that the new M2 generation does everything a little sharper, sportier and snappier than before. Great: in the endless paddock curve, it goes from a speed beyond 230 km/h from the far left to well under 100 km/h to the right and left again towards the Reiner S section. Here the 1.6-ton two-door remains stoically calm and waits at best, whether the driver gets nervous or lets himself be pulled through this combination around Bayern before it goes full throttle over the start and finish again. The new BMW M2 likes racetracks like the Salzburgring. And not just them – and we celebrate the new BMW M2 – as one of the last of its dying kind.