Although we have evolved to co-exist with modern day innovations and advanced technologies, there are times when you cannot help but feel as if civilisation has taken two steps backwards. In fact, we see a lot of humans, but little humanity.
This can also be said for cars. While many of them have incorporated complex tools and systems to enhance our safety on the road and better convenient our lives, these cars often fall short in the aspect that matters the most - driveability. We see a lot of capable carmakers, but not so many cars with worthy back-to-basics driveability.
Then we have the BMW M2, the successor to the limited-spawned 1 Series M Coupe, which demonstrated that brilliance can be achieved in a compact size. While the said successor shares certain similarities with the M235i as well as the BMW M4 Coupe, it feels like a unique and simple proposition on its own.
Of course, the BMW M2 can be seen as the smaller and cheaper brethren to the M4 Coupe. But to label the car that you see here as a poor man's or baby M4 would be an undeserving insult to it. It may be smaller and it sure is cheaper, but it's one of the best ways to spend $276,800 (inclusive of COE) on a car.
This can also be said for cars. While many of them have incorporated complex tools and systems to enhance our safety on the road and better convenient our lives, these cars often fall short in the aspect that matters the most - driveability. We see a lot of capable carmakers, but not so many cars with worthy back-to-basics driveability.
Then we have the BMW M2, the successor to the limited-spawned 1 Series M Coupe, which demonstrated that brilliance can be achieved in a compact size. While the said successor shares certain similarities with the M235i as well as the BMW M4 Coupe, it feels like a unique and simple proposition on its own.
Of course, the BMW M2 can be seen as the smaller and cheaper brethren to the M4 Coupe. But to label the car that you see here as a poor man's or baby M4 would be an undeserving insult to it. It may be smaller and it sure is cheaper, but it's one of the best ways to spend $276,800 (inclusive of COE) on a car.
Exterior
Like all M cars, the M2 has bulging front and rear fenders, swollen wheel arches and oversized air vents that effectively sends a message to slower cars and pesky cabbies that it would very much like them to move out of its way.
In a way, it has the sort of visual musculature that draws your attention to it like a magnet to a refrigerator. You see it in the flesh parked at the lot, but your mind is working on believing how the Bavarian marque managed to come up with such a beaut.
Squatting ferociously at 4,468mm x 1,854mm x 1,410mm (L x W x H), the BMW M2 is longer, wider and lower than the regular 2 Series Coupe. As a result, you get the sense that the M2, although being the smallest M car, was made with a strong sense of purpose. The very fact that the car comes fitted with biggish 19-inch wheels further accentuates this point.
Interior
Here, the Bimmer doesn't have the complexity of the other M cars. The two M buttons that allow the driver to alter with the car's damping and the throttle map are lacking on the multi-functional steering wheel. Instead, driving adjustments are made via the recognisable button BMW is known for that allows you to select three driving modes - Comfort, Sport and Sport +.
Elsewhere is BMW M-familiar, with matte carbon fibre trimmings, alcantara and a short thrower. It seems the carmaker has created a cabin that's simple and straightforward without losing its ability to execute with a quality few carmakers can match.
Here, the Bimmer doesn't have the complexity of the other M cars. The two M buttons that allow the driver to alter with the car's damping and the throttle map are lacking on the multi-functional steering wheel. Instead, driving adjustments are made via the recognisable button BMW is known for that allows you to select three driving modes - Comfort, Sport and Sport +.
Elsewhere is BMW M-familiar, with matte carbon fibre trimmings, alcantara and a short thrower. It seems the carmaker has created a cabin that's simple and straightforward without losing its ability to execute with a quality few carmakers can match.
Space wise, it'll fit four Asian adults with a bit of a squeeze for the two at the back. That doesn't mean the back seats are redundant or best left for kids. They're certainly usable, with adequate head and legroom.
While this doesn't sound impressive, the boot space is. At 390 litres, the M2's luggage space is bigger than the Audi S3 Sportback's as well as the bigger Lexus RC F's at 380 litres and 366 litres respectively.
While this doesn't sound impressive, the boot space is. At 390 litres, the M2's luggage space is bigger than the Audi S3 Sportback's as well as the bigger Lexus RC F's at 380 litres and 366 litres respectively.
The Drive
It's difficult to get comfortable and confident with a car so quickly, especially when it's with one that's loaded with a 3.0-litre in-line six powerplant that's capable of pumping out 370 Bavarian horses and a massive 465Nm of torque to the rear wheels via a lightning quick seven-speed Double Clutch Transmission (DCT). But what a delightful car this is!
You don't seem to have the need to slowly push the envelopes of the car before knowing what it can or cannot do. Instead, with the M2, you learn how the shifts are like, the sensitivity of the throttle and how well-calibrated the brake pedals are as you're pushing the car to the limits. Everything about it - from the talkative steering and the progressive accelerator to the sonorous soundtrack and the immense grip - makes you feel like you've known this car for a long time.
Thus, it's hard not to be dazzled by it. In fact, it's hard to think of another car that's as powerful and compliant yet playful and restless at the same time. The M2 isn't just a Speedy Gonzales in a straight line. It's speedy wherever you decide to take the car to, including a series of bends.
We were able to throw the Bimmer around corners with reckless abandon on sandy surfaces that would have sent almost any other high-performance car in a fluster. There's a tinge of oversteer in these conditions when you're in Sport+ mode, where electric nannies such as the traction control is disabled, keeping only the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) active, but it's never insecure or uncertain. You lift off the accelerator and the car straightens itself out slowly and steadily.
It's difficult to get comfortable and confident with a car so quickly, especially when it's with one that's loaded with a 3.0-litre in-line six powerplant that's capable of pumping out 370 Bavarian horses and a massive 465Nm of torque to the rear wheels via a lightning quick seven-speed Double Clutch Transmission (DCT). But what a delightful car this is!
You don't seem to have the need to slowly push the envelopes of the car before knowing what it can or cannot do. Instead, with the M2, you learn how the shifts are like, the sensitivity of the throttle and how well-calibrated the brake pedals are as you're pushing the car to the limits. Everything about it - from the talkative steering and the progressive accelerator to the sonorous soundtrack and the immense grip - makes you feel like you've known this car for a long time.
Thus, it's hard not to be dazzled by it. In fact, it's hard to think of another car that's as powerful and compliant yet playful and restless at the same time. The M2 isn't just a Speedy Gonzales in a straight line. It's speedy wherever you decide to take the car to, including a series of bends.
We were able to throw the Bimmer around corners with reckless abandon on sandy surfaces that would have sent almost any other high-performance car in a fluster. There's a tinge of oversteer in these conditions when you're in Sport+ mode, where electric nannies such as the traction control is disabled, keeping only the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) active, but it's never insecure or uncertain. You lift off the accelerator and the car straightens itself out slowly and steadily.
Once you're done toying with the car and are back on the main road, the M2 behaves exactly how any civilised car should. It eats up lumps and bumps wthout sending any degree of discomfort to the cabin while ensuring you get from point to point in a fuss-free and enjoyable fashion.
Conclusion
To be quite honest, you aren't wrong to say that the M2 is a shrunken version of the M4, both in terms of its size and price. The car you see here costs slightly over $100,000 cheaper than the M4, yet it manages to deliver the handling acumen of Christiano Ronaldo and rugged good looks of Brad Pitt without coming across as a raucous and arrogant machine.
More importantly, it's suffice to say that the BMW M2 didn't fall short in the aspect that matters the most - worthy back-to-basics driveability.
Conclusion
To be quite honest, you aren't wrong to say that the M2 is a shrunken version of the M4, both in terms of its size and price. The car you see here costs slightly over $100,000 cheaper than the M4, yet it manages to deliver the handling acumen of Christiano Ronaldo and rugged good looks of Brad Pitt without coming across as a raucous and arrogant machine.
More importantly, it's suffice to say that the BMW M2 didn't fall short in the aspect that matters the most - worthy back-to-basics driveability.
