BMW M2 Competition – harder, better and faster

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BMW’s M division has ramped up the performance potential of the new M2 Competition by borrowing some bits from its elder brothers. Right now, the hottest BMW on the internet is the new M2 Competition. It’s the faster, cheaper and the more dynamic version of all the BMW’s, so naturally, it’s going to get all the attention for now.

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The 2018 model, which BMW has named as the M2 Competition, replaces the standard M2. Under the bonnet, you will now find a new engine based on its elder brothers the M3 and the M4. It now packs a 404hp engine with 404lb ft of torque having the same torque figures of its two big brothers. The engine in the discussion is a twin-turbocharged 3.0 litre straight six that powers the M4 and the M3. It’s a sizable jump from the M2’s previous 364 bhp and 369lb ft pushing the 0-100 kph of 4.2 seconds, which is 0.2 seconds quicker than the outgoing model. The manual transmission variant will do 0-100 in 4.4 seconds. This 4.2 seconds 0-100 time has been made possible with the seven-speed dual clutch transmission. However, this engine has loads of power but has been electronically limited to 250kph, which can be raised to 280kph with an optional driver’s package.

Power now comes from a slightly detuned version of the S55 engine which is currently used in the M4 and the M3. In the M2 Competition, the newly designed twin-turbo 3.0-litre unit delivers 410hp between 5,250rpm and 7,000rpm and 550Nm from 2,350rpm to 5,200rpm. This presents a sizeable jump of 40hp and 84Nm over the original M2’s turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder N55 engine, but it’s 21hp less than in the M3 and M4, but with the same torque figures.

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The M2 Competition’s weight shockingly is 55kg heavier than the old one at 1550 kg largely, due to the bigger engine which would have been even more if not for some bits and pieces here and there made up of carbon fibre. Despite the added weight, its power to weight ratio has increased by 17hp per tonne over the outgoing models 265hp per tonne. Transmission options are the same of its predecessor, a six-speed manual and a dual clutch 7 speed automatic.

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To accommodate the new engine, BMW has completely restructured the front end equipping it with an extra radiator, and a new carbon fibre reinforced strut brace. BMW claims that these changes offer greater stiffness and more steering precision. Another optional feature is the new upgraded brake which replaces the standard 380mm front with 400mm ones and the 370mm rear with 380mm allied to the six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers. The new bumper now houses cooling ducts for the bigger engine.

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In terms of aesthetic, we now have a new reshaped front bumper, a gloss black enlarged signature kidney grille, new aero-friendly win mirrors, repositioned quad tailpipes, M Sport front seats, reconfigured M instrument panel, M seatbelts in different colors, headlights with adaptive LED function, slightly redone rear taillights, an altered rear bumper, 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport tires with a profile of 245/35 at the front and 265/35 at the rear and a nice M2 Competition emblem on the boot lid.

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This move to introduce the M4/M3 engine in the M2 has been done keeping in consideration the emission regulations. Instead of reworking two engines the M2’s N55 and the M4’s S55 BMW figured that it would be cheaper just to rework the S55 and sell it on both the M4 and the M2. After this why would anyone want an M4 anyway when you can have all the fun with the M2 competition. Only time will tell if the M4 will start to fade away now.

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