By THATCAR.co.za
There are cars that seem to be made simply for the sake of making them. They don’t always make much sense.
Think about it: the Batmobile. Why build such a huge car for a guy who can fly? What’s the point? 😂
Then there’s the Bugatti Chiron. It’s a super GT. Fast, right?
But who actually buys these cars? Rich old men who prefer to take things slowly rather than push them to the limits? Or people who buy them for their investment potential rather than their sheer power and performance?
And again, if you can’t raise it, show it!
(This is what my daughter calls “Dad jokes”.)
What I mean by that last lousy joke is that many people buy the Chiron to show off rather than actually use it.
Not that they could use it properly to begin with.
What am I on about?
One such car is the BMW M2.
Don’t get us wrong. The BMW M2 is, in our opinion, THE BEST M CAR YOU CAN BUY RIGHT NOW.
And if you don’t agree? Sorry to say, but you’re wrong. Simple.
But whilst being utterly brilliant, BMW may have just made it a little pointless.
Let’s tell you more about this car — or at least the version we think is the most pointless.
Before the BMW blue pill swallowing 😂 fanboys come out with guns blazing… let me explain.
WHY DOES THE M2 NEED XDRIVE?
The M2 has gained an xDrive all-wheel-drive system, paired with its 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six, producing 353 kW and 600 Nm of torque in a compact body.
And that’s where we have an issue.
Why do you need four-wheel drive?
Because…
You want to race from 0–100 km/h faster than an Audi RS3.
But here’s the question: how many times in your entire ownership experience will you actually do that?
Once? Twice?
OK, let’s be generous. Ten times in five years.
And for those ten moments, you’re potentially sacrificing some of the traditional M2 experience: the balance, the feel of an engine up front, power going to the rear wheels, and some grinning, middle-aged man behind the wheel screaming:
“POWEEEEERRRR!”
Isn’t that the whole point? Look, the xDrive is here, so let’s tell you what you need to know
FASTER? .
The main reason for introducing xDrive is that the M2 is now quicker to 100 km/h than ever before.
BMW M claims a 0–100 km/h time of 3.7 seconds, which is three-tenths of a second quicker than the rear-wheel-drive model.
Yawn.
One of the main benefits of xDrive is improved grip and stability. Why?
I mean the rear wheels love to get sideways, requiring the grinning idiot behind the wheel to focus — and have at least some talent — to keep the car on the tarmac!
Isn’t that why you buy an M2 in the first place?
Lets move on …
The good news is that BMW says the car allows for two-wheel-drive driving with the stability control switched off, which it describes as “a driving experience of remarkable purity”.
We’re not entirely convinced it will offer the same feel as the pure rear-wheel-drive model, but we’ll reserve judgement until BMW gives us a go.
POWEEEEERRRR!
Power comes from a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six petrol engine, producing 353 kW and 600 Nm in this derivative.
And you can unleash all of it.
BMW also uses a pre-chamber combustion process, which the brand claims helps reduce fuel consumption under high loads while meeting Euro 7 emissions standards.
THE COST?
Well,
- BMW M2 xDrive: R1,688,002.30
- Standard BMW M2: R1,621,985.50
That’s a difference of around R66,017.
So, for roughly R66,000 more, you get all-wheel drive and a quicker 0–100 km/h sprint.
But do you get a better M2?
That’s the question
VERDICT
Look, we understand why BMW has introduced xDrive. More grip, quicker acceleration and improved stability will appeal to some buyers.
But we reckon the M2’s magic lies in its rear-wheel-drive setup.So, our advice?
GROW A PAIR AND GET THE REAR-WHEEL-DRIVE VERSION.
Because, to us, it’s still the best M car available today.
