BMW India has launched the M2 Competition at Rs 79.9 lakh (ex-showroom, India). Till now, if you had to get your hands on an M car, the most affordable was the M4 Coupe, which is priced at Rs 1.33 crore. The M2 Competition was first showcased at the 2018 Beijing Motor Show and it went on sale globally in Q2 of 2018.
The 2018 M2 Competition gets revised kidney grilles and a larger air intake. The engine gets a lighter crank and improved cooling system among others. As a result, the S55 engine gains 55kg. The car is equipped with electronic locking differential with revised mapping among others.
The 3-litre, inline 6-cylinder, twin-turbo petrol engine is lifted off the M4 Coupe and it makes 404bhp at 5250 – 7250rpm and 550Nm at 2350 – 5200rpm. However, power is 21bhp less than the M4 Coupe, while the torque remains the same. The engine is mated to a 7-speed DCT, which sends drive to the rear axle. The car shatters the 100kmph barrier in 4.2 seconds with a top whack limited to 250kmph. Sadly, the 6-speed manual gearbox is not available in India. The optional M Driver’s Package further pushes the car to reach the top speed of 280kmph. The car weighs 1550kg and has a power to weight ratio of 265bhp per ton.
The chassis is derived from the M4 with tweaks like carbon fibre brace for the front struts and bulkhead to strengthen the chassis and improve the steering. Ball joints replace rubber bushes on the rear axle for better traction at low speeds. The M2 Competition gets three drive modes – Comfort, Sport and Sport+, to alter the dynamic characteristics of the car. You also get two M buttons – M1 and M2 – on the steering wheel to alter the engine, gearbox and ESP settings. The M2 option sets everything in full power mode and reduces the intervention of traction control for some aggressive tail wagging.
The BMW M2 Competition challenges the likes of Porsche 718 Cayman, which is priced at Rs 85.95 lakh and the Mercedes-AMG C 43, which retails at Rs 77.95 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).