Photo: CarPIx
The hype surrounding the upcoming 2016 BMW M2 is similar to the one that engulfed the 1M Coupe when it was in development. However, if similarities will continue, we might be in for a couple of surprises.
At the moment everyone expects the new M car to come out with both a manual 6-speed gearbox as standard and an optional automatic 7-speed DCT as well. Trouble is, BMW is teasing us and being shady about what might come out in the end.
In an interview for Auto Express, BMW’s Head of Product for M cars, Mr. Carsten Pries had some rather interesting things to say:
“You don’t want to drag people down from an M3 or an M4. That wouldn’t be sensible. If you remember the 1 Series M Coupe there’s always a bit of overlap, but we offered the manual gearbox only – that was one of the main differences.”
He’s referring, of course, to the fact that once the 1M came out, people started calling it the M3’s little, crazier brother. And they were right. The 1M Coupe also came out only with a manual 6-speed box and some went as far to say that this was due to the results the car would’ve had in case it was fitted with the same auto on the E92.
The specs of the 1M with the manual already made it bite a serious chunk of M3 sales. Hooked up with the automatic, things would’ve been even worse. Limiting the production was a solution but that won’t be the case for the M2.
Other customers might’ve been attracted to the comfort, madness and extra performance of the DCT. Therefore, you win some and you lose some customers at the same time. Trouble is, we think it’s very possible that this rumor comes true due to the specs of the car.
With 374 HP and 520 Nm (384 lb-ft) of torque, the smaller M2 might offer the M4 a run for its money. If the rumored 4.3-second time for a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) dash is true and it’s for the manual then that would be exactly on par with the bigger and more powerful model and that wouldn’t be good for business. Imagining that a 4.1 second run for an automatic is very possible in these circumstances.
In an interview for Auto Express, BMW’s Head of Product for M cars, Mr. Carsten Pries had some rather interesting things to say:
“You don’t want to drag people down from an M3 or an M4. That wouldn’t be sensible. If you remember the 1 Series M Coupe there’s always a bit of overlap, but we offered the manual gearbox only – that was one of the main differences.”
He’s referring, of course, to the fact that once the 1M came out, people started calling it the M3’s little, crazier brother. And they were right. The 1M Coupe also came out only with a manual 6-speed box and some went as far to say that this was due to the results the car would’ve had in case it was fitted with the same auto on the E92.
The specs of the 1M with the manual already made it bite a serious chunk of M3 sales. Hooked up with the automatic, things would’ve been even worse. Limiting the production was a solution but that won’t be the case for the M2.
Daring move
Such a move would be daring. Enthusiasts have been waiting for a small car, similar in size with the E46 M3 for quite a while. The M2 might offer them that alternative to the bigger and more powerful M4. However, there’s a downside as well.Other customers might’ve been attracted to the comfort, madness and extra performance of the DCT. Therefore, you win some and you lose some customers at the same time. Trouble is, we think it’s very possible that this rumor comes true due to the specs of the car.
With 374 HP and 520 Nm (384 lb-ft) of torque, the smaller M2 might offer the M4 a run for its money. If the rumored 4.3-second time for a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) dash is true and it’s for the manual then that would be exactly on par with the bigger and more powerful model and that wouldn’t be good for business. Imagining that a 4.1 second run for an automatic is very possible in these circumstances.
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