Tag Archives: BMW M2

BMW M Reportedly Plotting 1,341 HP iM2 For Their 50th Anniversary

BMW M will be celebrating their 50th anniversary next year and the company has already said we can expect a “year full of surprises.”

Now we’re starting to learn more about what those surprises might be as BMW will reportedly mark the occasion by unveiling an all-new iM2.

According to Car Magazine, the coupe is being developed under the “Project Katharina” codename and will have insane performance specifications. How insane? Try four electric motors that reportedly produce a combined output of 1,341 hp (1,000 kW / 1,360 PS).

Also Read: Mystery BMW M2 Test Mule Spotted With An Electric Powertrain

That’s a ridiculous amount of power and it will reportedly enable the model to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 2.5 seconds or less. The car has also reportedly lapped the Nürburgring in less than seven minutes which, if true, would best times posted by supercars such as the McLaren 720S and Ferrari 488 Pista.

Little else is known about the model, but the publication claims it will have the “most extreme battery technology conceived to date” as well as a “radically advanced level of torque vectoring hitherto available only to the cars you see in cartoons.”  They went on to say the vehicle is being developed to showcase the extreme performance and handling that is possible with electrification.

While the project is reportedly a “work in progress and not yet an approved program,” one insider told the magazine that a limited edition variant is likely. We’re a bit skeptical, but the model would reportedly feature carbon fiber body panels, a rear seat delete, and lightweight glass as well as an insane electric powertrain.

Note: BMW M2 EV Mule pictured, credits CarPix for CarScoops

What Is The Quintessential BMW Driver’s Car, The One All Look Up To?

BMW’s MO has been to create the “Ultimate Driving Machine” and over the years, they’ve produced various cars that have certainly embodied that philosophy. However, as times change, so does the definition of what this means, and for that reason, it’s hard to pick just one BMW that is truly that: the ultimate driving machine.

Let’s take a look at a few of the contenders.

BMW E30 M3

Watch: What Makes The BMW E30 M3 So Freaking Special?

First is the E30 M3. Introduced in 1986, the E30 is the oldest car of the three. It was a homologation special based on a race-proven chassis, having seen great success in many forms of motorsport. With none of the heavy intrusion from modern electronic aids, the driving experience was about as raw as it could get. It was a no-frills car whose only goal was to be as enjoyable to drive as possible. Not to mention, on top of all its performance credentials, it was the car that started the M3 line, and one of the most recognizable performance nameplates of today would not exist if not for it.

BMW E46 M3

See Also: Get Your Techno Violet Groove With This Beautiful E46 BMW M3 Individual

Next up is the E46 M3. While the E30 may have been the first of the pure M3s, the E46 was, probably, the last. It was the last to have a naturally aspirated inline-six, as the succeeding generations used either more cylinders or forced induction. In that regard, it was the last modern M3 to retain some of that old-school driving experience. Faster than an E30 or E36, but more balanced and driver-focused than an E90 or F80, the E46 combined the best traits of all the M3s, while also dipping its toes further into luxury car territory.

BMW M2 CS

Watch More: The BMW M2 CS Is The Best Driver’s M Car Currently On Sale

Lastly, we come to the M2. With the other two cars in this article being 3-Series, we felt it would be nice to mix it up a bit. It is arguably the best modern BMW when it comes to having fun, and owners and reviewers alike all seem to share this sentiment. With a solid amount of power on tap, but the right amount of weight to keep things balanced, the M2, especially in CS guise, is undoubtedly the epitome of the modern “Ultimate Driving Machine” compared to its faster, but heavier, heavier M3/4, M5, and M8 siblings.

While there are of course many other iconic BMWs across the brand’s long, storied history, these were the three that we felt best embodied the brand’s philosophy of an all-around driver’s car.

Which of these cars do you think is the quintessential BMW? Or do you have your own suggestion? Let us know in the comments below.