The new M2 from BMW was announced back in October, the vehicle made it North American debut at the Detroit Motor Show this week.
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Overshadowing the X4 xDrive35i, the newcomer squeezes 355 hp and 343 lb-ft of twist from its turbocharged 3.0-liter in-line six.
Offering best-in-class acceleration, the X4 M40i does the zero-to-60 miles per hour sprint in 4.7 seconds and benefits from stronger springs and stabilizers, increased camber on the front axle and adaptive dampers specifically tuned to M Performance specifications.
The normal, M-less BMW 2-series is a fantastic vehicle to drive. Named obtusely as the X4 M40i, this version is perhaps the closest that BMW’s more rakish X3 will get to wearing a genuine M badge.
Showcased in Detroit is a white example, featuring a restyled front bumper with large air intakes, side mirrors finished in Ferric Grey, new rear diffuser, and 20-inch M light-alloy double-spoke wheels. In all that, I never really wanted more power, but if your goals include things faster than sleeping or peeing, the M2 does it, and it’s now officially priced at $51,700. The X4 will be available in February.
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The model will come standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission and looks to bridge the gap between the standard X4 models and an X4 M if it arrives in the future. Inspired by its motorsport roots, the BMW M2 sets the pace in its segment when it comes to agility, driving feeling, directional stability, steering precision and controllability at the limit, without any compromise in everyday use. “We’ve had lots of success with the M3 as a 4-door, and of course the M4 is a 2-door version, and we have other 4-door performance cars in the lineup like the M5”, he tells journalists Monday.
