The wait for enthusiasts eager to get their hands on the much-wanted M2 Competition is nearly over, as BMW dealers have begun accepting bookings for the model. The car will be priced in the region of Rs 85 lakh (estimated, ex-showroom) when it launches towards the end of 2018 in India; deliveries are set to begin before the year ends.
For the uninitiated, the M2 is the smallest of BMW’s hot M line-up. And it sure has the right ingredients. It uses a detuned version of the M3 and M4’s 3.0-litre, six-cylinder, twin-turbocharged petrol engine. The award-winning unit makes 410hp and 550Nm of torque. Power is channelled solely to the rear wheels. However, there's some sad news for enthusiasts. India will not get the manual as speculated but the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT).
BMW claims a 0-100kph time of 4.2sec for the automatic and a limited top speed of 250kph; though this can be raised to 280kph with an optional Driver’s Package.
At launch, BMW will offer three colour options – white, silver and orange. Other exterior paint shades are also on offer but buyers will have to wait longer for them to be delivered. Interestingly, BMW dealers that will be retailing the model have been given a target of selling 2 units each.
When it arrives, the BMW M2 Competition will directly take on Porsche’s 718 Cayman, which is priced at Rs 85.95 lakh (ex-showroom, India). However, the M2 Competition has the advantage in terms of engine size (the Porsche gets a 2.0-litre flat-four, turbo-petrol engine) and output figures, making 110hp and 170Nm more than the Cayman.
Porsche Cayman or BMW M2 Competition - which one would you buy? Let us know in the comments section below.