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BMW Reportedly Testing M2 Engine

It seems like all the rumors about BMW actually making a proper 2 Series M car are coming true. According to various sources quoted by numerous BMW-affiliated websites, the Bavarians are already testing what is shaping up to be the engine that will power the upcoming M2.
BMW M2 Rendering 1 photo
Photo: DSM Car Design
Despite previous reports claiming that the new car will be using a 4-cylinder 2-liter turbocharged engine, apparently it’s going in a different direction, with a 3-liter turbocharged inline 6-cylinder configuration, based on the N55 architecture, wearing the N55B30T0 codename.

That means, the Motorsport people are thinking of going in the same general direction as with the 1M that didn’t have a proper M engine but rather a steroid-pumped ‘regular’ N54 unit. We all know how good that car was, so there shouldn’t be a problem here either.

If they also decide to stick with the manual gearbox only, things only get better and better. Of course, weight will also be an issue but, as the M2 will be a somewhat smaller version of the M4, using all the CFRP parts from the bigger coupe shouldn’t be a problem. Hopefully, the end result will be a sub 3,000 lbs car.

That would allow the M2 to provide the visceral feeling everyone expects from it, with mind blowing numbers too. If the power output of the engine reaches well over 350 HP (maybe close to 400 HP) and the torque will be similarly high (around 500 Nm), the baby M should do the 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint just as fast as the M3 and M4, near the 4 second mark. Being smaller and lighter will make it even more fun in tight corners and on a proper track.

The same insider at BMW is saying that the N55B30T0 engine will also migrate on the new X4, turning one model of the future line-up into an M Performance Automobile. The M40i will, most likely, be launched well after the official launch of the new SAC and will have impressive numbers as well.

However, in this case, there’s going to be a lot more work in it for the German engineers. That’s because, unlike the M2, the X4 won’t have a bigger car to share pieces with and almost everything will have to be done from scratch. Even so, things are looking up and the X4 M40i could provide an interesting driving experience.

Via: Bimmerfile
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