Photo: BMW
It was June 2014 when we were breaking the news that the BMW X4 will be getting an M Performance version and more than a year later the Germans decided actually to confirm our suspicions. It was also back then we were telling you that the SAC will be using the same engine as the F87 M2 that is bound to be unveiled next week.
Well, since the Bavarian machine was revealed and we got to take a look at the powerplant under its bonnet, we now have a better idea of what the M2 will bring to the table. The thing is, the plants won’t be exactly the same.
Looking at the diagram for the power and torque delivery of the N55 unit used on the M40i model, we can hardly imagine that the F87 M2 will be using it too. That’s for a number of reasons.
First of all, we’re all expecting more power. The M car is rumored to have 370 HP at its disposal and all of that will be available due to various parts that were borrowed from the S55 plant used inside the M3 and M4.
Furthermore, the peak power delivery RPM interval should be different as well. On the M40i, you get 360 HP only between 5,800 and 6,000 RPM and that’s a minuscule range if you’re to ask me. 200 RPM doesn’t cut it these days, especially on a performance model.
As for the torque, the M Performance model gets 465 Nm (343 lb-ft), a hefty increase compared to the stock xDrive35i model that has 306 HP and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft). As far as we know, the N55B30T0 unit of the M2 will have the same amount of torque but will be able to go up to 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) with the overboost function, for short spurts at a time.
Furthermore, we should also take into account that the difference compared to the fastest M235i model needs to be noticeable, to justify the prices the two will have.
That being said, with the M4 posting a time of 4.1 seconds to 100 km/h (62 mph) with the 7-speed DCT gearbox and the M235i xDrive with the 8-speed automatic doing the same sprint in 4.6 seconds, the M2 should come in at 4.3 or 4.4 seconds. That’s with the 7-speed DCT gearbox, of course, the manual probably adding 0.2 seconds.
It all sounds enticing at the moment and the margins to work with in terms of performance are tiny but in the end, we’re in for a proper M car that will be small and hopefully nimble on its feet.
The thing is, we know on good authority that there were some cutbacks made to avoid stepping into M4 territory on purpose. For example, the M2 could’ve been made lighter (just by adding the CFRP roof, for instance) but the management decided not to do that to avoid creating a car with better performance than the M4 and with a smaller price tag.
Pricy? Depends on how you look at it. The rival for this car would be the Cayman GTS and that model starts at $75,200. Another choice would be the 911 Carrera, but that’s even more expensive, at $89,400. Of course, we’re not comparing anything else but the performance and price tags of the two so you need not start a whole Porsche versus BMW debate here.
Looking at the diagram for the power and torque delivery of the N55 unit used on the M40i model, we can hardly imagine that the F87 M2 will be using it too. That’s for a number of reasons.
First of all, we’re all expecting more power. The M car is rumored to have 370 HP at its disposal and all of that will be available due to various parts that were borrowed from the S55 plant used inside the M3 and M4.
Furthermore, the peak power delivery RPM interval should be different as well. On the M40i, you get 360 HP only between 5,800 and 6,000 RPM and that’s a minuscule range if you’re to ask me. 200 RPM doesn’t cut it these days, especially on a performance model.
As for the torque, the M Performance model gets 465 Nm (343 lb-ft), a hefty increase compared to the stock xDrive35i model that has 306 HP and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft). As far as we know, the N55B30T0 unit of the M2 will have the same amount of torque but will be able to go up to 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) with the overboost function, for short spurts at a time.
0-100 km/h in 4.3 or 4.4 seconds
Now, considering all of these facts, we can make an even better estimate of the performance figures this car will show once it’s revealed. The numbers should be kept away from the M4, in order to avoid cannibalizing the sales of the M3 Coupe replacement car.Furthermore, we should also take into account that the difference compared to the fastest M235i model needs to be noticeable, to justify the prices the two will have.
That being said, with the M4 posting a time of 4.1 seconds to 100 km/h (62 mph) with the 7-speed DCT gearbox and the M235i xDrive with the 8-speed automatic doing the same sprint in 4.6 seconds, the M2 should come in at 4.3 or 4.4 seconds. That’s with the 7-speed DCT gearbox, of course, the manual probably adding 0.2 seconds.
It all sounds enticing at the moment and the margins to work with in terms of performance are tiny but in the end, we’re in for a proper M car that will be small and hopefully nimble on its feet.
The thing is, we know on good authority that there were some cutbacks made to avoid stepping into M4 territory on purpose. For example, the M2 could’ve been made lighter (just by adding the CFRP roof, for instance) but the management decided not to do that to avoid creating a car with better performance than the M4 and with a smaller price tag.
How much?
Speaking of which, the pricing of the new M2 should also fall between the two cars mentioned above. With the M235i xDrive starting at $46,100 and the M4 at $65,400, there’s a lot more leeway to play with here. Most likely, if you want one of these, you’ll have to pay at least somewhere in the upper $50,000 region.Pricy? Depends on how you look at it. The rival for this car would be the Cayman GTS and that model starts at $75,200. Another choice would be the 911 Carrera, but that’s even more expensive, at $89,400. Of course, we’re not comparing anything else but the performance and price tags of the two so you need not start a whole Porsche versus BMW debate here.
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