Photo: CarPix
BMW decided to replace the popular 1 Series Coupe and Convertible with a brand new model, called the 2 Series. Few things have been written about this new car but everyone is wondering whether BMW will launch an equivalent of the 1M Coupe.
This equivalent would have some pretty big shoes to fill and some stiff competition. Out of the top of our heads its main competitors will be the Audi RS3 and Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG, two extremely powerful, yet small cars.
The question is, what kind of engine should this car have? Most BMW aficionados want the M division of BMW to fit it with a 6-cylinder 3-liter turbocharged unit, kind-of the same as the one mounted on the iconic car it's supposed to replace.
However, the competition has smaller engines. The Merc will have the highest specific output engine ever made, with 360 HP out of a 2-liter unit. The current Audi RS3, which recently stopped production, has 340 HP out of a 2.5-liter engine and the future version is rumored to have around 400 HP.
Those are troublesome numbers for BMW. We think they would go for a 2-liter 350-360 HP, or at least that's what should happen. 2.5-liter units are no longer built by the Bavarian manufacturer so using one of those seems highly unlikely.
However, they could always surprise us and create a whole new 5-cylinder 2.5-liter unit that could develop some impressing numbers, reaching around 400 HP. That would definitely mean trouble for the CLA.
If the BMW engineers go for the 6-cylinder, things will get out of control. The power will easily reach 350 HP, especially since it will have to be more powerful than the E82 1M Coupe. But having 2 more cylinders means more weight and brings up a matter of pride.
Since Mercedes is using only a 4 pot engine, it's extremely probable the Bimmer will have the same configuration. Even if the M2 will have less power, some other improvements could be made, like making it extremely light.
Recent discoveries in the Carbon Fibre and CFRP research might help the M division create an ultra-light car that won't be needing so much power to overtake its Stuttgart and Inglostadt competition.
For the next 2 years we'll just have to speculate but things are heating up in this segment and we can't wait to see what BMW has in store for us. For the moment, the only certain thing we do know, is that there will be an M235i model, that is currently undergoing tests on the Nurburgring. That model will definetly be the top of the 2 Series range and an M2 is highly unlikely for the time being.
However, one limited edition series with a better gearbox and more powerful engine, derived from the M235i could be included in the future plans of the Bavarian company, just to please the fans.
The question is, what kind of engine should this car have? Most BMW aficionados want the M division of BMW to fit it with a 6-cylinder 3-liter turbocharged unit, kind-of the same as the one mounted on the iconic car it's supposed to replace.
However, the competition has smaller engines. The Merc will have the highest specific output engine ever made, with 360 HP out of a 2-liter unit. The current Audi RS3, which recently stopped production, has 340 HP out of a 2.5-liter engine and the future version is rumored to have around 400 HP.
Those are troublesome numbers for BMW. We think they would go for a 2-liter 350-360 HP, or at least that's what should happen. 2.5-liter units are no longer built by the Bavarian manufacturer so using one of those seems highly unlikely.
However, they could always surprise us and create a whole new 5-cylinder 2.5-liter unit that could develop some impressing numbers, reaching around 400 HP. That would definitely mean trouble for the CLA.
If the BMW engineers go for the 6-cylinder, things will get out of control. The power will easily reach 350 HP, especially since it will have to be more powerful than the E82 1M Coupe. But having 2 more cylinders means more weight and brings up a matter of pride.
Since Mercedes is using only a 4 pot engine, it's extremely probable the Bimmer will have the same configuration. Even if the M2 will have less power, some other improvements could be made, like making it extremely light.
Recent discoveries in the Carbon Fibre and CFRP research might help the M division create an ultra-light car that won't be needing so much power to overtake its Stuttgart and Inglostadt competition.
For the next 2 years we'll just have to speculate but things are heating up in this segment and we can't wait to see what BMW has in store for us. For the moment, the only certain thing we do know, is that there will be an M235i model, that is currently undergoing tests on the Nurburgring. That model will definetly be the top of the 2 Series range and an M2 is highly unlikely for the time being.
However, one limited edition series with a better gearbox and more powerful engine, derived from the M235i could be included in the future plans of the Bavarian company, just to please the fans.
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