Tuesday, October 3, 2023

My FH5 Log: Dos Por Dos

Ah, the BMW M2. If my memory serves me correctly, this baby M car became my favorite when it was first launched nearly a decade ago. It's the car that often leaves drivers with a rather nice impression at the fit of peak. It's easy to fall in love with the M2 thanks to its driving feel.


As the sun sets on the original M2, the time's come to perform its metamorphosis.




The BMW M2 the world knew has turned and now on its G87 spec, the all-new, second-generation BMW M2 is locked and loaded to pick up the pieces where its F87 predecessor left off.


Having obtained from Forza Horizon 5's Horizon Creatives series update's Dry Season Playlist for 20 points, it's time for me to have the word on this odd-looking version of my favorite BMW M car.

Although this is based on the G42 2-Series Coupe, the M2 G87 features a totally different front face that differentiates it from the normal 2-Series Coupe. Under the hood, the M2 G82 uses the same S58 3.0L turbo six-cylinder engine as the M4 G82 but it's been detuned to produce 460PS of power and 550Nm of torque, which is more powerful than the previous M2 F87 Competition model. It can be mated to either a 6-speed MT or an 8-speed M Steptronic AT with Drivelogic which makes it capable of hitting a 0-100kph time of 4.1 seconds and a top speed up to 285kph thanks to an optional M Driver's Package. That's 5kph more than the old M2. It also features Active M Differential at the rear axle, Dynamic Stability Control, M Drive Professional with M Traction Control System, Adaptive M suspension, and other dynamic know-how involved.

The M2 G87 was designed and produced in Mexico, which makes it fit in the game's Mexican landscape.


Despite its butchered looks, it still drives just like the M2 I've remembered from a long time ago. With the added power, improved dynamics, and classic BMW M know-how, the M2 G87 still delivers just the good parts drivers are expecting. No, wait, it's far beyond expectations of what a proper M car should be. Fast, agile, and down-to-earth enjoyable behind the wheel. It's everything the all-new M2 is all about.



Having enjoyed my dibs on the M2 G87, the main question is how much improvement it gained compared to the previous M2? With that, I went back to the festival grounds to compare two generations of the BMW M2 and find out if the M2's metamorphosis from the F87 to the G87 paid off. Let's roll the VTR.


And now, the results...

M2 F87 - 1m18.445s

M2 G87 - 1m15.909s

I guess metamorphosis really paid off. The G87 model managed to beat the F87 at the rate of 2.54 seconds, I presume.


The BMW M2 G87 is still the undisputed favorite M car in this age of the new normal. Despite its odd-looking design, the added grunt and dynamics made the new M2 perform even beyond the wildest expectations. 

This baby M car has turned.

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