YOU would not refuse an offer to be citizen of the most awesome place for BMW M enthusiasts, would you?
So when the good people at BMW Group Malaysia invited the New Straits Times’ Cars, Bikes & Trucks (CBT) to a place that was specially made for the world’s most powerful letter “M”, we accepted it without second thought.
So on one lovely Friday recently, CBT was in the BMW M Town at the Sepang International Circuit to discover some of the German marque’s greatest inventions and learn how to be a better driver.
Before we got behind the steering wheel for an all-out adrenaline-fueled drive around the 5.54km track, BMW Group Malaysia managing director Harald Hoelzl had this to remind the participating media corps, and subsequently launch the all-new BMW M2 Competition.
“M is synonymous with power and has been the symbol of ‘Thrilling Sportiness’ for many generations now. Every time a new generation of the M is born, a new benchmark is set.
“Paying homage to the first turbocharged BMW vehicle introduced in 1973, the new BMW M2 Competition has built upon the legacy of the BMW 2002 Turbo to introduce a true motorsports masterpiece for this generation.”
Driving experience
After a 15-minute or so briefing by BMW M trainers, we got to train our limited skills on the tricky circuit behind the wheel of a BMW M4, BMW M5 and of course, the star of the show, the all-new M2 Competition.
The M4 and M5 are not exactly new. Hence, this space will focus on the M2 Competition.
Being the latest sports car from the BMW M Division to grace the stage, the M2 Competition is a complete premium performance vehicle that is tipped to change the game and set new records in precision driving.
The M2 Competition has proven its circuit credibility by performing a lap time of 7:54 minutes on the famed Nurburgring Nordschleife Circuit in Germany.
Here in Sepang and in the hands of local experts, the M2 Competition smoothly negotiated tight corners and chicanes. It responded to one’s commands at the slightest hint of a turn or brake, amid wet tarmacs at some stretches of the circuit that day.
Providing improved traction and control on slippery roads is the recalibrated Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system in the new M2 Competition.
It is further supported by the BMW Active M Differential, an electronically-controlled multi-plate limited-slip differential that takes traction and directional stability to a new level of precision and speed.
Full locking power of 2,500 Nm is available within 150 milliseconds, allowing the system to prevent the wheels from spinning in dangerous situations.
The Sepang circuit is known for its long straight stretch. This allows the M2 Competition to burst forward in full throttle.
It was able to slow down at breakneck speed without jerking the driver forward. The driver was kept comfortably in his seat while letting the car do much of the work.
The core
Sitting at M2 Competition’s core is a new engine based on the power unit used in the M3 and M4.
The inline six-cylinder engine with M TwinPower Turbo Technology produces 410 hp and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds. It has a top speed of 250 km/h.
For the first time, the driver of the M2 Competition can use two selector switches in the central console to directly adjust various characteristics and settings for the engine, steering and Drivelogic functions.
Drivelogic forms part of the car’s seven-speed M double clutch transmission. This system effectively combines two gearboxes, each with its own clutch, and enables ultra-smooth shifts with no interruption in the flow of power.
In automatic and manual modes, Drivelogic provides the driver with a choice between preconfigured driving programmes: Comfort, Sport and Sport.
Outstanding exterior
The exterior design language of the new M2 Competition is a sleek departure from its relative
Its new front skirt with modified air intake optimises air flow to the sophisticated cooling system, while simultaneously improving the visual presence of the car.
The larger BMW kidney grille is painted in high-gloss black, as are the side gills on the front wings for a distinctive sporty profile. The classic LED headlights steadily illuminate the road ahead.
The addition of the M-specific twin strut side mirrors improves aerodynamics of the new M2 Competition.
The sleek BMW individual high-gloss shadow lines provide cues that the M2 Competition is indeed a very special car.
The M2 Competition also boasts a revised new exhaust system.
The dual-branch design features a new muffler and the four tailpipes, finished in black chrome, mark it out as a BMW M model.
Two electrically-controlled flaps ensure that the new M2 Competition delivers the distinctive BMW M tune, which the driver can adjust by selecting a driving mode with M Dynamic Performance Control by pressing a selector switch on the centre console.
Advanced infotainment system and cozy interior
Our preoccupation with the drive means there was almost zero opportunity to peruse the M2 Competition’s advanced infotainment system.
Briefly, the system - nestled on the carbon fibre interior trim - features an 8.8” Navigation system Professional with Touch Display capability. It also features the BMW M Laptimer for enhanced motorsport telemetry.
It also boasts Harman Kardon HiFi loudspeaker system to give a perfect musical accompaniment for every drive.
The car’s interior convenience is optimised by the addition of Comfort Access and rear seat backrest with 60:40 split.
Conclusion
BMW said the M Town embodies the kind of passion for high performance cars that lies in the heart of car lovers and fans, no matter where they live.
Indeed, and the RM626,800 M2 Competition entails powerful driving dynamics and unbeatable handling at the forefront of its outstanding design.