OWNSIZING. THAT’S BEEN A BUZZWORD FOR A
while now and, for many a car enthusiast, it’s been a
downward spiral with big V12 engines replaced by smaller
turbocharged V8s or big V8s replaced by smaller turbo V6s or,
worse, turbo fours. While they may match power output and
reduce fuel consumption and some gas problems, they tend to
keaway from the car in some cases. Take away how? Well, some
carsarelegends and some are new names. The new names are not a
problembecause many car folk tend to accept some cars for what they are.
However, the problem beginswhena revered name loses
something characteristic — one aspect that played a
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Most of the time, it’s the engine. Other times, it’s a
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engine is laid out. BMW have a few such revered names
and one of them is, and has been for a while, the M3.
The M3 is essentially a family saloon with a powerful
in-line six-cylinder engine that makes for smooth
acceleration, augmented by fantastic driving dynamics,
nimble handling characteristics, and a ride quality that
works every day — and not just on the autobahn or
racetrack. It’s come a long way. A long way that’s seen
the automobile world rocked by fuel crises, sky-
rocketing fuel prices, climate change and consequent
emission control, and, of course, with a growing number
of road users, automotive safety. Add all of that in over the years and it adds
more than a few pounds. The present-day M3, then, is progressively much
larger than its predecessors, not to mention it has four doors. The much-loved
M3 Coupé never made it to this present and we got the equally long M4; not
quite how many imagined it would pan out eventually. However, BMW
pulled a new card from their deck we didn’t quite see coming then — the 2
Series Coupé. Then they made an M2.
Diminutive it may have seemed but the M2 was practical downsizing with
none of the associated downfalls. The car was small but the engine, power,
torque, and the all-important fun factor were much, much larger. Many
wished they would see it in India, but it never did. Shortly thereafter, BMW
did this, the M2 Competition. An engine almost straight out of the old M3,
with the compact size of the 2 Series Coupé and a lot more power, too. When
you look at it, it pretty much marks itself out as arguably the best real-worldr
tak
carsa54 CAR INDIA May 2019 http://www.carindia.in
Road Test BMW M2 Competition