“The place is the guide?” That’s what most of us have been questioning when BMW unveiled the M2 CS. It’s a legitimate query, contemplating its “F87” predecessor got here with a stick. The brand new “G87” Competitors Sport, nevertheless, is just accessible with an eight-speed automated transmission. So what provides? Lengthy story brief: the engineers prioritized horsepower on the expense of the third pedal.
We requested M’s Head of R&D, Dirk Häcker, final weekend at Le Mans, why the M2 CS skips the guide. It’s lacking as a result of it will probably’t deal with greater than 473 hp and 550 Nm (405 lb-ft) and nonetheless meet BMW’s necessities. The brand new hardcore model delivers a hefty 523 hp and 650 Nm (479 lb-ft), output ranges that may have exceeded the 6MT’s limits.
For the M2 CS, the corporate had to decide on between both unlocking the total potential of the engine or limiting its capabilities to retain the three-pedal setup. BMW selected the previous. Why? Based on Häcker, the guide wouldn’t have allowed the automotive to be highly effective sufficient to earn its CS badge and ship the observe efficiency anticipated from a Competitors Sport mannequin.
When BMW up to date the usual M2 final yr, its inline-six engine gained 20 hp, reaching 473 hp, or the utmost the guide might deal with. Nonetheless, torque remained unchanged at 550 Nm (405 lb-ft), as solely the Steptronic model was bumped to 600 Nm (442 lb-ft). Now we all know why.
At this level, you is perhaps pondering we forgot in regards to the 3.0 CSL. In spite of everything, the M4 CSL-based particular version holds the title of BMW’s strongest six-cylinder manufacturing automotive. BMW tuned the twin-turbo 3.0-liter “S58” engine to 553 hp, but it retained the guide transmission. Häcker defined that this was doable for a number of causes:
“It’s almost the identical one (gearbox utilized by the M2 and three.0 CSL). The factor is, now we have completely different necessities. I feel all people is aware of the three.0 CSL is a really uncommon, unique automotive. It is not going to be pushed day by day. Additionally, not the mileage. So, we had a particular dedication general to make use of it there, nevertheless it’s not an choice for a observe software or one thing like that.”
As for what that “particular dedication” concerned, we are able to guess a number of components. Value could have performed a task because the 3.0 CSL reportedly value round €750,000. Homologation guidelines possible additionally performed a task, as the trendy Batmobile was a low-volume mannequin, restricted to simply 50 items. However even in that automotive, engineers needed to cut back torque to 550 Nm (405 lb-ft), matching the guide M2, M3, and M4.
Nonetheless, we must always be grateful for what now we have. Mercedes and Audi have lengthy deserted the guide gearbox. The M2 might retain its stick till the very finish, which is reportedly set for 2029. The M3 and M4 will bow out sooner, however these automobiles are possible going to maintain the guide till manufacturing ends. The primary BMW to lose the guide would be the Z4 M40i subsequent yr, when the roadster shall be discontinued.
