The End of an Era
CAR South Africa|June 2023
Welcome to the last ever pure petrol BMW M car and potentially the last to be made available with a manual transmission
Gautam Sharma
The End of an Era

Price: R1 503 975 Engine: 3,0-litre, 6-cylinder, twin-turbo petrol Transmission: 8-speed automatic Power: 338 kW@ 6 250 r/min Torque: 550 N.m@ 2 650–5 870 r/min 0–km/h: 4,1 seconds* Top speed: 250 km/h (285 km/h opt) Fuel consumption: 9,70 L/100 km* CO2 emissions: 220 g/km Rivals: Audi RS3, Ford Mustang 5,0 Mach 1, Mercedes-AMG A45 S, Porsche 718 Cayman GTS

+ True M-car performance in a compact yet practical rear-wheel-drive package
- With fuel and a passenger it weighs over 1 800 kg blunting the extra grunt

Scorching performance and taut dynamics are a given in any car rolled out by BMW's M Division, but the M2 arguably nails the sweet spot better than any other modern model. Fast, compact and agile, it recaptures the feisty spirit of past Bavarian icons such as the BMW 2002 Turbo and the muchloved E30 M3.

It's no surprise the existing M2 has been the best-selling M model to date, with more than 60 000 examples built and sold during its lifecycle. However, time waits for no man or car, and after six years, the time had come for a generational change.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM CAR SOUTH AFRICAView all
Toyota Fortuner
CAR South Africa

Toyota Fortuner

Considered by many as the quintessential adventure SUV, the Fortuner is about as strong a used buying proposition as you can get in this segment. We take you through the things to look out for and list two rivals for comparison.

time-read
4 mins  |
CAR July 2024
MIND THE HURDLE
CAR South Africa

MIND THE HURDLE

With a repaired car and a point to prove, Alex Shahini returned for Round 3 of the Toyota GR Cup at Zwartkops Raceway to achieve a career-best finish

time-read
2 mins  |
CAR July 2024
KING OF KILLARNEY
CAR South Africa

KING OF KILLARNEY

For four decades, Denis Joubert was directly involved with the creation, development and ongoing success of Cape Town's international motorsport venue, Killarney. Having just celebrated his 90th birthday, we talk to the man whose contribution to South Africa's motor-racing heritage is priceless....

time-read
6 mins  |
CAR July 2024
Selecting the 4WD SYSTEM for your needs
CAR South Africa

Selecting the 4WD SYSTEM for your needs

As 4WD SUVS and double cabs grow in popularity, more first-time buyers face the challenge of selecting a vehicle with a drivetrain that best meets their requirements. We explain the key differences between the all-wheel drivetrains available

time-read
6 mins  |
CAR July 2024
Kia Picanto 1.0 LX MT
CAR South Africa

Kia Picanto 1.0 LX MT

Kia's ever-popular budget hatch has recently received a range of exterior and interior updates - we test the entry-level variant to see if it remains a force to be reckoned with in this highly competitive segment

time-read
3 mins  |
CAR July 2024
Super C
CAR South Africa

Super C

The fastest and most technologically advanced flagship C-Class to date, AMG's C63 S has evolved into an electrified uber-sedan. Has this mighty model forsaken some character in pursuing this status? We strapped our test equipment to the new shooting star.

time-read
4 mins  |
CAR July 2024
Bentley's Brutes
CAR South Africa

Bentley's Brutes

A break in proceedings during an exclusive preview of the fourth-generation Bentley Continental GT afforded us an opportunity to sample the stately yet hair-raising Bentayga S

time-read
3 mins  |
CAR July 2024
RUNNING UP THAT HILL
CAR South Africa

RUNNING UP THAT HILL

Now in its 14th year, the Simola Hillclimb continues to combine adrenaline-fuelled competition with showcasing some of the most appealing classics out there in a heady mix that keeps local petrolheads coming...

time-read
3 mins  |
CAR July 2024
BAND OF BROTHERS
CAR South Africa

BAND OF BROTHERS

Complete with rugged bakkie-based underpinnings that encourage off-the-beaten-track venturing, largely proven powertrains that afford maximum range and towing capability, and brand names with enviable respective reputations for reliability, adventure SUVs remain the favourite of thousands of South Africans.

time-read
7 mins  |
CAR July 2024
TWELVE OF THE BEST
CAR South Africa

TWELVE OF THE BEST

Ferrari keeps things suitably old-school with its V12-engined 12Cilindri GT

time-read
2 mins  |
CAR July 2024