AMG AND BMW M HAVE been taking shots at each other for decades, trading blows and more-powerful punches on each other up and down the product lines. So much so that the M development team stopped looking at what AMG was doing some time ago and instead turned to see what Porsche was up to, to determine what it had to do better to get the upper hand over its Affalterbach rivals.
It's a strategy that has seen M2s, 3s, 4s and 5s pull away from their A, C and E counterparts and continue to lord it over their rivals. Back-to-back eCoty wins with the M2 CS and M5 CS cemented M's return to form, although the M4 CSL dropped that ball before it was scooped up again by the M3 CS. BMW will be hoping for no further mishaps with the new hybrid-powered M5 later this year.
This match-up should be a foregone conclusion, then £67,030 M2 against the latest £63,285 A45 S. Rear-drive, straight-six engine, six-speed manual gearbox and the precision of an M differential against an eight-speed DCT, four-wheel-drive, highly strung four-cylinder hyperhatch with an aero kit to embarrass a Touring Car driver.
What the M2 lacks in technical armoury it makes up for by being little more than a cut-and-shut M4; it's the same width as its big brother at 1.8 metres, is only 21cm shorter overall and is taller by a hair's breadth. Which also explains why it weighs 1700kg.
And it feels as big as it looks. The optional carbon bucket seats swallow you whole, the window line rises up above your shoulder, the double-screen display fills your lower eyeline and even ardent BMW fans who enjoy sitting as close as possible to the floor might find the M2's seating position a little low. You're always conscious of your road position, too, making small adjustments to keep its Pilot 4 Ss between the white lines and away from the inevitable potholes.
Denne historien er fra April 2024-utgaven av Evo UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra April 2024-utgaven av Evo UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Cupra Formentor Abt
It's farewell to the original Cupra Formentor with an Abt-tuned run-out package. It's a quietly excellent car; just a shame about the price...
Renault Sport Clio 200 Turbo
This misguided departure from the French brand's hot hatch heritage saw the Clio fall from grace
REBIRTH OF AN ICON
The Kalmar 9X9 is a modernday reinterpretation of Porsche's game-changing 959 supercar, with a carbon body and up to 917bhp. And evo is helping to develop it
Volkswagen Golf GTI
The underachieving Mk8 GTI gets a shot at redemption with the new, revised Mk8.5 version. Is it the leap forward it needs to be?
BEST BUYS
FAST FORDS FROM THE CORTINA TO THE ESCORT AND THE FIESTA, Ford is responsible for some of the most popular cars in British history. But alongside these everyday machines it has also produced a stream of desirable driver's cars.
HY AND DRY
The switch to electric power means an early exit for Hyundai N's brilliant ICE hot hatch duo. We go for a farewell drive in the 120 N
SEXY BEAST
The Vanquish name is back for Aston Martin's latest seriesproduction flagship, with a stunning new look and simply brutal performance from an 824bhp twin-turbo V12
THE JOY OF DRIVING
From mastering the everyday commute to unlocking the full potential of your performance car, our new series will help you become safer, more confident and ultimately more skilled behind the wheel
TINY DANCER
You haven't seen a Mini dance like this before, but then you haven't seen a Mini with a 4-litre M Power V8 under the bonnet and rear-wheel drive. Introducing Vini...
LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO
Grandaddy to the Temerario and the car that transformed Lamborghini was the brilliant, V10-engined Gallardo. We get reacquainted with a Lambo legend
