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What are the cars the new BMW M2 will be conquesting when it hits dealer showrooms around the globe? The newest M model will likely give BMW a golden opportunity for conquest sales with performance buyers who are looking at other brands. They will get many new buyers looking at the performance coupe, if they can find one. The M2 is in an untapped niche market evidenced by early sales. BMW Australia is almost sold out before the car even makes its dealer launch.
This untapped market will give BMW an edge over the competition. BMW Australia Managing Director Marc Werner said, "There’s a niche that is untapped with this type of car. We will likely see new customers, some of them from different brands and potentially have been driving those kinds of hot hatches before, and customers that have not necessarily have been in a BMW before.”
The M2 comes with a TwinPower Turbo 3.0-liter 6-cylinder inline engine that pumps out an impressive 365 bhp and 343 lb-ft of torque. This is more than 70 lb-ft of additional torque than the past generation M3 produced. It features a lightweight aluminum suspension, comes with a manual gearbox with rev-matching technology, a fully variable Active M differential and high performance brakes. The starting price on the new M2 is $51,700 not including destination.
This isn’t a comparison of horsepower vs horsepower, but a quick look at overall performance for those looking for a sports car that pegs the fun-to-drive meter. Price can be a factor, yet with today’s financing and leasing options, buyers will stretch to get it even if it’s $10,000-$15,000 more. What cars will the M2 conquest?
Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG
The European-only Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG comes with the most powerful series production four-cylinder engine in the world. It’s a hot hatch that’s hard to beat. The high power 2.0-liter turbo engine combined with the standard AMG 4MATIC all-wheel drive offers extreme performance. The 2014 A 45 AMG accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds, with a top speed of 250 km/h. The hot hatch sells in Europe for 39,995 Euros. ($43,316 US).
Audi RS3
Another hot European-only hatch comes in the Audi RS3. It starts at 53,390 Euros ($57,825 US) and is powered by a 2.5-liter TFSI engine producing 367 horsepower and 465 Nm of torque. It also comes with all-wheel drive. It can sprint from 0-62mph (0-100km/h) in just 4.3 seconds, same as the BMW M2. While it’s not offered in the U.S., the slightly less powerful Audi S3 Sedan can be had for $42,500 on this side of the pond.
Ford Focus RS
The 2016 Ford Focus comes with 350hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. This hot hatch also comes with all-wheel-drive and it’s starting price is $36,605. This model is available in the U.S. and figures to be a popular car with performance enthusiasts. It competes with the Subaru WRX STI, Mitsubishi Lancer EVO and Volkswagen Golf R. It will sprint from 0-62mph (0-100km/h) in as low as 4.7 seconds. Even though the price is considerably less, the BMW M2 could draw buyers away from this U.S-bound performance model.
Alfa Romeo 4C
This darling of the automotive world is also available in the U.S. The new M2 is priced closest to the Alfa Romeo 4C as it has a starting price of $53,900. The 2-Door sporty Italian roadster comes with impressive performance. The car is powered by a 237hp, 258 lb-ft torque turbocharged inline-four, with a top speed of 160 mph. It’s the weight-to-power-to weight ratio that gets your attention at 10.4 lbs/hp. It will sprint from 0-62mph (0-100km/h) in just 4.1 seconds making it high on the fun-to-drive meter.
BMW M4
The M2 Coupe will certainly draw performance buyers away from BMW’s own stable. The M4 Coupe will lose some conquest sales to it’s new stablemate. The M4 is around $12,000 more than the M2, and when you add in a few extras, the price quickly climbs to $80,000+. The smaller M2 uses much of the M4’s engine technology to develop it’s impressive performance. Marc Werner knows the M4 will likely lose sales to the M2 and it could even pass the M4 in sales. He says, “We don’t know yet, it’s too early to say whether it will outsell M4.”
Source: BMW Australia
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