Tag Archives: BMW M2

News

Choose a manual gearbox while you still can, says Frank Weber

Although more and more manufacturers offer cars with automatic transmissions only, BMW is one of the companies that tries to keep manual transmissions in its range, especially when it comes to M models. Since they could soon be removed from offer, Frank Weber advises you to buy a car with a manual gearbox while they are still on offer.

“They are fun cars, but let’s be honest, there are fewer and fewer of them. And that’s why there’s no point in developing them anymore. If you want a manual transmission, you have to buy it now, before it’s too late,” added Weber, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG.

His message had an effect. According to official data, in January 50% of BMW M2 cars sold were with manual transmission. At the same time, BMW sold 20% of M3 and M4 models with manual gearbox. Also, at the end of last year, BMW decided to offer the Z4 roadster with a manual transmission, thus joining the Toyota Supra, which offered such an option from the start.

In America, the M division currently only offers M2, M3 and M4 models with an optional six-speed manual transmission. On the other hand, in the UK only the M2 can be ordered with a manual gearbox due to very low demand. “We have customers who drive 25,000-30,000 kilometers a year and don’t want to stand in the city traffic, changing speeds,” added Weber in an interview with the Italian magazine Quattroruote.

BMW currently offers many cars with a manual gearbox, however the increased demand for an automatic gearbox could change this, as in Europe almost 70% of buyers opt for this option.

Source: Quattroruote

News

BMW will not give up the manual gearbox

Last year, Mercedes announced that they would gradually stop offering cars with manual transmission in Europe, which definitely disappointed a number of their customers. However, another German brand, BMW, has announced that it will not stop offering a manual gearbox, but will charge an extra €500 for it. It was a good business move, because according to sales data for the last 12 months, 50 percent of BMW M2 buyers opted for a manual transmission, while 20 percent of M3 and M4 buyers chose the same option.

The manual gearbox definitely loses the battle against the automatic transmission. The reason is the costs. In September, CEO at BMW M GmbH Frank van Meel said: “The vast majority of BMW cars are now offered exclusively with an automatic transmission, as few buyers are looking for a manual transmission. It would be easier if only automatic cars came off the assembly line. Instead we have a small number of customers looking for a manual transmission in the M2 series which creates additional complications and increases costs.”

“A manual gearbox is slower, results in higher fuel consumption and sometimes affects the top speed, so from an engineering point of view this type of gearbox no longer really makes sense,” said van Meel.

Also, BMW announces the imminent arrival of a new generation M5 model that will be powered by a plug-in hybrid engine. This means that the Bavarian brand will not give up the V6 engine in the near future, as AMG did.

Source: BMW

Tuning

ACS2 Sport based on the BMW M2

In its 36 years of tuning BMW cars, the German company AC Schnitzer has improved some of the best models of this German brand. Now, the tuner has introduced the ACS2 Sport based on the new generation BMW M2 G87.

The car is equipped with several carbon body components based on a modular principle, which means that you can opt for a complete conversion or select individual parts. Among them, the newly designed front spoiler stands out, which Aachen points out significantly improves the car’s aerodynamics.

The adaptive suspension has been improved, which allows the front part to be closer to the ground by an additional 35 mm, and the rear by 30 mm. There’s also an adaptive exhaust system with carbon tips, a set of black or gold 20 and 21-inch AC4 Lightweight wheels wrapped in 285/30/20 front and 295/25/21 tires, while the brakes have not been changed.

Under the hood is a 3.0-liter twin-turbo engine with 453 hp (333 kW) and 406 lb-ft (550 Nm) of torque. The engine is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission that sends power to the rear wheels. It reaches 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.3 seconds (4.1 seconds with the 8-speed automatic transmission) with a top limited speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

Source: AC Schnitzer

Gallery:

ACS2 Sport based on the BMW M2