Quote:
Originally Posted by Wilson
I totally agree with you, and therein lies the dilemma for BMW. Other manufacturers may not be constrained by the amount of HP in this segment at risk of bleeding sales from their own vehicles next up the chain, so they can chase the 400 HP figure.
And we all know that its far cheaper to make more power in an engine than it is to make a car significantly lighter once you reach a certain point.
I get what people are saying, if BMW can make the M2 circa 200 ~ 300 pounds lighter than the CLA / RS3 / R 400 then they might get away with 355 ~ 360 HP, but the other manufacturers are all trying the same thing to make their cars lighter as well. By early indications the R 400 is going to be a bare bones go cart and I expect the Black A45 will be the same. The TT 420 if it comes to market has the potential to make the M2 look like a horse drawn cart.
All I'm saying is I expect this M2 to handle brilliantly with near perfect balance, that's a given, it is after all an M car, but it does none the less need to compete with its competitors.
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The R400 and TT 420 are real ringers. BMW says the HP wars are over, but someone apparently forgot to tell VAG
There's definitely a segment of buyer who will happily purchase an M2 that is down on power from these competitors, but there's an equally represented (maybe even larger) segment who will lean toward the car that performs better on paper (HP, 0-60, 1/4 mile, etc).
We're definitely in a transition period. Quoth Don Draper, "If you don't like what is being said, then change the conversation." BMW is trying to change the conversation by headed off in a new direction: lightness. It's a forward looking bet, for sure. It's going to cost them margins early on, but presumably, if the entire market comes around to the idea of lightness-first, they'll look like innovators. That perception will provide the ROI needed to justify the up-front expense.
As a businessman, I really appreciate companies who are willing to take bets. I'm a total Elon Musk fanboy for the same reasons. BMW is no Tesla, but of the mainstream automotive manufacturers, they are willing to take more risks than typical.