Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWjourney
Guys, would you rather have it turbocharged or just a pure straight 4 cylinder? Keep in mind the pure straight 4 cylinder would probably sound better.
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With emissions and fuel economy requirements, a 2.0L I4 N/A engine wouldn't come close to 300 HP. We'd be fortunate to get the specific output of the S14B25 EVO3 (remember, that engine was 2.5L and Euro only), which would put it around 240 HP. The E30 M3 was a 2800 lb car, and did 0-60 in just over 6s with the baddest S14 they made. The M2 won't be 2800 lbs. We're hopeful for 3000 lbs, but don't be surprised if it's a bit over that. With a 2.0L (or even 2.5L) naturally-aspirated engine, it would be a dog.
I'm all for BMW letting HP take a back seat to handling and road holding, but there are limits to what the market will tolerate. Dropping in a gutless N/A I4 isn't an option. If anything, I think we'd rather see an engine like the S54 make a comeback, but again, that's not happening because of emissions and fuel economy requirements.
Notes on specific output
To back up my claim that there is no level of magic BMW M could use produce a naturally aspirated 2.0L I4 with anything close to 300 HP for the M2, have a look at this list of
superlative specific-output engines from 2012. Here's what an M-developed N/A 2.0L I4 looks like at various levels of insane specific-output:
Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0
Ferrari 458 Italia
125 hp/L: 250 HP
Lexus LFA
115 hp/L: 230 HP
Audi RS5
Lamborghini LP570-4 Superleggera
108 hp/L: 216 HP
Some have suggested they could increase the bore or stroke to increase displacement. I disagree that they'll do this, but here's what an M-developed N/A 2.3L I4 looks like at various levels of insane specific-output:
Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0
Ferrari 458 Italia
125 hp/L: 288 HP
Lexus LFA
115 hp/L: 265 HP
Audi RS5
Lamborghini LP570-4 Superleggera
108 hp/L: 248 HP
Given that the price point for the M2 will likely come in under the M3/M4, I think it's unrealistic to expect the level of development investment required to reach Porsche or Ferrari levels of output. I believe they could reach some level between the Audi/Lamborghini and the Lexus LFA, but remember that the LFA is no longer produced, and Audi is going all forced-induction across the board because of the emissions and fuel economy requirements that I keep bringing up. An engine developed today must be usable for years to come in order to justify the investment. Like it or not, this is the context in which automobiles are developed.
Hopefully this puts to bed the idea that there is a N/A M-car around the corner. It's simply too far from anything BMW is producing right now.