BMW M2 vs. Ford Focus Mk.3 RS

For some enthusiasts who might think that exotics are for the weak or who don't really like exotics at all, there are some sportscars that deliver exciting thrills at reasonable prices. One such example is BMW's brand new M2 Coupe, the latest addition to the BMW M Power.

2016 BMW M2 Coupe

Does anyone remember the legendary BMW 1M Coupe? Five years ago, BMW made one of the most agile sports coupes ever made and although dead, its sheer reputation isn't beaten. Now, BMW revived the tail-happy reputation of a compact rear-wheel drive coupe in the form of the 2-Series coupe and what can I say? It behaves just like the original 1M but in a different sort of manner.

So, what are the key ingredients to make the M2 an ideal compact sports coupe that you can mess around with your mates? Judging by its specs, I gotta say that I might have a love-hate reaction to it. Starting with the engine; it's a 3.0L Twin Turbo 6-cylinder engine that was used on the top-of-the-line version of the normal 2-Series Coupe but with a little bit of zest added to mutate it into something spunky. As a result, it produces 370HP of power and up to 465Nm of torque if you engage its over-boost feature.

The M2 can be a lot more enjoyable to drive when it sticks to its normal 6-speed manual gearbox but a 7-speed DCT? Why not? Although the 6-speed manual is made for serious drivers only, the 7-speed DCT is made for those who are driving for fun no matter the odds. With this gearbox, it will do 0-100kph in 4.3 seconds and onwards to an electronically limited 250kph. Also, it has a combined fuel consumption of about 79.l/100km and 185g/km of CO2 emission, which isn't so bad for a turbocharged car.

Anyway, by the way, it handles through corners, the M2 really feels at home through the bends like a tropical monsoon and while this is essentially a fun car to drive on a track day, it can be somewhat bothersome to use it as a daily driver and one and three minutes later, you're going to make a video about things you hate this car like what you did with the other sportscars. One thing you can bother about the M2 is the Electric Power Steering and when you engage its steering to the highest setting, you'll find it hard to steer at all. Don't worry though, when it hit the suspension and gearbox in the highest setting while setting the steering to the lowest setting, it will be easy to drive like what you did to the M4. Logic, I should say.

Okay, if the new M2 works well as a track-day car if you set things right? Care to guess the other problem of its car? Well, in case you got buddies, getting through the back seat is a...ahem...hustle in the muscle. So, in case of a backseat access problem like this, may I suggest an even better alternative.

2016 Ford Focus RS

This is the all-new Ford Focus RS. Look, it's got five doors, meaning that your buddies can get inside without all that hustle with their muscles, and because it's a hatchback, this is the jack-of-all-trades.

Unlike the M2, the new Focus RS comes with a smaller 2.3L turbocharged engine producing 20HP less than the M2. And unlike the M2, which comes with two gearbox choices, the RS is available exclusively with a 6-speed manual, so it's fun.

Speaking of fun, you should know that the new RS is made to be an all-weather hot hatch because it comes with a four-wheel drive just like a Subaru WRX STi, which means it can go anywhere that the BMW M2 can't, be it tarmac, gravel, or snow. In conclusion, the Focus RS is a rally car made to be accessible to the motoring public and I can hardly blame that new Need For Speed game for ownership rights to these two cars. Perhaps those guys who made racing games should have to pay more attention to motoring news if they need the inspiration to feature cars like this but that's life.

It's a shame that EA mistreated this new Ford Focus RS for illegal street racing purposes portrayed in the new Need For Speed game as well as the BMW M2, well save it on the M2 for now, because up until now, no one's brave enough to get their hands on Ford's latest hot hatch masterpiece that succeeds where the previous Euro-only RS left off.

Now for the pricing, the BMW M2 starts at 56,700 Euros or 51,700 US Dollars while the new Focus RS starts at 35,900 US Dollars, meaning that this four-wheel drive hot hatch is 20 grand cheaper than the rear-wheel drive Bimmer. Sadly, I wouldn't bother having one of these unless anyone other than Need For Speed would feature these just for our driving pleasure. Despite all that ruckus, both the BMW M2 and the new Ford Focus RS are compact sports cars fit for different purposes on both road and track. I really wish I want to be either one of these right now unless someone dared to do it.