My FH5 Log: Dos Por Dos

Ah, the BMW M2. If my memory serves me correctly, this baby M car became my favorite when it was first launched nearly a decade ago. It's the car that often leaves drivers with a rather nice impression at the fit of peak. It's easy to fall in love with the M2 thanks to its driving feel.

As the sun sets on the original M2, the time's come to perform its metamorphosis.

The BMW M2 the world knew has turned and now on its G87 spec, the all-new, second-generation BMW M2 is locked and loaded to pick up the pieces where its F87 predecessor left off.

Having obtained from Forza Horizon 5's Horizon Creatives series update's Dry Season Playlist for 20 points, it's time for me to have the word on this odd-looking version of my favorite BMW M car.

Although this is based on the G42 2-Series Coupe, the M2 G87 features a totally different front face that differentiates it from the normal 2-Series Coupe. Under the hood, the M2 G82 uses the same S58 3.0L turbo six-cylinder engine as the M4 G82 but it's been detuned to produce 460PS of power and 550Nm of torque, which is more powerful than the previous M2 F87 Competition model. It can be mated to either a 6-speed MT or an 8-speed M Steptronic AT with Drivelogic which makes it capable of hitting a 0-100kph time of 4.1 seconds and a top speed up to 285kph thanks to an optional M Driver's Package. That's 5kph more than the old M2. It also features Active M Differential at the rear axle, Dynamic Stability Control, M Drive Professional with M Traction Control System, Adaptive M suspension, and other dynamic know-how involved.

The M2 G87 was designed and produced in Mexico, which makes it fit in the game's Mexican landscape.

Despite its butchered looks, it still drives just like the M2 I've remembered from a long time ago. With the added power, improved dynamics, and classic BMW M know-how, the M2 G87 still delivers just the good parts drivers are expecting. No, wait, it's far beyond expectations of what a proper M car should be. Fast, agile, and down-to-earth enjoyable behind the wheel. It's everything the all-new M2 is all about.

Having enjoyed my dibs on the M2 G87, the main question is how much improvement it gained compared to the previous M2? With that, I went back to the festival grounds to compare two generations of the BMW M2 and find out if the M2's metamorphosis from the F87 to the G87 paid off. Let's roll the VTR.

And now, the results...

M2 F87 - 1m18.445s

M2 G87 - 1m15.909s

I guess metamorphosis really paid off. The G87 model managed to beat the F87 at the rate of 2.54 seconds, I presume.

The BMW M2 G87 is still the undisputed favorite M car in this age of the new normal. Despite its odd-looking design, the added grunt and dynamics made the new M2 perform even beyond the wildest expectations. 

This baby M car has turned.

My GT7 Log: Stars and Us

The first-generation BMW M2 and the Ford Focus Mk3 RS are the coolest things to come out from the mid-2010s. No, I'm not referring to some orangutan who drove both of these cars from a certain streaming TV show. I'm thinking about the starry feeling about these two mid-2010s sports cars.

Both the M2 and the Focus RS are compact midsized sports car wonders that satisfy most drivers behind the wheel. The dynamics and character made these two special in every way but just how different between these two?

Beginning with the Ford Focus Mk3 RS, is known to be the last American hot hatch offered on American soil, although it was fully imported from Europe. It has a 2.3L EcoBoost engine that produces 320PS and it has the strongest braking system ever made for a Ford. Despite being 4WD, the Focus Mk3 RS features Drift Mode that allows this hatchback to drift like a rear-wheel-drive car.

When the first BMW M2 was launched, this successor to the 1M Coupe is powered by a 3.0L six-cylinder turbo engine that produces 370HP of power and 465Nm of torque. It can be mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed M DCT for the purpose of being quick on the line. The M2 featured in Gran Turismo 7 is the facelifted version, the M2 Competition. This version saw its engine power bumped to 405HP thanks to a new S55 engine sourced from its M4 big brother, capable of hitting a top speed of 280kph thanks to an optional package.

Having gotten to know these two, it's time to give these shining stars a one-lap drive toward memory lane at Brands Hatch. Man, it's just like I remembered. A long time ago in an upside-down country far far away, I put these two on a heated sprint race and found out that the less powerful Focus RS trumped the M2 by a narrow margin.

Now, here we are. Doing this stint again but this time, this is Gran Turismo 7. The M2 went through greater heights while the Focus RS remained the same. Still, what a reunion these two stars are, and looks like they're going to settle this again, this time at Brands Hatch. Roll the tape.

After the two have the time of their lives, here are the results;

BMW M2 Competiton '18 - 1m45.442s

Ford Focus RS '18 - 1m48.725s

It looks like the M2 is the winner of this...friendly rivalry between the two stars.

Rivals! Friends and foe alike, today and tomorrow! It's been an honor to drive these two machines once more even in a different game like Gran Turismo 7.

Sure, the Focus RS is already gone for good while the BMW M2's story continues in new and exciting ways, but these two are proven to be the most enjoyable machines not because of the performance and dynamics but because of the charm they possess. Something reminded us of a certain rivalry a long time ago. 

Sounds girly but it's all about dreaming and rolling. Get it? Dreaming and rolling, that's what these two cars are all about and I love them for it.

Keep your dreams rolling, no matter where you are!

BMW M2 G87

The BMW M2 is regarded as one of the best M cars ever made thanks to its back-to-basics approach and its all about bringing driving back to the drivers. With the all-new G87 model, does the all-new M2 retain the mantra from its predecessor even with its questionable looks?

2024 BMW M2

With prices starting at 72,800 Euros plus additional costs, the all-new BMW M2 G87 promises to retain the magic of its well-loved predecessor but despite its promise, the questionable looks will make speedo boys think twice before laying their finger on it.

While this is based on the G42 2-Series Coupe, the all-new M2 swapped the normal 2-Series Coupe's front design for a butchered one judging by its new headlamps and a rather un-BMW-ish frameless kidney grille design, among the other aerodynamic upgrades implemented to it. Inside, it works just like the normal 2-Series Coupe but the all-new M2 is packed with a choice of either M sports seats or M Carbon bucket seats with the latter weighing 10.8kg less than the former. Easier said than done, they said but whatever.

Under the hood, the all-new M2 is armed with the same S58 3.0L turbo six-cylinder engine as its hideous big brother, the M4, but it's been detuned to produce 460PS of power and 550Nm of torque. That's more than what you get from the old M2. As expected, it can be mated to either a 6-speed MT or an 8-speed M Steptronic AT with Drivelogic which makes it capable of hitting a 0-100kph time of 4.1 seconds and a top speed limited to 250kph. 285kph if you opt-in for an optional M Driver's Package. That's 5kph more than the old M2.

Because the all-new M2 is rear-wheel-drive only, you'll fall in love driving with it more than the previous one, and because of its Active M Differential at the rear axle, Dynamic Stability Control, M Drive Professional with M Traction Control System, Adaptive M suspension, and other dynamic knowhow involved, you'll find various ways to get addicted to it either on the streets of Berlin or at a track day in the Nurburgring, not necessarily in that order.

Despite its controversial looks, the added performance and dynamics made the all-new M2 the one to have at this moment in time. Love it or hate it, this baby M Coupe is ready to show its magic to those behind the wheel, and between you and me, we're getting anxious and jealous to drive one someday. Bring it on, BMW!

Photo: BMW AG

BMW 2-Series Active Tourer U06

The BMW 2-Series Active Tourer is the first front-wheel-drive BMW ever made when it was first launched several years ago and of course, being the first FF BMW in history, it caused fire and fury from purists everywhere because it doesn't behave like a BMW but as a family-oriented BMW for those who despise crossovers, it fits through all walks of life. With the second generation, this all-new Active Tourer is going to have some serious explaining to do.

2022 BMW 2-Series Active Tourer

Starting at 36,000 Euros plus additional costs, the second-generation BMW Active Tourer picks up where its predecessor left off and that means, irritating more purists than the last one with new and extreme ways to make scandals on the public. 

First and foremost is the design; and because the new Active Tourer behaves in the new normal BMW design approach, its massive vertical-shaped kidney grille is another proof of why speedo boys are heavily irritated with BMW's design trends of today. To be brutally honest, the front face is a stark reminder of why BMW's terrifying looks are here to stay, like it or not. As the world complains about the new model's front face, it is still similarly sized compared to the previous model. It's still an MPV made for those who despise SUVs.

2022 BMW 2-Series Active Tourer interior

While the exterior design is playing dirty like today's BMWs, the interior is part functional, part comfortable, part spacious, and part annoying. Right and wrong balanced out. The functional topic is all about the range of usable gadgets you can play around with while the comfortable topic focuses on its improved creature comforts fit for a five-seater MPV, the spacious topic focuses on the added space courtesy of its new platform and with the rear seats folded down, there's more room for important stuff, and the annoying part is...there are some like for instance, voice control.

2022 BMW 2-Series Active Tourer

The all-new Active Tourer is offered with a choice of petrol and engines at launch with the additional PHEV model coming this summer. They're all mated to a 7-speed Steptronic double-clutch gearbox. The range-topper for ICE variants is the 223i M Sport Pack with the 2.0L petrol engine that produces 218PS of power and 320Nm of torque. With the xDrive set, it sprints from 0-100kph in 6.9 seconds and onwards to 238kph. Pretty quick for a luxury MPV.

Running on a new front-wheel-drive platform derived from the current 1-Series, the new Active Tourer is not meant to be driven dynamically like a BMW. In fact, it feels hypoallergenic and civilized at the same time, even when kitted out with a sporty suspension setup available. Not enjoyable as such but it's worth getting its groove for an MPV that tries to outsmart its chief rival, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class.

On the topic of safety, the all-new Active Tourer is armed with the most advanced safety features offered including the Driving Assistant Professional with Steering and Lane Control Assistant, giving it Level 2 capability. Speedo boys don't like it but whatever.

The all-new BMW 2-Series Active Tourer continues to irritate purists more than its previous model not only because of its new FF platform but also its terrorizing front face that was slapped on this family-oriented luxury MPV. Either way, there's no denying that the all-new Active Tourer strives to outsmart the B-Class by a long shot. Like it or hate it, the all-new Active Tourer is all about living a life in a day for business-class families. So thank you, BMW, and you're welcome.

Photo: BMW AG

BMW 2-Series Coupe G42

The controversially confused 2-Series branding managed to live on with the latest version of BMW's baby two-door coupe and unlike today's 1-Series hatchback and its 2-Series Gran Coupe relative, this two-door 2-Series Coupe prefers to be rear-wheel drive just like its predecessor, something akin to Toyota's AE86 from the past. Never mind the Axis nonsense because it's time to have a word with the all-new 2-Series Coupe.

2022 BMW 2-Series Coupe

Priced at 39,700 Euros plus additional costs, the all-new 2-Series Coupe retains the rear-wheel-drive layout from its predecessor, a nod for hardline Bimmer purists who felt disgusted over the luxury carmaker's trends of today.

Beginning with the design, the G42 2-Series Coupe can be easily mistaken for a Rover 200 Coupe juiced up by the yardies. Yardies aside, it's nearly identical to the previous model it replaces, and thanks to such compact proportions, despite being slightly bigger than its predecessor, you can truly slip through the streets like a show-off.

2022 BMW 2-Series Coupe interior

Step inside and its familiar Bimmer interior layout is not like the ones found in its unrelated machines such as the 1-Series and the totally unrelated 2-Series Gran Coupe as expected because the folks from BMW wanted their new 2-Series Coupe to be away from the pack and be original because this is the only rear-wheel-drive 2-Series car you'll be getting.

For a two-door sports coupe with two extra seats in the back, the new model hasn't escaped the tech reality because it's armed with the available BMW Live Cockpit Professional powered by BMW Operating System 7, allowing drivers to take advantage of its technological marvel including its smartphone integration, OTA updates, Driving Assistant, and the most annoying feature of all, the Amazon Alexa Car Integration. Don't worry, you'll be using this by yourself because you're driving solo while toying around with its toys.

2022 BMW 2-Series Coupe

Being the only small rear-wheel-drive luxury sports coupe in existence, the all-new BMW 2-Series Coupe loves to handle like a serious sports car because of its reworked aerodynamics, suspension, and chassis, not to mention lightweight materials involved in the making of this car as well as Variable sport steering, M Sport braking system, Adaptive M suspension, and the M Sport differential. When you take it to the corners, it feels so dramatic and enjoyable to drive full-stop. You'll spend a couple of minutes appreciating just how great its dynamics are.

Under the hood, the new 2-Series Coupe is powered by a choice of a 2.0L petrol, 2.0L diesel, and in the case of the M240i xDrive, a 3.0L 6-cylinder TwinPower Turbo engine with 374PS of power while mated with 8-speed Steptronic transmission.

While the 2-Series Coupe is meant to be enjoyed on a daily basis, its driver assistance systems rather spoil its sporty character. Such example is the standard Front-collision warning, Speed Limit Info, and Lane Departure Warning, not to mention the available Driving Assistant and Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function.

With the new 2-Series Coupe no longer related to its front-wheel-drive equivalents, this is nearly a win for the purists because, despite its controversial styling, it's still one of the most enjoyable sports cars for the price of a Honda Civic Type R FK8. A real bargain.

Photo: BMW AG

BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe

The 2-Series naming has been used on various body styles starting from the compact rear-wheel drive coupe we all love and the front-wheel drive people movers that we don't. To make it more complexing, there's a Gran Coupe in the range but don't get your hopes up because the first-ever 2-Series Gran Coupe is basically a saloon version of the latest 1-Series Hatchback, the front-wheel drive of course.

Starting at 31,144.54 Euros plus additional costs, the 2-Series Gran Coupe is the 2-Series most speedo boys may not like but it was aimed squarely at the likes of the A-Class Sedan and the CLA-Class as well as the Audi A3 Sedan. Late for the party but this leftist Bimmer sure knows a thing or two about how to deal with its homegrown foes.

Scoping through the design, the 2-Series Gran Coupe shares nothing in common with the two-door 2-Series. From every angle, this odd-eyed curiosity looks a bit bulky compared to its rivals and the questionable kidney grille in the front adds some more unanswered questions. In other words, it looks like a commoner's car on the road rather than a well-sculpted German luxury car on a budget.

On the inside, the baby Gran Coupe is surprisingly cozy to live with while on the driver's side, the toys stuffed in the dashboard can be worth enjoyable and annoying at the same time. Sure, it's got loads of tech ranging from smartphone connectivity, gesture control that is very BMW, voice controls that are annoying, and the BMW Intelligent Personal Asssitant that is so Alexa-ish, among many others to list, but rest assured that the baby Gran Coupe is all business and all pleasure. Boot space? Let's call it moderately good for heaps of groceries or other stuff it can fit through.

Because it runs on the same front-wheel drive platform as today's 1-Series, the 2-Series Gran Coupe isn't as fun to drive as its big brothers but it feels somewhat stable in some parts of the road even on pavements smothered with dirt, ice, and water. With the DSC system off, the 2-Series Gran Coupe shows off its rather BMW-ish side which isn't bad for a front-wheel drive saloon, although rather mild and tangy like a less spicy taco sauce.

In the range-topping M235i xDrive with its 306PS turbocharged 2.0L engine mated to an 8-speed Steptronic Sport gearbox and xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive that comes with a newly made LSD, it's a different being that blends the right balance of performance and stability, although it will leave drivers bruised with its grippy character that others may find it struggling to turn because it doesn't have the torque vectoring nonsense that the cooler M cars had. Challenging but worth the shot.

The 2-Series Gran Coupe may not be the best Gran Coupe you can drive but it sure knows how to add challenge to the likes of the A3 sedan, the A-Class sedan, and the CLA-Class. Overall, it's a decent luxury car on a budget that shows how serious BMW is, even when our favorite German luxury car maker's turning left at the moment.

Photo: BMW AG

Forza Motorsport 7: Driving the M2

The BMW M2 can be easily criticized by some for not being a proper M car because it has an ordinary BMW engine, basically a turbocharged 3.0L l6 engine on the front, but thanks to its back-to-basics approach, it can be easily regarded as one of the best M cars ever made, which is very exaggerating to think that the baby M car is the best car to live with. Despite being slower than any other M cars of today, the M2 is all about bringing driving back to the drivers and that really is perfection on so few levels.



It's hard to say why I am falling in love with the M2 not because of being small but because it has a unique characteristic I had fallen in love since I first set off with this thing back in Down Under years ago. Why? Because it's enjoyable at so many levels, which is unheard of for a baby M car powered by an ordinary turbocharged BMW engine.



Yes, I know that this car can get a bit twitchy and can be a real pain in the corner in the event of the understeer but with so much character on it, this is exactly why I am starting to fall in love with the M2 more than its M4 big brother, in fact, there's so much to tell about it.



So, the M2, 3.0L straight-6, turbocharged, 365HP, stronger and lighter wheel carriers, improved suspension components, and locking differential from the M3, this M car is all about getting familiar with this car, and even though it's not the fastest M car around, it's still one of the most enjoyable M cars to drive even though you are new to this. No wonder Top Gear host Chris Harris likened it to the old M3s of the last century but he mostly preferred its 1-Series M Coupe predecessor. Speaking of which, who wants to see the M2 round the Top Gear Track? Basically, the prime target was the BMW 1M's 1:25 lap time and let's see if I can do better with its successor. Ready? Cue the tape...



After a lap around the Top Gear track, which took me a fortnight, it did it in 1:24.932, which is amazingly similar to the 1M's lap time. Not bad, even though it wasn't a quick car to do the job rather nicely.

I'm already in love with this M2 because while this isn't the fastest despite its size, this is the car that you can spend a lot of time with until you had enough of it, and no matter how hard I try, it often left me with a rather nice impression at the very end.

FH3 Hot Wheels: To Greater Heights

The BMW M2 has been one of my favorite M cars in Forza Horizon 3. I once challenged it against a Ford Focus RS as well as a Bentley Bentayga for some all intents and purposes and it shows that even though it's not as sharp and as powerful as any of the BMW M-cars, the M2 is better in every tangible way and I can get around with this Bimmer as long as I want, as long as that design I made is with me.



Now, it's ready to take on a brand new challenge, this time at Hot Wheels Thrilltopia because we're in a middle of our Hot Wheels arc of our Horizon trip, and to get itself prepared for this new kind of challenge, I've created a masterpiece just for the M2.







Love the new design I made for this? Made to replicate Yume Nijino's new outfit on the second season of Aikatsu Stars. I know, I know, it's an S4 uniform and with Yume wearing the outfit only the most elite students should wear, it feels great that she finally got the dream of becoming one of them. But even though her dream to be an S4 was fulfilled, there's more work need to be done to defend her title and to that, she needs help from one of her friends. Someone who spins herself like she was thunderstruck, someone who loves to poke her belly, and there she is.



Well, if it isn't the turbocharged, all-wheel drive, Ford Focus RS, with the Rola Sakuraba-themed look I made for it. However, it looked different from the last time. Wonder why...











Okay, now that explains everything. Rola in the same uniform as Lily Shirogane really mean one thing. No, she's not as desperate as she is but because she was easily defeated by Yume, all she ever does is to work as hard as she can before she can join the elite ranks some other time. Now that she's on the same boat as Yume and the others, they're officially partners again. Just like old times.



Anyway, with their designs updated to keep up with the times, as well as some new tricks to their sleeves since our last encounter with these things, let's see if they are ready to go through new heights in this epic roller coaster paradise we are venturing right now. Are these gals ready for the trip of a lifetime?






After a little night out at the Thrilltopia, it's fair to say that even through they've changed a bit, their attitudes never changed a bit and looks like they're up to greater heights, literally! The one who achieved the dream and the other one trying hard to be like her, they're in sync with each other! Speaking of which...



Heh? What's that queenly majesty doing here? Something tells me this isn't over between those two. He he he. Anyway, let's leave it at then and in the meantime, we have the whole Thrilltopia to go around for more as the journey continues.

Forza Horizon 3: The Princess and The Dream

This is the Bentley Bentayga and yes, I know. It was from the Rockstar Energy Car Pack for Forza Horizon 3, I drove it last time on Blizzard Mountain, and I even decorated it with a touch of a princess from an idol school. So now why am I driving it again?



Well, there's one main reason why am I driving it again because I really liked it. I may not be used to driving an SUV made by the company behind the Continental GT but the more I drive the Bentayga, I'm starting to realize that there's more to this hunk of meat because despite being a luxury SUV built to cater against the Range Rover, the Bentayga really behaves like a sportscar and while I still have the Hime decor made by me, looks like everyone's going to upset about why a princess like her trashed the competition like it was nothing happened.







No matter how tough the opponents are, she's just minced them like marinated salisbury steak served on a fancy dinner plate at a five-star restaurant only reserved for VIPs, And if that wasn't enough, this classy SUV with the first-class comfort fit for a princess like her to take her on a ski holiday is not afraid to get her face dirty, especially when a strong cyclone hit Down Under. Yep, she really is that extraordinary for a Bentley...



She really is that good for a Bentley of that size and that Bentayga is no exception when it comes to surpass the competition with its style and performance that makes this Bentley extraordinary. Ahem, sorry about that, but that design I made for the car before is what made me fell in love with the Bentley Bentayga and for such a heavy luxo-barge, it still feels like a sportscar and it's not afraid to take on all comers.

So, the Bentayga really is like an invincible princess that stands the crowd, what's it like to take on against the one who is living the dream?



Yep, our old friend, the BMW M2. Hey, still got that Yume Nijino decor I made for that car since our first encounter! How was it then? Great? Anyway, we got two unrelated machines with two similarly themed designs and what we have here is a match between the princess and the dream. This can make a very interesting match.

For fair play, all of their upgrades have been stripped out and they can reclaim it after the match. With the upgrades stripped out and reverted back to normal, some arrangements have been made. Let's look at the stats; the Bentley Bentayga is powered by a 6.0L W12 engine producing 599HP of power and 663ft-lb of torque. It does 0-60mph in four seconds and onwards to 187 mph (301 km/h). The BMW M2 Coupe, meanwhile, is powered by a small 3.0L 6-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 365hp of power and 369ft-lb of torque. Despite producing very less than the Bentayga, has a 0-60mph time of 4.3 seconds and electronically limited to 155mph, it's two thousand pounds lighter than the Bentley.



Okay, let's translate these numbers into lap times and see who can make it to the Surfers Paradise Festival Site first. A standard Bentayga set the target time of 2:35.989 and the goal for the M2? BEAT THE CLOCK.

Before setting off, there's just one major confession about this stunt; with that grace and demeanor the Bentayga showed, feels like the M2 couldn't stand up to this challenge but with such confidence and optimism, this Bimmer, along with the design themed after Yume, is ready to show everything it has and without further ado, the battle between the greats has begun and I got it on the tape.



The time? 2:31.418! About four seconds faster than the mighty Bentayga! This is the moment I've been searching for! It's like Yume defeated Hime for the school's best idol and yes, you get the point. Anyway, enough about that idol trash because this shows that this isn't about size and power when it comes to competition because when you dream big, you can accomplish everything!



Man, what a night it was! Seeing a M2 defeating the Bentayga is like David pinned down Goliath and for a sportscar that is smaller than any other M car from BMW, the M2 really has a lot of ideas to share with. So, what do you say? Ready for your first day tomorrow morning? I'm looking forward to see what's next with this little M car filled with hopes and dreams for us all. Have fun.