The luxury sports coupe segment is rather small. Many drivers these days seem to prefer the convenience of four doors. Still, there’s a lot to get excited about in this vehicle class.
And one major reason is the all-new BMW M2. The Bavarian automaker’s latest motorsports-bred product features a turbocharged inline-six under its shapely hood. Thanks to ample boost, this 3.0-liter powerplant delivers 365 horses and 343 lb-ft of torque, all of which is routed to the rear wheels. However, there’s also an over-boost function that temporarily increases twist to 369 lb-ft for even quicker acceleration and enhanced driving fun.
As for transmissions, the M2 is available with either a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic or a proper six-speed manual. The former makes this car a little bit quicker, though without three pedals it does sacrifice some driving engagement. In any event, models equipped with the self-shifter can hit 60 miles an hour in as little as 4.2 seconds.
SEE ALSO: Five Reasons the M2 Will Restore Your Faith in BMW
As for its cross-state rival, the Audi S5 is not to be denied by this new kid on the block. It features a supercharged 3.0-liter V6, a slightly different take on the same idea, though this formula is not quite as muscular. It delivers 333 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque.
The Audi’s giddy-up is routed to all four wheels through the company’s legendary quattro all-wheel-drive system. As in the BMW, two transmissions are available, a seven-ratio dual-clutch unit or a six-speed manual. With the latter gearbox this mean machine can reach mile-a-minute velocity in a claimed 4.9 seconds, just a hair slower than the Bimmer.
So there you have it, the low down on two enthralling German sports coupes. Which one do YOU prefer? Which one would YOU rather drive every day? Vote in our latest poll and let us know! To help you reach a decision compare these cars directly right here.
