Shootout: 2016 BMW M2 vs. 2016 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider
BMW's M2 is without question the rawest and most driver-focused vehicle in the M car lineup today, but is it good enough to make us pick it over a hard-core driving machine like the Alfa Romeo 4C? We hit the road and the race track to find out.
If you had $60,000 to spend on a sports car, would you pick the BMW M2 or the Alfa Romeo 4C?
In the M2, you have a 3,500 pound car with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine producing 365 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque.
The 4C is a 2,500-pound two-seater with a 1.75-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder making 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.
When it comes to styling, the M2 features a black grille, double-spoke wheels, specific fascias, trunk spoiler and wider rear body work to give it a more aggressive, but still lower-key appearance.
The 4C is a visual stunner with seductive curves that will turn heads everywhere it goes.
Both the M2 and 4C use dual-clutch transmission, but a good old-fashioned six-speed manual gearbox is available in the BMW.
The M2 rides on Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires that are good for both road and track driving.
The Alfa sticks with Italian-made Pirelli P Zero tires that get greasy fairly quick on the track.
The M2 is a throwback performance vehicle from BMW with its slimmer dimension, and simpler hardware.
Alfa's 4C delivers exotic car carbon fiber construction at a fairly attainable price point.