When the BMW M2 debuted, the world started to buzz about BMW finally being back, back to making sports cars that were about the experience and not about the performance figures. It’s about the journey, not the destination. So in a way, the BMW M2 is the exact opposite of its newly released rival, the Audi TT RS.
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The Audi TT RS is a car that is packed with incredible technology and performance and is exactly about its bottom line. It’s designed to go very fast, very efficiently and very easily without any loss in traction while being very comfortable doing so. It’s designed to be a car that can be driven fast everyday, all the time. With that as its goal, the TT RS is a massive success, but is it as enjoyable to drive as the M2?
Both cars are very fast and very capable and also designed to be used everyday, but that’s really where their similarities end. The BMW M2 uses a 3.0 liter turbocharged I6 engine that develops 365 hp and 343 lb-ft of torque. While the Audi TT RS uses a 2.5 liter turbocharged I5 engine that makes 400 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. Both cars can drive their wheels through seven-speed dual-clutch gearboxes, but the M2 is the only one available with a manual, increasing its fun-to-drive factor. Also in the M2’s fun-favor is the fact that it’s rear-wheel drive only, whereas the TT RS is Quattro all-wheel drive only, but it can send the majority of its power to the rear wheels when needed.
In terms of performance figures, the Audi TT RS does have the M2 beat, though. Racing from 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds, the TT RS is at least four tenths faster than the M2, as that car can do 0-60 mph in 4.0 seconds with the DCT but only 4.2 with a manual. It also has much more grip, making it faster in real world driving as well. Plus, having driven both brand’s dual-clutch gearboxes, I’d have to give an ever-so-slight edge to Audi’s S-Tronic unit. BMW’s DCT is truly great, but Audi’s is Porsche PDK-good, maybe even better.
In term of practicality, the two cars are pretty similar. Both are two-door coupes with engines at the front, normal sized trunks and decent backseats for children. The M2 has a bit bigger of a backseat that is more accommodating to adults, but we wouldn’t recommend any long trips in the back of either.
On the inside, though, the Audi TT RS does pack some more luxuries and far more impressive tech. Whereas the M2 is intentionally pretty basic, as BMW was trying to go for a no-frills sports car cabin, the TT RS is filled with diamond-quilted leather, a massive Virtual Cockpit and a Bang & Olufsen stereo. It’s a gorgeous cabin that makes the M2’s driver-focuses sports car interior seem spartan. Not bad, just kinda boring.
However, that boring cabin, with the lack of a sunroof or any other frivolities, the M2 allows the driver to simply drive. It allows the drive to focus on the task of driving which is what the M2 is all about. There’s a beauty to that. Plus, when it actually comes down to driving the M2, it’s a very rewarding car. Its steering is delicate, its chassis is balanced and its engine makes a beautiful straight-six song.
On the other hand, the Audi TT RS is more of an impressive and exciting car to drive. While it doesn’t have the beautifully delicate steering of the M2, as it’s quite numb, it is very accurate. Its chassis balance isn’t as sublime as the M2’s, and its all-wheel drive nature actually causes a bit of understeer at the limit, but its brutal grip allows it to be tenaciously fast. It’s almost like a mini Nissan GT-R, where its performance demands respect and is extremely impressive, while it doesn’t necessarily win over your heart.
Yet despite all of their differences, both cars are designed to be everyday sports cars, cars that have great performance but can be driven to work everyday as well. So which is the better everyday sports car? Is it the BMW M2 that compromises just a bit of comfort and luxury for the thrill of proper driving or is it the Audi TT RS that compromises a bit of that perfect driving thrill for something that can be used in any weather and has tremendous technology? This one might be too tough to call.
[Source: QuattroDaily]
Audi owns the pathetic m2 all the way. Like I always said, bmw is the only useless car brand in the world. It isn’t the best at anything.
BMW is the only useless car brand in the world? I am so curious what you drive to work every day. Will you be honest and post it here? Or are you a typical troll that is so brave to type those words behind a computer lurking at home?
He’s a troll, plain and simple.
It’s kinda true. BMW isn’t the best at anything.
I used to drive a 523i and I changed to E350. The difference in quality, reliability and status is night and day. bmw is simply pathetic when put next to Mercedes-Benz.
Let’s be real for a second, this is a Golf.
This is Golf as same, like Bentley Bentayga is A4 B9.
VW Touareg*
lmao
The round vents and quilted seats on the Audi are meh.
But those rectangular vents and un-quilted leather in the M2 are so beautiful! A triumph of design!
Jason is right, the dash of the Audi is surprisingly uninspired : brings you 20 years back…
This is a comparison we’re doing right? Am I to assume you think the BMW interior is better?
The M2 is a wonderful sports coupe, very fast and great on the track, but luxury? Nope…There’s nothing luxurious about the M2
BMW’s aren’t about luxury, they’re about….. ummm……..
And once again, a car maker can’t get directional wheels right. Is it really that hard Audi?
Porsche, Mercedes and BMW do the same.
Yes, it’s wery hart. Wir bitten um Entschuldigung!
I see a clear winner here: the M2.
Just look at that TT, it always has been and stil is a (sorry to say, dont want to attack) gays car. Its just is. That M2 looks so much more aggressive and muscular – thats what u want and need in that kind of car! Performance wise AWD might be better for some 0-100, but for fun I’d take the RWD every day. Ok inside could be a bit more “fancy”, but at the end its a drivers car and not one to impress with any luxury stuff (which brings additional weight).
I see a clear loser here: Max
M2 is looking like, typicall bmw’s sport sedan. Boring as hell. TT RS is looking like top Porsche Cayman. Much better, than boooooooooooooooooooooring small sedan, like millions on street. For fun i’d take the RWD WITH central mounted engine which is DEFINITION of driver’s car, not front engine shit with long engine at front and very bad weight distribution for real rwd experience, and for every day I’ll choose ideal for this purpose a6 c7 quattro. :)
Lol Audi is the most boring brand in the world. And it’s actually more VW than anything else. But that aside. I can’t believe anyone could say that the M2 is boring. I mean seriously??? Did you even look at any Awdi??? I fall asleep when I do. The M2 – or almost any BMW for that matter – is aggressive from every angle. Interior is simple, driver focust, robust and packed with more than enough one could ask from a drivers car like the M2.
Exterior Design: Audi
Interior Design: Audi
Layout (L-FR vs T-F4): BMW
Engine (I5 vs I6): BMW
Size: Audi
Weight: None
Price: None
Choice: None
l5>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>l6
Fun, fun, fun, sound, fun, fun.
Don’t drive yet, but my dad owns MB s65 AMG and multiple supercars.
I also own multiple supercars. They’re the best.
Your name says it all.
I think he’s barely potty trained…
I’d take the TTRS every day. It looks better, and it has the cooler engine. There is also the advantage of the lower 2 series being more prevalent than the TT range. So yep.. TTRS for me.
watching a bunch of bros belt it out to see which $60k midrange rig is the shittiest is heeelareeeeous. it’s like arguing whether McDonald’s or Wendy’s has a better 99cent cheeseburger. both cars are fun to drive for totally different reasons. period. no one will be heart broken if either of them get totalled so go beat the hell out of both of them – and have a good time doing it. after the week we’ve had lets get real about 50% of the world EVER convincing the other 50% that they’re wrong/right.