From a beach near Antibes in the Cote d’Azur comes an intriguing photoshoot featuring the all-new BMW M2 and the E46 M3. While the M2 was often referenced in the same sentence as its spiritual predecessor – the E30 M3 – it’s the E46 M3 which is closer in character to the M2. Both cars are similar in size, shape, engine size, power, weight and look, and they both have a large following of BMW fans.
The BMW M2 uses a 3.0 liter turbocharged I6 engine, that develops 365 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, while the E46 used a 3.2 liter naturally-aspirated I6 engine, that made 333 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque.
Both cars actually weight about the same, 3,400 lbs give or take some options, which gives the M2 a better power-to-weight advantage. But both cars are at around the same level of power and performance for their respective times.
However, they aren’t exactly the same, and the BMW M2 does differentiate itself from the E46 M3 a bit. In terms of performance, the BMW M2 is far faster, thanks to its aforementioned power-to-weight advantage. 0-60 mph for the M2 comes in around 4.3 seconds with a manual transmission, while the same sprint takes the E46 M3 4.7 seconds to complete.
Over time, both cars are likely to be referenced as classics and they will both find a special place in the heart of BMW enthusiasts.
Let’s have a look at the photography by Julien Hubert Photographie.
