After testing the BMW M2 and M4, we were surprised that the M2 posted effectively identical test numbers to the M4's despite a 60-hp deficit and tires 10mm narrower at each corner. The M4 pulls a significant lead in acceleration at higher speeds, where its rear tires aren't overwhelmed by the thrust of its more powerful engine. Combining that with its longer wheelbase, we estimated the M4 would be much faster than the M2 around a racetrack.

We were wrong. The M2 proved to be the faster car. This is the difference that intangibles make. This M4, although far better than previous M4s we've driven, was a handful to control at its limit. With very little understeer and laggy turbos that hit with a brutal punch, it snap-oversteers on the way out of corners. The M2 understeers more but puts power down far more easily. Importantly, its engine and rear end respond linearly to the requests for power, making it far easier to control, even for a seasoned veteran like Randy Pobst. In his supremely talented hands, the M2 was 0.21 second quicker around Streets. In yours or mine, that difference would be far greater.