THE ACID TEST
WE LIKE THE M2 CS. WE LOVE IT, IN FACT. YOU CAN probably tell that if you’ve just read the previous story. But there’s no getting away from the fact that ‘our’ £81,115-astested black and gold example is essentially a hotted-up 2-series sparring in some fiercely contested and grownup waters. This is the story then, about a battle between a rather upright, feisty compact 2+2 coupe and Porsche Motorsport’s junior warrior, a car that patrols said waters like a shark with territorial issues.
They were born less than 150 miles apart in neighbouring German states, and both are powered by six-cylinder internal combustion engines of real substance. A common bond of scorched Michelins Cup 2s, long, hot, bug-splattered days at the Nordschleife and irresistible double-take visuals links them amongst dreary, increasingly autonomous cars, and yet they couldn’t be more different if they tried. Right now, the frisson of antagonistic tension between the bulging metalwork, bespoilered and bewinged rumps and agitated big-volume idles of them both is palpable. Thanks to the pandemic this is the first big test we’ve conducted in a few months, but I also think it might be one of the most interesting for quite some time.
Hailing confidently from Weissach is our reigning Car of the Year, the 718 Cayman GT4. Entering the arena to a champion’s fanfare of trumpets, it exudes inner confidence born from both its own successes and its illustrious lineage, and takes the moral high ground in enthusiast circles from fielding an all-new naturally aspirated engine. I won’t be coy. I love it. After the lofty perched driving position of the M2 it’s as though the cheeks of your posterior are almost scraping along the road’s surface in the GT4, the fires up the 414bhp flat-six, and just for the briefest moment the world’s issues obscure in a warming haze of burnt hydrocarbons. I have spent a lot of time in the M2 CS over the past 48 hours. In fact, I’d go as far as to say I haven’t wanted to stop driving it, but the GT4 can turn your head in mere moments…
