BMW M2 vs Toyota GR Supra: Which Sportscar Reigns Supreme and Is the Price Worth It
As the automotive world buzzes with mixed opinions about the newly-announced 2025 BMW M5 G90, other BMW models are quietly making their mark. One such instance is the exhilarating 1/4-mile drag race between the 2023 BMW M2 Coupe and the 2024 Toyota GR Supra. Let's dive into this thrilling duel and see if the $63,200 M2 justifies its price tag compared to the $65,275 GR Supra.
The Competitors:
In the German corner, the M2 shines in Zandvoort Blue Non-Metallic, equipped with a 3.0-liter BMW M TwinPower Turbo straight-six engine that boasts 453 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. This beast is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission, delivering power to the rear wheels and achieving 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds. Priced at $63,200, it also comes with M Compound brakes for top-notch stopping power.
For comparison, BMW offers similar performance in its $51,700 M240i xDrive Coupe, which generates 382 horsepower and hits 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. Likewise, the $49,700 M240i Coupe matches the xDrive's power but takes 4.5 seconds to reach 60 mph.
On the opposite side, we have the 2024 Toyota GR Supra 45th Anniversary Edition, a tribute to BMW's engineering prowess in disguise. Available in four trims, the base model at $46,440 features a 2.0-liter inline-four turbo engine, producing 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in 5 seconds. The $55,400 version offers a 3.0-liter engine with 382 hp and 368 lb-ft of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds. The top-tier 45th Anniversary Edition, with a manual transmission priced at $65,275, shares the same engine specs but hits 60 mph in 4.2 seconds.
The Race Details:
The setting for this rivalry was an Edmunds Cars U-drag race with a twist: after sprinting the 1/4-mile, drivers executed a 180-degree turn and raced back to the starting line, swapping drivers halfway for fairness.
Initially, the M2 and GR Supra were evenly matched, but BMW's additional 71 horsepower soon began to make a difference. The M2 surged ahead, leaving the GR Supra struggling to keep up. As expected, despite a strong start, the Supra ultimately couldn't overcome its power deficit.
The outcome: the 2023 BMW M2 achieved a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.3 seconds, while the 2024 Toyota GR Supra clocked in at 4.5 seconds. In the 1/4-mile, the M2 crossed the line in 12.4 seconds at 116.2 mph, whereas the GR Supra took 12.7 seconds at 110.5 mph. Overall, the BMW finished the U-drag race in 35.8 seconds at 127.3 mph, slightly outperforming the Supra's 35.1 seconds at 132.1 mph.
Is the Price Difference Justified?
The BMW M2 emerged victorious with a 0.2-second edge in the 0 to 60 mph category, a 0.3-second advantage in the 1/4-mile, and a 0.7-second lead in the overall race. However, the question remains: does this performance justify the $63,200 price tag compared to the special $65,275 GR Supra 45th Anniversary Edition? Considering that the standard $55,400 3.0 version of the Supra shares the same power output, it raises a compelling case for value.
While the M2's superior performance is evident, the Supra's $7,800 lower price in the 3.0 trim makes it a worthy contender. The ultimate decision boils down to whether these time differences warrant the additional investment for the BMW.
Looking ahead, the upcoming $66,075 2025 BMW M2 promises even more power with 473 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, potentially widening the performance gap further. And as we anticipate how the 2025 BMW M5 will fare against its competitors with its 4.4-liter V8 twin-turbo engine and electric motor generating 717 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque, it's clear that BMW's dominance in the performance car segment is far from over.
In conclusion, while the BMW M2 edges out the Toyota GR Supra in this thrilling drag race, the decision between these two exceptional machines ultimately hinges on individual priorities: performance, price, or a balance of both.