BMW M2 vs Porsche Macan Turbo: odd couple fight it out on track

BMW's M2 is one of our current performance car heroes so why put it up against the Porsche Macan Turbo, a two-tonne SUV? You might be surprised by the results...
BMW M2 review: aex.ae/2asSHev
Porsche Macan in-depth review: aex.ae/2asTjkt

[@nikb6528]

Porsche are always rewriting the laws of physics ... Unbelievable.

[@renardnelson5456]

Agreed

[@hectorkayden2424]

Instablaster

[@VorpalBunnysRevenge]

I told my brother I was buying an SUV his response was "have you lost your mind?!" Then I let him drive my Macan Turbo and his response was OMG This Thing Is Easy Speed!

[@boy638]

Porsche is already so good at making sports cars that they can make a ship handle as well too

[@toyouall]

The Cayenne is a boat, close enough I guess

[@polarpanda2]

I have a macan s, and drove the cayenne base model before, honestly it handled way better than i expected, no where close to been a boat, i almost regretted not buying one because i thought it would handle really bad haha

[@emsg2009]

lol - a ship

[@drdj69]

fuckoff

[@toyouall]

r

[@muzithandonxumalo9790]

I'd marry the Macan and take the M2 as my mistress

[@ScottZ370]

I actually love this type of 'different but the same' comparisons (because they are both performance cars), I would love to see something like the Focus RS vs a E92 M3 or even maybe S8 vs R8 V10 (non plus) to see how close they are?

[@daltonvillnave8601]

RS would be faster. matchs the m2

[@TheBigboySid]

yeah me too i would enjoy watching comparisons between big fast heavy sedans against probably lighter smaller sports car

[@ScottZ370]

Sid Acidic You seen the one on car wow? SQ7 vs Civic Type R vs S/C MX-5

[@TheBigboySid]

S Miller yup saw that one but i would appreciate if they could combine track test as well .

[@ScottZ370]

Sid Acidic I think it would probably have been Honda, Audi, MX-5 but yeah that would have been good.

[@lepooj12]

I drive a macan S, the handling destroys my previous 335i coupe lol

[@bak2mb]

had a 535 and love my S more...with the V8 550 thou its a different story..this V8 is a beast!!

[@Rndmrth3]

I also have a macan S and made me think twice about my n54 e90 335i. So I am not alone. These things are true monsters

[@sichenghao3747]

Thanks

[@Alex992.8]

​@@Rndmrth3 ist dein 335i gechippt? Hab nen n54 FBO mit MHD stafe 2 also cirka 430PS.. der macan turbo performance gefällt mir.. bin am überlegen mal einen probe zu fahren..

[@lassebauer]

This must be hard for the BMW engineers to watch: "Was im Schnitzel?? Ze hüge truck iz as fazt as our M-sportzkaah??" And apparently Porsche had to build a truck to make it as slow as a BMW M :D

[@slopetechno]

I love that you did this test as I'm someone who would actually consider both of these, and it's amazing to see how vehicles compare across segments. What tires were they on? Based on my research, the M2 should have been on Pilot Super Sports, and the Macan would have come with Contintentals, probably Extremecontact DWS (all seasons) - the Macan might have caught the M2 on equivalent tires!

[@johngoodridge7815]

An M2 DCT would have pulled a bit more out and been a fairer comparison, but point taken. Bee Em for me regardless.

[@Powaup]

M2 vs 718 plz

[@mexistratman1]

You can tell instantly whether a BMW won or lost in these videos based on the dislikes..

[@Dgannt]

Since BMW and specially M-cars are the ultimate driving machines, any loss has to be either to a super sports car or it's not a fair test. These are facts and all we car loving people know them. Hence why you see so many dislikes in those unfair cases. This one was barley fair. M2 should have won by at least 2-3 seconds. Or if it had been a normal track, i e a bit longer, that would have been the case.

[@Supcharged]

it would be more fair if the m2 was a fucking truck !

[@leoedward7363]

Another really enjoyable video Steve. I love your watch, what is it?

[@pragmatismusa5878]

Awesome comparison. It's really fun to see two such different cars compete.

[@maxhi88]

Great review! Bringing these two cars head to head is a great comparison! What I would suggest next is a comparison between a Bentley Continental GT V8S against a GLA45 AMG.

[@turquoisecat761]

AE, it would be good if you could put up a leader board at the end of the Llandow videos to show how all the cars tested compare (or at least the top 15).

[@stoneeh]

Heard Steve's voice. Immediately liked.

[@hondatrix]

You should bring up a list of time done previously...

[@piero914]

Porsche is the greatest.

[@henzo7087]

BMW is

[@truthandjustice6838]

BMW is rubbish! There is a reason you don't find them on investment car floors. They simply don't last 50K miles and therefore the absolute rubbish resale values. BMWs cannot compare with Mercs and Porsches, not even close in terms of quality and you will hear the rattles after a short period of ownership. By far the most overrated car from Germany. And let us not speak of the nasty experience of a BMW dealership.

[@bertraminc9412]

Grant Swanepoel I can vouch for the nasty experiences at BMW dealerships... windshield replaced and the sealant oozed out all over my a pylons. Dealer said to come back later and they would, "razor blade the extra sealant off"... yeah, they actually tried this... it looked like black fake Christmas tree with razor blade cuts all over the new glass; I have NEVER had a tire replacement done at ANY BMW dealership without either scratches to my wheels or gouges in the lug nut channels; almost every time I take it in, there are black oil/dirt/grease/Hyde fluid marks on my door handles, shifter, steering wheel and seats (I'm not joking, these places are really this bad); an attempt to "clean out" my sunroof at the price of over 600.00 because of a sun roof that wouldn't close all the way, when all it needed was the tracks greased and a ten second button hold reset; and many many more problems... too many to mention here. I will NEVER EVER buy a new BMW again in the USA. I still haven't bought a Porsche. I pray that maintenance at Porsche isn't a comparison.

[@sbfhawk4343]

@@henzo7087 garbage garbage garbage only the Top here Porsche , Toyota Lexus and Acura , infinity here the rest can suck down a tube BMW are never on the collectors sites there euro trash for the masses

[@inorbit64]

But what is the difference when you start to do more laps? Will the Macan start to understeer more when the tires get hot?

[@Kelveron]

Interesting comparison. I wonder what lap time the M2 would've done if, like the Macan, it was equipped with an auto.

[@SloanZurnToto]

Steve, just curious what do you prefer the M2 or the Cayman GTS? I test drive the GTS and was in automotive heaven.

[@Masteraal]

M2 is a standard coupe with a monster engine so that it is fast. (Same story with MB and Audi) Cayman GTS is a very fast coupe.

[@unknownunknowns]

So the M2 and the Macan have the same lap time but the M2 costs $52K and you have to pay $24K more to get that bigger heavier vehicle.

[@AboutFocusTV]

Would love to see Steve S redo the test with the 2020 Gen 2 Macan Turbo

[@orencello]

Why didn´t they test the M2 with the double-clutch setup? Would´ve been a more representative comparison.

[@smulepule3621]

Could you please do this again with the rs3 and the macan GTS 🙏😁

[@jonasbaine3538]

Having both would be a great balance.

[@tim2468]

A half a second difference could easily be attributed to the driver. Cool comparison. I have a Macan Turbo and can tell you it easily hangs with 911s and Caymans on the backroads of Maine ; - )

[@numbereightyseven]

Hmm, how long does it take a Golf R to do that circuit? I'm tossing up between a Macan and a Golf R. Yeah, I know, very different money, but it's not about the money.

[@nbtbrv859]

How about a comparison between the M2 and the recently departed 981 Cayman GTS.

[@hrwedsash]

Which one is better to drive around the city

[@emopunkdave]

M2 would have been quicker still with the DCT... may only have made a few tenths difference over such a short lap but considering it was only half a second or so faster it would have pushed it close to a second and would have been a fairer comparison seeing as the Macan had the PDK. agree though, the Macan is a freakishly quick SUV.

[@realtalk7571]

But the Porsche weighs 2 tons 😂😂😂😂

[@mattiase87]

So Sutcliffe is 6 tenths faster in the 6mt M2 than his colleague was in the dct M2 around that short track...haha

[@stevesutcliffe1274]

Not so sure about the dct M2 being the quicker version here Mattias. The manual is a touch lighter, had a really nice fresh set of Pilot Supersport tyres fitted on the day, and the track temp was nice and warm. Which wasn't the case when the dct was timed. James is no slower than me in a car, promise.

[@mattiase87]

+steve sutcliffe Good for me then since I've ordered a manual M2. I always like your reviews. Thanks for your input :)

[@dodgehemi5045]

what options ? black blue stitch Pleather and 4 paint colors. Competition version coming ?

[@shayorrahman8733]

Intro music got me pretty hyped, Macan is amazing and my new favorite suv

[@ashs1670]

Curious to see either X5M or X6M on AutoExpress

[@nikitaind62]

Can we have in the future an actual view of the race track, when you drive the cars, i think it will be nicer to see how the cars deal with the track

[@harry-eto]

would have been interesting to see an overlay of the two graphs of the cars. without that, it's no serious comparison.

[@GOINFINITI]

Fantastic comparison - it is more "real world", since how many times you go head to head with a car from same class? So yes please - more bonkers comparos like this please :)

[@unknownunknowns]

The drag coefficient for the M2 is 0.35 versus the Macan Turbo, 0.37. That's why a bigger vehicle is neck and neck with a smaller one.

[@angelnavarro4221]

try a lap starting from 0, I'm sure the time would be much different and the m2 would have nothing to do

[@royaltylw5347]

How about in a straight line?

[@TheGutiserra]

What track is this?

[@lonersanonymous]

That's just insane. Just confirms what I already thought - Porsche have the best engineering in the car world.

[@Turshin]

not really a Porsche fan but that is an astonishing achievement for the little crossover.

[@dubai0097150]

oh ///M engineers must be so upset now lol !! ok lets just imagine what would Cayman GTS would do to that ?

[@GethinJames]

LOL. Which would you rather drive around a track though?

[@timothymountain7868]

Is the macan more comfortable than the m2. On uk bumpy roads.

[@Leefryyinc]

I have one and mate has the m2 and mines way more comfortable with 3 suspension settings.

[@ruhbanahmed3425]

I honestly thought it was the M2 vs the Sportage at first glance

[@brewkozord1786]

In the battle with focus RS M2 has 46,7 sec... I think you should get proper racing driver for that kind of tests.

[@musmanov4642]

Its like someone is tickling you from behind when you driving around track

[@user-xr5vr2uq6v]

Seems to me like Steve didn't floor the M2 coming out of the turn, just before the timed lap starts. At 1:26, you can see and hear him taking it easy through the turn, comes onto the start/finish straight, keeps talking for a bit with one hand on the wheel, and after saying "so, who knows", downshift and floors the car, then lets up on the gas at 1:35, costing or mildly braking through the start/finish line, miles before the next turn. That's not a fast way to start a lap, is it? To get a fast and more importantly, consistent lap-time, he should've downshifted before that turn, take as much speed into and out of the turn as he could, accelerated all the way through the start/finish line, and braking at the last possible moment before turn 1. This is exactly what he did in the Macan lap.

[@user-xr5vr2uq6v]

Basically what I'm saying is that either the editing is poor and don't reflect what actually happened, or Steve put significantly less effort into the M2's laptime, skewing the results in favor of the Macan. I'm leaning towards the latter.

[@davidly8059]

Yep I’ve driven the Macan before it’s so nice 👌🏼

[@vikramm1726]

it has scared the shit out of M2

[@GAGKEvo]

i'd take a macan turbo over an m2..

[@Riiiisc]

Yes you should.

[@GraveUypo]

i would too. fuck small shitty cars that can't even touch dirt.

[@aidenp5768]

nice but not better sorry

[@Sandouras]

+GraveUypo BECAUSE YOU'LL BE TOUCHING A LOT OF DIRT WITH YOUR SUPER EXPENSIVE PORSCHE WHOSE 4X4 SYSTEM IS ONLY USED FOR CORNERING AND NOT CLIMBING SHIT?

[@GraveUypo]

Sandouras i would. i have to. so yeah, shut up.

[@BronchoGillespie]

New shirt Steve?

[@funitoo]

Why does the commentator sound like he is commenting on some wild-life program?

[@gmartirosyan]

Does anyone recognise the Intro song?

[@onercetinkaya5768]

Did you find out the song yet?

[@gmartirosyan]

not yet... Shazam wont recognise it. I'll post it as soon as I find it.

[@onercetinkaya5768]

Any news regarding the song name?

[@gmartirosyan]

unfortunately no...

[@Arthurzeiro]

The M2 is a manual right? Then it's a winner already.

[@AudiRS5B9]

Manuals are for poor morons who can't afford an automatic. End of the story !

[@wilkgr]

You both are wrong. :P oXiGeN_eXtreMe Right, that explains why why 3% of cars sold in Europe are automatic, right?

[@AudiRS5B9]

Go to America 100% Automatics. Because they are smart not fools like europeans

[@wilkgr]

Why the fuck would I want to go to America? It's not like you have decent cars. Also, why did you feel it was necessary to insult 743 million people?

[@aryanrishi]

Ever driven a manual gear car before? And you are from America, I am assuming? I hope you know that your Mustang GT350R and Ford Focus RS only come with the manual option. And they are for poor people, right? Last time I checked the Ferrari F40, the Porsche 911R and the Mclaren F1 weren't selling for only 40 bucks...

[@Dgannt]

Why on such a short track? Many of these times could change drastically on a normal size track or even road courses. This kind of short track always favors some specific cars and not so much other type of cars. The same cars could perform the opposite on a normal size track. But as always the BMW won.

[@gw7624]

I'm genuinely surprised not to see the sarcastic "next up, a GT-R races a milk float" comments that usually accompany these type of comparisons.

[@JoTokutora]

Drive the DCT M2, faster shifting, it should be faster time, ofcourse as long you are capable of taking advantage with skill

[@JoJoJoker]

Why the hell would you compare the much slower manual M2 with the PDK Macan? Get a damn DCT & DSG for these comparisons. They're faster. "Involvement" is irrelevant.

[@billwhite3651]

He was using the manual version of the PDK, which Porsche will tell you is the slower way to use the system.

[@adamandersson9663]

Why brake at 44sec with the BMW and at 47sec with the Porsche?

[@tedtheturbot]

Yes nice to see them both and as always to see Sutcliffe horsing them round a track, but they are so completely different who cares who's the faster?

[@topgear279]

why?

[@philtrapp]

Why not?

[@rabidsminions2079]

Lets have a real test Camry v6 vs Kluger FWD lets see the real difference between sedans and SUV'S around a track with cars that most people buy not these.

[@CarswithB]

M power! Imagine the the M2 with DCT I will be much faster man...

[@lloyd.8272]

Around half a second on a short lap ain’t that close over ten laps that would be a considerable difference.

[@carmad93]

Would be interesting to see M2 vs E46 M3 round the track

[@ChrisDorgan]

I think the M2 would beat it quite comfortably for some reason. Especially if they're both DCT. Both manual, not sure. Either way gap will be minimal

[@fahedsayed2201]

He lifted off the throttle BEFORE the finish line in the M2 but had the throttle pinned in the Porsche ... not a fair test.

[@rousseau327]

you're kidding right? get your head out of your ass

[@fahedsayed2201]

+ewt415 watch the video carefully but first drink a cup of coffee.Just some friendly advice

[@rousseau327]

Fahed Sayed You really think they drive one lap, record that one video, and then post it on the internet? They take multiple of lap times and take the best. and the finish line is right after a corner, if I'm not mistaken. The AWD in the Macan allows it to be driven near full throttle. You won't get that kind of grip and speed in a RWD car at full throttle. A RWD car needs to be driven delicately.

[@fahedsayed2201]

ewt415 watch the video again and listen to the throttle ... 3 seconds before the clock stops you should see and hear the difference unless you are blind and stupid

[@rousseau327]

Fahed Sayed Let me tell you what I see: In both the end of the clips of the Macan and the M2, the car slows down, downshifts, and Steve Sutcliffe turns left, meaning the finish line is right before a corner. The Macan was full throttle *until the clock stopped* but had an *roughly equal amount of time slowing down*, downshifting, and turning into the corner after the finish line as the M2. The M2 was also full throttle until the he started slowing down and down shifting for the corner. Unless the Macan slows down MASSIVELY quicker than the M2 (it doesn't), then the only explanation for this is that whoever edited the video did not calibrate the stopwatch with the actual visual on the screen. It's NOT because they purposely let go of the throttle before the finish line, because if they did that, the M2 would have been running on partial throttle far longer than the Macan. I hope that makes sense and was simple enough to understand lol.

[@madrx2]

I thought I beat a macan turbo the other day in my tuned diesel pickup, I guess he wasn't trying after seeing this video :)

[@robbyjai]

i wonder how the more track focussed GTS would have handled this ???? and how close it would have been to the M2

[@JoJoJoker]

GTS is a Macan S with some cosmetic options standard.

[@robbyjai]

you clearly know nothing about porsches do you ??????? do some research before you make a comment you look less stupid.

[@JoJoJoker]

+robbyjai it's a Macan S with a bit more power and some options thrown in. GTS cars are between S & Turbo in cost and performance. Base GTS maybe be better in track than a base Turbo but the GTS options are available on the Turbo .

[@JoJoJoker]

+robbyjai www.porsche.com/all/comparemodels/CompareNew.aspx?model1=95BAS1&model2=95BAF1&model3=&pool=usa&language=none&selTab=&modelrange=&cartype=&drivetrain=&msrp=&hp=&consumption= There you go wise ass.

[@ruzzelladrian907]

Can someone tell me specifically what kind UK accent he has ?

[@Rick2010100]

For me it sounds like South-East England.

[@alexandermayer7383]

Orange break musical mode hate violent

[@rickdaniels1000]

M2 competition with DCT will destroy this

[@ve_viaja]

when they compare the M2 vs the Focus RS the M2 makes just that ! 46.7

[@odl21]

if you try it with a lighter driver, the relative difference in weight would the larger.

[@edwinremudaro7953]

Odd comparison but its fun to see the result otherwise :)

[@nicholassmith7048]

Sutcliffe needs to practice his maths. Especially subtractions.

[@AleXXRockBluesBand]

Cayman GT4 vs M2 comparison would be nice. I bet, that even the Cayman GTS would beat the M2.

[@AWood28]

Fav presenter!, matt Farrah and chris harris a close second. That elbow looks painful.

[@AkaAndyKnuckles]

Good job, Sutcliffe.

[@oberfeldwebelheinkel5602]

On such a short track differences are always minimal.. Despite HP and weight differences.

[@ScottZ370]

Next time do a Hyundai i10 vs 918, short track so yeah they should be within a second of each other

[@oberfeldwebelheinkel5602]

Next time grow a brain before making comments like that. We're talking fast cars, not two complete opposites.

[@JavierCR25]

Why always manual M2?

[@TucsonDude]

That's what true enthusiasts want.

[@thedarkgreenvanman]

You should've compared it to a Golf R

[@eleonik76]

Where is the SuperDry T shirt Cliff? Wore out or in the laundry?

[@alexandrefernandes9233]

WOW! The Macan surprise me. At the beginning I would say the BMW would be at least 1 second fastest...

[@aidenp5768]

if the m2 csl is unvieled no. where the macan could beet it

[@yungdro5702]

I'd take the M2 anyday just because of its beastly looks and it can be in manual. i would never even think to buy a macan looks too ugly in my opinion. would take a BMW X4 M40i or even a Mercedes GLC43 AMG over the Macan

[@aidenp5768]

i agree

[@rousseau327]

you're kidding right? The macan looks uglier than that sin of a design the X4 has?

[@robbyjai]

Macan looks ugly compared to an X4 ??? or GLC????? you're fucking kidding??????? The X4 and the GLC is butt fuck ugly and has been widely referred to in the press as not a very good looking car. You're fucking blind.

[@eggbirdtherooster]

I dont like SUVs.. And BMW maken the most tasteless and Ugly ones.. Porsche did a proper job with this Macan.. The x4 is a joke compared to this beast

[@navagiopoint]

this person seriously has taste issues thinking x4 better looking

[@randydouglas434]

"dainty" lost my vote with that one.

[@rousseau327]

As interesting as this was, I think we all would've rather seen a BMW M2 vs. Porsche Cayman GTS track battle

[@jamiecoburn1231]

I think the 440hp Performance Edition would smoke the M2 Porsche....There is no substitute!

[@adamcoleman6203]

Okay the test is fine but? 1, how come u are using a manual transmission m2 oh because it's slower then the dct 2, how come to make the times closer you tend to make the race on a short track a good example off this is when you raced the m3 against the rs3 and type r the lap times where even shorted around 35sec lets keep it fair get a descent size track and time them all fairly Cuz your given out false information picking tracks so lap times are closer 😂

[@eMke3]

How about m2 should be tested DCT just like Porsche was auto. This guy makes pretty decent show but he's not a great driver, that's why he managed to make good time in Porsche. With that said Macan is no slouch by any means. Never was a fan of Fast/Slow suvs. Had a chance to drive m2 in Thermal, CA it is such a fun car handles great. M2 over Macan any day. But any other 911 over BMW.

[@wesleythompson5085]

Don't like SUVs but that is really impressive

[@LeJohnz]

why would you pit a manual M2 against a Macan with a double clutch?

[@rousseau327]

Why would you pit a low-slung, light, sportscar, against a tall, heavy, crossover? All yall acting like they pitting the M2 against a PDK Cayman GTS or something.

[@LeJohnz]

+ewt415 I would pick the M2 over it any day, but when you're at a crossroads in life of having only one car in your garage, one might think long and hard about a car that can do it all. And I mean comfortably seat 4, lug a lot of cargo around and go stupid fast. It might make a soon to be father think long and hard between an M2 and the Macan.

[@sharmaman1]

For an SUV, I think the Macan looks the business

[@yurimarrocos8237]

no one is going to say something about the M2 tested being the SLOWEST M2 available, with MANUAL gearbox, wich is MUCH SLOWER than the Macan with the PDK gearbox? Besides the entry speed of the lap and the overall ignorance to the facts.

[@9Krevolutions]

Keep in mind that M2 comes with much stickier Michelin PSS tires. So I think M2 actually failed this test.

[@TucsonDude]

But the AWD probably equals it out.

[@mikehitchcock9389]

It means nothing.... because it's a PDK vs a manual... not a PDK vs a DCT

[@ivorproblem1332]

The Macan looks like a VW Golf Plus from behind.

[@rictr7421]

Are both equally priced? Otherwise it makes no sense.

[@PHFilms3]

When new the Macan turbo was almost 3 times the price in Canada…. Now I’m used market as expected M car holds value better