BMW M2 Races Nissan Z NISMO, German Coupe Triumphs Over Japanese Challenger

The U-drag format is, therefore, a much superior way of assessing performance than a good ol' dash to the quarter mile on a prepped surface. In this episode of the U-drag series, Edmunds pitted the BMW M2 against the automatic-only Nissan Z NISMO. Although they both are rear-drive coupes, they couldn't be more different in other respects.

For starters, the Japanese model uses a twin-turbo V6 connected to a nine-speed automatic of Mercedes-Benz origin as opposed to a twin-turbo I6 hooked up to an eight-speed tranny from ZF. The six-cylinder motors in question are good for 420 horsepower and 384 pound-feet (520 Nm) versus 453 horsepower and 406 pound-feet (550 Nm). In theory, that is, because the M2 is known to develop more power and torque than BMW says it does.

The bad news? Well, the Bimmer is quite a bit heavier at 3,860 pounds compared to 3,670 pounds for the Nissan, figures that convert to 1,751 and 1,665 kilograms in the metric system. Looking at the glass half full, the M2 boasts a better weight-to-power ratio. It's also better value, with BMW charging $63,195 (including destination charge) rather than Nissan's $66,230 for the Z NISMO.

As tested, the difference shrinks to 1,345 freedom eagles. One has to wonder if a sporty Nissan is worth $1,345 more than the hugely capable M2, whose inline-six engine also sounds much better than the Nissan's vee-six lump. On the other hand, the S58 engine doesn't come with an oil dipstick.

Despite so-and-so race conditions, the M2 blitzed to 60 miles per hour in a staggering 3.6 seconds. The Z NISMO's best acceleration time over two U-drag races was 4.2 seconds. In the quarter, the gap had grown to seven-tenths of a second: 11.6 clicks at 122 mph (196 kph) for the Bavarian coupe versus 12.3 at 116 mph (187 kph) for the Japanese contender.

The 180-degree turn from which Edmunds decided to name this format U-drag saw the Z NISMO edge out the M2 with a peak cornering G-force of 1.25 compared to 1.21. Back over the start-finish line, the M2 clocked 34.3 seconds at 130.8 miles per hour (210.5 kilometers per hour), while the Z NISMO recorded 35.8 at 124.2 mph (199.8 kph).

While it may be a better package than the regular Z, the NISMO simply doesn't stand a chance against the most affordable M currently in production. Part of the reason is Nissan's decision to design this fellow on the bones of the 370Z, a platform that premiered more than two decades ago with the V35-generation Nissan Skyline and Infiniti G35.