Driving any car around the Losail International Circuit is a delight in itself. Add three letters, BMW, and that experience is enhanced greatly. Add one more alphabet – M and you experience a joyride that few can match.
The BMW M Adrenaline Days was an aptly titled drive two-day event at the Losail Circuit conducted by Alfardan Automobiles where thrill-seekers were able to experience a range of BMW vehicles with the revered M moniker – from the M2 Coupe to the M4, M3, M6 and even the X6M and X5M.
“At Alfardan Automobiles we always put the customer at the forefront of our business. It is the cornerstone of our success and we continually look to create exhilarating and interactive experiences, such as the BMW M drive event, where our customers can unleash the power of each of the M models we have on offer,” said Ihab Allam, general manager, Alfardan Automobiles, about the event.
“We are excited to be putting the BMW M2 Coupé on the track for the first time, making its regional debut here in Qatar. The vehicle has proved its mettle in the performance stakes and has garnered mass appeal since its reveal less than a year ago,” he added.
We were divided into two groups of three cars each and had an instructor lead the way. The first car that we got was the X6M. Not a great choice for the track, one would think but that would be a wrong thought. This beast is powered by a 4.4-litre V8 which produces an impressive 567hp. You can go from 0-100kmph in just 3.7 seconds. As you come around turn 16 and enter the back straight, you floor the accelerator and the experience is truly rewarding. Despite being an SUV, the X6M more than holds its own when tackling the corners. Sport Plus steering mode is what you need to explore the full potential on the track. We were instructed to keep the traction control switched on and this meant a lot of squealing tyres and smiling drivers.
After a couple of laps, we were asked to switch cars and this time it was behind the wheel of the M6 coupe. Switching from the SUV to a sedan immediately makes you feel more track-equipped. The M6 produces the same power as the X6M but this a car meant to tackle the corners better. Naturally, you feel more confident in this and you begin to push more. The traction control again plays the protective role in preventing you
from losing the tail completely.
The normal practice was that you exchanged drivers after one lap but in my case, the co-passenger didn’t want to drive. And the bloke in the X6M didn’t want another lap. But what that meant is that just three cars went out, the instructor out front and two M6s following his lines. With braking and turning points marked with cones, we went for an all-out lap. The squeals got louder and the smiles turned into proper gleeful laughter inside the helmet. All the 16 corners of the Losail Circuit were met with gusto and on the back straight the accelerator pedal never left the floor till the braking point
arrived.
As we were walking away from the track, we noticed the M2 Coupe and the M3 GTS in the garage. We didn’t get our hands on them. But maybe we can convince Alfardan Automobiles to conduct another track day.