My friends, we are at a crossroads.We are at a point in our automotive history at which we can stand up and fight for… [Read More]The post First Drive: 2016 BMW M2. Anything But Autonomous. appeared first on Pursuitist.

My friends, we are at a crossroads.We are at a point in our automotive history at which we can stand up and fight for our freedom to carve up the open road or let those who think they know better take it from us. We can choose a path where we, the drivers, are autonomous and in control, or we can cede all decisions to the technologists who would like nothing better than to take the wheel from our hands and the pedals from our feet.There are two futures in front of us and it is time to choose.If you prefer to go through life passively, letting others make your decisions for you, fine. Then hermetically seal yourself inside your Google-guided, electrically-powered, silent bean pod and let it take you where it will. I?m having none of it.I want a leather wrapped steering wheel in my left hand, a short-throw six-speed in my right, and three pedals at my feet. I want to hear the rumble of a throaty internal combustion engine in my ear. I want to feel the tires dig in as the weight transfers to the outer wheels when I nick the apex of a corner. I?m happy dancing on the edge of adhesion and feeling my heart beat a little faster knowing I pushed the envelope just a little further that time. No pods for me. I want to drive.That?s why I’d be very happy with...