Next BMW M2 Gets Set To Rip

New G87-Gen M2 will remain rwd, and pave the way for an M2 gran coupe and fiery full-fat M1 series

- Greg Kable

BMW IS DEVELOPING a new rear-wheel-drive M2 performance coupe, as part of a future compact M car line-up that will include an all wheel-drive M2 Gran Coupe and a 1 Series with around 300kW.

The second-generation M2 coupe, which takes the internal codename G87, is scheduled to go on sale in Europe in 2022, making 2023 likely for Australia. It will bring with it a detuned version of BMW M’s latest six-cylinder petrol engine, sourced from the new M3 and M4.

Despite the heavy camouflage of this newly spotted prototype, it looks as if the M2 will feature angular front-end styling influenced more by the Z4 and M8 than the controversially big-grilled M3 and M4. Flared arches, big wheels and a quad-exit exhaust will be the most obvious visual differentiators from the standard 2 Series, but upsized air intakes and aero-enhancing trim will complete the look.

The twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre petrol six, dubbed S58, replaces the similarly configured S55 used by the current M2 and promises the same high-revving characteristics, with a redline of 7200rpm.

Nothing is official at this early stage, but insiders hint that the S58 engine will be tuned to provide the new junior M car with at least 317kW in standard form – a 15kW increase over today’s M2 Competition – to top the 310kW of the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder in the Mercedes-AMG A45 S.