The launch of BMW’s final non-electrified M car is edging closer and closer.
The Bavarian brand’s M division posted a short teaser video on Instagram showing brief glimpses at some camouflaged prototypes with what are expected to be M Performance parts – ahead of the 2023 BMW M2‘s October reveal.
We’ve previously seen a similar camouflaged prototype with a prominent rear wing, angled exhaust pipes, and more prominent aerodynamic slashes throughout. They look very similar to what BMW already offers on the larger M3 and M4 models.
These M Performance parts aren’t expected to be standard equipment on the M2 as we’ve seen countless prototypes without these parts, as well as a leaked image of the rear.
BMW recently said the upcoming M2 “boasts a similar performance level to the BMW M2 CS”, and has the same 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine as the M3 and M4.
It also confirmed the new M2 will be available with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed M Steptronic torque-converter automatic transmission. Drive will also be sent to the rear wheels only at launch.
According to a member who posted an internal service document to the Bimmerpost forum, there will also be an xDrive all-wheel drive option available at some point in the future.
Previous spied prototype
The Bavarian carmaker has glazed over the specifics for now but it’s reported the standard M2 will have more power than the outgoing M2 Competition, which produces 302kW of power and 550Nm of torque.
The regular M2, last seen here in 2018, put out 272kW and 465Nm.
The new M2 Competition is rumoured to see its outputs increased to 335kW or even 365kW, with a six-speed manual also expected to continue.
This level of power in the new Competition puts the larger M3 and M4 in the M2’s crosshairs. They both put out 353kW and 550Nm in base, manual guise, with Competition models pumping out 375kW.
The BMW M2 will have an adaptive M chassis, as well as a “powerful brake system” taken directly from the M3 and M4.
Optional equipment confirmed by BMW, besides the flashy spied M Performance parts, includes a carbon roof and M carbon bucket seats.
Thanks to previous images of a pre-production M2, we already know the two-door coupe will come with the BMW Curved Display.
The screen set-up appeared to be similar to the one in the i4 and iX, which uses a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch central touchscreen in the same housing.
The twin screens in these models run the latest BMW iDrive OS 8.0 infotainment software, with satellite navigation as standard.
Although BMW confirmed it was adopting the Curved Display in Europe from July in the regular 2 Series coupe, it’s still only available locally with the separated 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.25-inch touchscreen running OS 7.0.
BMW is currently commemorating 50 years of its M division with a swarm of new high-performance models, including the new M2.
So far it has revealed the lightweight and more powerful BMW M4 CSL, M3 and M4 50 Jahre special editions, all-electric iX M60, as well as the M3 Touring.
BMW plans to reveal a production version of the Concept XM plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUV later this year, with producing beginning towards the end of 2022 at its Spartanburg, South Carolina plant.
It also plans to reveal an ultra-exclusive M4 CSL-based coupe inspired by the 2015 CSL Hommage concept, called the 3.0 CSL, dusting off the name of an E9-based homologation special from 1972.
MORE: Everything BMW M2
