BMW’s smallest, purest M car is being overhauled.

    The 2022 BMW M2 will retain its rear-wheel drive layout but reportedly move to a shorter version of the CLAR platform underpinning, among other BMWs, the 3 Series.

    It’ll also be accompanied by less powerful 2 Series-badged models, not to be confused with front/all-wheel drive models like the 2 Series Gran Coupe.

    We expect the 2 Series to be revealed later this year.

    It looks as though it’ll avoid the controversial, plunging double-kidney grille of the new M3 and M4.

    The M2 is expected to continue to offer a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine.

    It’s rumoured to see its output increased to 335kW, or 4kW more than the M2 CS that currently sits atop the range.

    That brings it closer to the larger M3 and M4, which produce 353kW of power from their twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six in base guise and 375kW in Competition models.

    In more good news for three-pedal enthusiasts, a manual will likely continue to be offered as it has in the redesigned M3 and M4.

    We’ve gotten a good look at the regular 2 Series interior, which closely resembles that of the 2 Series Gran Coupe.

    As for the exterior, a leak last year appeared to reveal the front- and rear-end styling of the 2 Series.

    The M2 will build on that with more aggressively flared guards and quad exhaust outlets.

    William Stopford

    William Stopford is an automotive journalist based in Brisbane, Australia. William is a Business/Journalism graduate from the Queensland University of Technology who loves to travel, briefly lived in the US, and has a particular interest in the American car industry.

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