The new-generation BMW 2-Series coupe has become a traditional BMW with old-school proportions and rear-wheel drive. And just as expected, it will continue to have an M version, which our shooters have snapped again – at the famous German Nürburgring rase track. The new M2 appears to follow the classic M formula, too, simply pumping up the shape of the base car. Compared to earlier spy shots, the prototype lets us in on a lot more details, especially at the front.
The most obvious sign that this is the M2 actually comes at the back of the car. Replacing the neatly integrated exhaust tips of the regular car are four gaping tailpipes poking out a pair of rectangular cutouts. It looks very much like the exhaust of the M3 and M4. Besides the big exhaust, there seems to be a slightly more pronounced lip spoiler on the trunk lid.
As for the rest of the car, the only other clearly visible changes are around the wheels. The fenders have been flared even further for an aggressive look and to make it easy to fit wide wheels and tires. This example is wearing what looks like production-ready wheels with a mesh or basket-weave inspired design. Behind them are drilled brake rotors and callipers painted in M blue.
We’re expecting the 2-Series to be revealed in time for the 2022 model year. The M version could be revealed a few months after the regular versions. We’re also expecting it to make at least 405 horsepower, the amount made by the current M2 Competition. As the outgoing model used a detuned version of the previous M3 and M4 engine, it would seem logical that the new M2 engine will be a detuned version of the new M3/M4 turbo straight-six. It could also get the six-speed manual transmission from those cars, in addition to the inevitable dual-clutch automatic.
After BMW released the mid-life facelift of the M5 in June 2020, it started developing the next-generation M5 super-saloon yet a while ago, and here is again a batch of spy shots of the most powerful 5-Series. It wears the hybrid test vehicle sticker which confirms the announcement of, Markus Flasch, CEO of BMW M, who stated in 2021 that the next-gen BMW M5 will be available as a hybrid electric car.
According to a report which the British magazine CAR published, the future BMW M5 will arrive in 2024, a year after the next-gen 5 Series (BMW G60). The plug-in hybrid EV could get a V8 petrol engine and two electric motors that produce 750 hp and 1,000 Nm of torque. The same powertrain will serve the upcoming BMW XM – or X8 if you prefer.
Releasing a fully electric BMW i5M model may not be possible at this point because it would need a significantly more advanced battery technology, one that BMW would get access to in 2025 with the Die Neue Klasse cluster architecture. Batteries would have to get lighter for BMW to offer similar dynamic performance. Until then, BMW M will work on PHEVs and fettling variants of existing EVs like the iX M60.
The next-gen M5 could pack BMW Group’s latest tech features like BMW Curved Display (seamlessly integrated fully digital instrument cluster and central display), BMW iDrive 8.0, BMW Digital Key Plus with Ultra-Wideband technology (Digital Key 3.0), etc. At least Level 2 autonomous driving with hands-free highway driving and hands-free parking functions could also be available in the all-new vehicle.
No comment yet, add your voice below!