It may be even more powerful than initially believed.
Although we haven’t yet seen the regular 2022 BMW 2 Series Coupe, much has been written about this flagship model. The 2023MY’s M2 will be available next year. It is widely believed to be the last remaining example of a pure M car, removing hybridization and keeping the manual gearbox.
A new report by BMWLOG suggests that the next M2 will not be available with xDrive. The larger M4 offers a choice between rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. However, the compact high performance coupe is expected to be a happy-go-lucky experience. This would be exactly the opposite of BMW’s new M240i, which will only be available with xDrive.
The new M2 won’t have any power going to its front wheels. However, it will not gain too much weight considering the 2 Series Coupe is growing in size. BMWBLOG claims the next M2 could be as powerful as 490 horsepower. This would put it between the 473-hp M4 or the 503-hp M4 competition. According to rumors, torque will be similar to the standard M4, at around 406 pound-feet (550 Newton meters).
According to the report, an xDrive setup may not be impossible as more powerful versions of the M2 might adopt an all-paw setup such as a CSL model. AWD will likely be bundled with more power to allow the M2 surpass the 500-hp mark. The M240i already teased with xDrive will offer 369 hp.
BMW is expected to begin production of the M2 in 2022, and stop it by 2029. The M2 performance coupe could be discontinued in certain markets, particularly Europe, because of the stricter emissions regulations. The M2 will finally feature individual colors. Production will be divided between the Leipzig (Germany), and San Luis Potosi Mexico factories.