A leaked image of what appears to be the second-generation BMW M2 coupe has been shared online ahead of its expected debut later this year.
Instagram user _Wilcoblo_c shared what appears to be the rear angle of the inbound M2 featuring a muscular design that would be expected of a full-fat M product.
The launch of the M2 is highly anticipated by fans after the previous generation was commended for its well-rounded driving ability, with its popularly even eclipsing rivals such as the Toyota Supra.
The teaser image shows a more aggressive design than the BMW 240i
The image appears to be taken in a storage facility, with the camera seemingly pushed through a hole in a curtain surrounding the car.
The most telling sign that this is a genuine M2 is the appearance of a short ‘M’ badge on the bootlid, along with the distinct diffuser and pumped wheelarches which are far more aggressive than those on the M240i.
Those muscular arches span what are likely to be significantly wider tracks between the front and rear wheels, designed to handle higher cornering speeds and fatter tyres.
Look closely and you can spot what appears to be an M2 badge on the bootlid
Details for the inbound M2 are understandably under wraps for now, but rumours point to the use of the BMW M3’s ‘S58’ 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol straight-six engine that currently makes up to 375kW of power and 650Nm of torque in the sedan.
As the unofficial representative of BMW’s most ‘pure’ driving experience, the M2 is expected to retain a six-speed manual transmission option along with an eight-speed torque-converter automatic.
It remains unclear if BMW M will choose to offer the M2 exclusively in rear-wheel drive like its predecessor, or adopt all-wheel drive – or offer both options, as it does with the M3 sedan and M4 coupe.
The outgoing M2 is going to be hard to follow up
The second-generation M2 is expected to adopt BMW’s latest interior dashboard design which made its debut on the i4 electric sedan and has since been rolled out on the BMW iX and 3 Series LCI sedan/wagon.
Current 2 Series coupe models, such as the M240i, feature a 10.25-inch central touchscreen in the centre of the dash, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster slotted alongside. The new design joins the two screens together in a more uniform and contemporary design.