BMW is working on a redesign for its 2-Series coupe—the
current one dates back to 2014—and the plan is to stick with rear-wheel drive.
This means that our favorite 2-Series variant, the M2, won't lose its hardcore
edge.
Autocar reported
on Monday that the next 2-Series coupe will ride on the platform underpinning
the Z4 and Supra twins—a design related to the CLAR platform underpinning BMW's
whole lineup from the 3-Series up.
The British outlet also reported that the car's M2 variant
will feature a detuned version of the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-6
found in the X3
M and X4 M and destined for the next
M3 and M4.
Insiders said to expect about 420 horsepower in the new M2, which is up
considerably on the 365 hp of the current M2. It even outclasses the 405 hp of
the current M2 Competition.
Look for the redesigned 2-Series coupe to debut in 2021 as a
2022 model (it isn't clear at this point of a repeat of the 2-Series
Convertible will happen). The M2 variant should trail the regular coupe by
about a year.
This means we might not be looking at a new M2 until the
2023 model year. To help tide things over, there are rumors that an extra-hardcore
CSL version of the current M2 could be launched. The car would be
aimed at track enthusiasts in a similar fashion to 2016's M4 GTS.
Interestingly, Autocar also reported that the
front-wheel-drive 2-Series Gran Coupe and related 1-Series hatchback sold
overseas will get their own dedicated M models. These will reportedly come with
all-wheel drive and peak outputs registering over 400 hp, likely from a 2.0-liter
turbocharged inline-4. BMW M boss Marcus Flasch has previously said that such
cars weren't possible due
to the lack of a suitable engine. Given the interest in rival offerings
from Audi Sport and Mercedes-AMG, the situation could change.
by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
http://www.boscheuropean.com
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