A disguised prototype of a next-generation BMW 2Series Coupe has been filmed while undergoing testing on a Californian highway. The clip, which includes tantalisingclose-up tracking footage, revealsa few interestingtidbits (and one or two possible red herrings) about the upcoming model’s design.

Now that the fanfare about the low-volume local introduction of the BMW M2 CS (of which almost the entire consignment of units wassold via an auction recently) hasblown over, the production cycle of the F22-generation model (on which the M2 and its brethren arebased)is evidently nearing itsend and thecountdown to the official reveal of its successor(codenamed G42)can commence!

Picture credit:S. Baldauf/SB-Medien. We have paid for these photos and at the photographer's request, have watermarked them.?

Without a doubt, the 2nd-generation 2 Series 2-door is eagerly anticipated, because, unlike its predecessor, it won't be based on the hatchback's front-wheel-drive platform (as is the case with the 2 Series Gran Coupe)…Instead of beingbased on BMW’s Front Architecture platform, the Coupe will adopt an evolution of the brand’sCluster Architecture (CLAR) platform and be closely based on theZ4 Roadster. This means the compact 2-door coupe will be rear-wheel driven, which will please purists whohave been less than convinced by the 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol andall-wheel-driveM135i–and M235i xDrive.

The wait for the 2er Coupe has been drawn out; in April last year, apair of leaked images of (what appearedto be) the upcoming model wasposted on a fanforum. The partly obscured silver-greycar in those images drew instant comparisons with the aforementionedroadster, which was famously co-developed with Toyota, especially by virtue of itsbroad, slim kidney grille and the shape of the tail-light cluster(s).

The BMW 2-Series was leaked earlier in 2020, giving us a glimpse of the new face.

Then, in September, our spy photographer shota heavily-camouflaged test unit endowedwith a pair oftwo large exhausts.It was undoubtedlya pre-production version of a2 Series Coupe, however, because it was clearly smaller than the recently-launched 4 Series, but had far more elegantproportions (long nose, cab-rearward configuration and a short, kicked-up boot section) than its FWD/AWD siblings.

Now, the YouTube channelKindelTechAutohas published this video, in which a photographer's car cruises up to a 2 Series Coupe prototype while it's travelling on a highway somewhere in the Golden State. Judging from the footage, it's not the exact same car as we photographed last year. The headlamps indeed look teardrop-shaped and the car's bonnet features a pronounced power dome, but the videographernoted that the car had retro-looking recessed door handles and that the famous Hofmeister kink in the rear window(which is so subtle in the 4er that you could miss it) hadbeen disguised withpadding.

As for which version of the 2 Series Coupe it might be, the chances are that it is, at best, an M Sport or M-flavoured derivative. If the new range carries over the Z4's powertrains, there should be 145-kW 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol (220i),a 285-kW 3.0-litre inline-6 turbopetrol(M240i) and probably the 190-kW2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol that does duty in the 330is Edition…

As for the mighty M2, that should only be revealed during 2022. It's unlikely to be as potent as the M3/M4's 353 kW/375 kW twin-turbo 3-litre inline-6, but expect a peak output of well above300 kW.

Sources suggest the 2 Series Coupe (G42) will be fully unveiled near the end of 2021;we expect it to arrive in SA next year, with the flagship M2 potentially only arriving in 2023.

Further Reading:

It's okay to desire a 4-cylinder BMW

BMW M3/M4: Inside Look (w/videos)

BMW M235i Gran Coupe (2020) Review

BMW 4 Series (2020) Launch Review

BMW M135i xDrive (2020) Review