BMW M fans, brace for electrification. The new M2 will mark the end of an era as the final full-fat M car powered by a pure combustion engine, according to the performance division’s CEO…

Frank van Meel, the head of the BMW M division, has confirmed the upcoming second-generation M2 coupé will be the last full-fat M car without some form of electrification, just as a freshimage of the high-performance coupé leaked online.

The new G87-generation M2 is scheduled to be revealed later in 2022 as one of a flurry of fresh performance models (including the M4 CSL, M4 50 Jahre Edition and M3 Touring) launched to celebrate 50 years of BMW’s M brand. However, the image above seemingly showing the undisguised rear end of the newcomer was recently posted on Instagram by user @wilcoblok.

Though the Munich-based firm has yet to release much in the way of official details, the new M2 is expected to inherit the turbocharged 3.0-litre, straight-six engine already used in the likes of the M3 and M4. In the most compact M product, the S58 unit is expected to generate peak outputs of around 335 kW and 550 Nm.

Based on the latest 2 Series coupé architecture, the new rear-driven M2 will be positioned above the all-wheel-drive M240i and likely again be initially produced in two engine derivatives (with corresponding M2 and M2 Competition badges, though it seems plausible South Africa will receive only the latter).

In an interview with BimmerToday, Van Meel confirmed the upcoming M2 would effectively close the chapter of pure internal-combustion M cars.

“The [new] BMW M2 will definitely be a purist driving machine with its straight-six [engine] and rear-wheel drive. We will see increasing electrification in other vehicles, of course in different forms, starting with the 48-volt electrical system and plug-in hybrids to fully electric drives,” he said.

“From this point of view, the M2 will be the last M with a pure combustion-engine drive and also without electrification scope such as a 48-volt on-board network,” Van Meel told the German publication, before furthermore confirming the new M2 would be available (depending on the market, of course) with the option of a six-speed manual gearbox (in addition to an automatic gearbox).

Electrification of the M brand has already commenced at the other end of the line-up, with the upcoming XM – which is set to go into production before the end of 2022 as the division’s second standalone model – down to employ a plug-in hybrid powertrain based around a V8 petrol engine.

Expect 48-volt systems,hybrid set-ups and ultimately fully electric powertrains to be introduced to other M cars in the coming months and years…