New BMW M2 rendered

The next-generation BMW M2 coupe may still be a couple of years off but unlike its compact siblings the 2 Series coupe will retain its rear-drive layout.

As the new BMW 1 Series hatch switches to front-drive – it's been a pusher not a puller since its inception in 2004 – the 2 Series coupe will stay a rear-drive vehicle, as outlined by Dr Klaus Frolich, BMW's development chief, last year.

A global sellout success for the brand, Frolich has already nicknamed the next-generation BMW M2 the 'drift machine' and it may look something akin to this creation when it arrives in the next couple of years, after the upcoming BMW M2 CSL delivers a fitting farewell for the current generation car.

The render was whipped-up by X-TOMI Design, depicting a tough-looking chunk of mechanical muscle that borrows a few more angular elements from its bigger brother, the new BMW 3 Series.

Expected to retain its six-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, the next BMW M2 could mirror the upcoming BMW M3 coming to Oz in 2020, which is tipped to pump out around 10 per cent more power.

Presently, the BMW M2 Competition ($99,900) has a goodly amount of gristle (302kW/550Nm) but this could be upped to around 330kW/600Nm with a little help from water injection technology, first seen on the BMW M4 GTS.

BMW sources say the current M2 Competition will remain in production for at least a couple of years.

Every BMW 2 Series model – except the coupe and convertible – is expected to be front- or all-wheel drive and will be based on the same UKL platform as the new 1 Series hatch.

That means the replacement for next BMW M2 due around 2021 may not be based on the UKL front-drive platform underneath the new BMW 1 Series. Instead it could use the CLAR platform that underpins the BMW 3 Series.

In an interview with Australian media recently, BMW M president Markus Flasch said there would be no full-blooded, front-drive M cars - which means the X-TOMI Design BMW M1 pictured here will end up being an slightly less intense M Performance model.

"There is no front-wheel drive M car and [that] will stay this way," he intoned.

There's also a possibility the new M2 could be offered with all-wheel drive, which has being factored into development of the new-generation M3.

Having already taken out the title of Australia's Best Driver's Car in 2016, the wait for the next BMW M2 will be eagerly awaited.

Stay tuned for our first drive of the new front-drive BMW 1 Series hatch from Europe on the July 17.