SPY PICS: BMW M2 GTS

Is BMW plotting a stir-crazy M2 GTS? Maybe an M2 CSL?

Whatever badge the car eventually wears, there's sufficient evidence to suggest this recent rendering of an extreme BMW M2, inspired by big-brother, the BMW M4 GTS will be close to the mark.

We've previously reported a super-fast, lightweight version of the BMW M2 is in the works, and BMW M Division product boss Carsten Pries said that the CSL badge has been "parked" and certainly not retired.

So what would a hard core BMW M2 CSL or GTS model offer? For starters, the aerodynamics would need to be beefed up, with a low chin spoiler at the front and a prodigious wing at the rear to improve downforce over both the front and rear axles.

Currently, the award-winning BMW M2 is powered by a 272kW/465Nm inline six-cylinder turbo-petrol engine. Pumping through either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch auto, the M2 rips from zero to 100km/h in just 4.3 seconds and is one of the most engaging coupes you can buy for under $100K in Australia.

An M2 GTS would almost certainly pare the current car's kerb weight of 1520kg (auto) to under 1500kg, and with extra urge under the bonnet, expect that 100km/h dash to be cut to close to 4.0sec flat.

Today's BMW M2 kicks out 272kW at 6500rpm, which could be hiked to 300kW with almost 7000rpm on-board. And torque would likely jump from the current 465Nm to close to 500Nm.

Bigger brake rotors, better pads, larger, lighter alloy wheels with ultra-sticky rubber, enhanced suspension and a whole stack of sporty interior upgrades would elevate the M2 GTS to hero status.

Not that the current M2 lacks appeal. In fact the M2 eclipsed a Porsche 911 to win Australia's Best Driver's Car 2016.

In fact, the BMW M2 is tipped to become the most popular M car in Australia when a new allocation of more than 500 vehicles is secured from September - as part of the 2 Series mid-life update.

Adam Davis, BMW Australia's Product Communications Manager, said there were no plans for a high-power BMW M2 model at this stage.

"The BMW M2 will be featured in the LCI facelift in September [2017] for Australia. But at this stage there's no power upgrades. That's where we're sitting at this stage," Mr Davis stated.

It's not known when the BMW M division will reveal its plans for the first M2 halo car, but it's understood it's a case of when, not if.

Another potential scenario which could play out is the introduction of a BMW M2 Competition model.

The uptake of BMW M3 and M4 Competition models has been huge in Australia. In the last 12 months, 85 per cent of all M3 and M4 vehicles were the up-spec Competition models.

Watch this space.