SPY PICS: Hot new BMW M2 hits snow

Our photographers in Sweden have captured the hotly-anticipated new-generation 2022 BMW M2 testing in icy conditions.

To the delight of BMW M enthusiasts, the German manufacturer confirmed last year that the upcoming ‘G87’ BMW M2 would continue to offer a rear-wheel drive system.

The camouflage wrap on this latest test mule does a good job of hiding the flagship small BMW M car, with all bar the huge wheels, quad exhaust tips and front windows on show.

The guards appear more pumped, while it’s difficult to tell whether the rear bootlid spoiler has grown in size.

Beyond the gloss black wheels are huge cross-drilled brake discs with blue callipers up front, while the heavy camo continues at the front-end – leaving only a few air intakes and radar/sensor openings – and the side-on shots show a familiar shapely silhouette.

If that’s not enough to whet the appetite, the 2022 BMW M2 will come blasting in with an iteration of the new S58 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder petrol engine that debuted in the BMW X3 M and X4 M and also powers the new 2021 BMW M3 and M4.

Unlike its larger siblings, however, the M2 Competition is expected to come with a lesser tune of around 315kW, which is still up 12kW compared to its predecessor, while the same 550Nm of torque is slated to continue.

BMW is also set to offer two transmissions – a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic – both linked to an M active differential.

As we’ve previously reported, the incoming new BMW M2 will be based on a heavily updated version of the next 2 Series CLAR platform that was also used as the basis for the Toyota GR Supra and BMW Z4.

The new architecture supports 48-volt mild-hybrid tech, however the baby M2 won’t be offered with an electrified option from launch.

Due to be unveiled this year, the hottest version of BMW’s next 2 Series small car is due on sale in Australia in 2022.