For many years, BMW has been known for producing the "ultimate driving machine". To a lot of car enthusiasts, the BMW M2 with its inline-six engine, rear-wheel drive and manual transmission exemplifies that ideal. Nevertheless, what the "ultimate driving machine" stands for will be significantly different in the coming decade, and BMW is making adjustments to stay current.
Frank Van Meel, the head of BMW's M Division, has recently revealed to the German publication Bimmer Today (originally spotted by Motor 1) that the forthcoming 2023 M2 will be the last model that is only powered by internal combustion. This comes shortly after BMW announced that they are revamping the M2 for the 2023 model year.
Van Meel stated (via Google Translate) that the BMW M2 will be a vehicle that caters to driving enthusiasts, with its straight-six engine and rear-wheel drive. As for other models, we will be seeing more electrification, from a 48-volt electrical system to plug-in hybrids and full electric drives. The M2, however, will be the last of its kind without any electrification elements, such as a 48-volt on-board network.
It's no surprise that BMW is saying goodbye to its idea of a classic sports car, particularly since it wouldn't even include a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The combustion engine is headed for extinction, with European Union legislators working to bar it completely by 2035. Other nations intend to implement a pure combustion ban even earlier. Where internal combustion engines still exist, they are forecasted to be in more affordable cars; competitors of BMW, such as Mercedes, Audi and Lexus, have all declared that they will go all-electric.
It would be unanticipated if BMW M were to release a new vehicle with a pure ICE powertrain in the mid to late 2020s since the M5 is likely to become a plug-in hybrid and the M3 and M4 have recently been upgraded. Therefore, there is no BMW M car that would make sense to update with a pure ICE powertrain.
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