In production since 2013, the current BMW 2 Series is a bit long in the tooth as of 2020. But we know that the German company is working on a new-generation version because we keep seeing it being tested in various locations. Our paparazzi just sent us a new batch of spy shots, and it seems that the upcoming 2 Series will look a lot more muscular than the outgoing model. But there's more good news to consider.

The 2022 BMW 2 Series is a baby 4 Series with load of muscle

Once a really compact and light car, the 3 Series Coupe has grown bigger and heavier, and its replacement - the 4 Series - is just about the same. But if you like your two-door cars with a relatively small footprint, the 2 Series is the perfect choice. This test car is heavily camouflaged, but we can spot strong hints that it will look hotter than before. It features wider front fenders with beefed-up wheel arches and even beefier rear fenders. The beltline suggests a sculpted profile similar to the 4 Series and even the bigger 8 Series coupe.

Photos of an uncovered coupe that leaked earlier in 2020 confirm deep, triangular side vents in the front bumper and a sizable two-piece splitter at the bottom. Expect the rear section to retain BMW's corporate design with taillights that run into the trunk lid and a sporty bumper with a black insert at the bottom. But this new generation might have a more aggressive design with fake vertical vents in the rear bumper, as seen on the 8 Series.

The 2022 BMW 2 Series will be RWD

When BMW unveiled the latest 1 Series in 2019 with a FWD layout, there was talk that the 2 Series might follow the same route. But it seems that the 2 Series coupe will remain an RWD car, with only the 2 Series Sedan to feature a front-wheel-drive platform. This is tremendous news, as rear-wheel drive BMW enthusiasts don't need to pay a 4 Series premium to get a RWD coupe. The 2 Series will remain the company's most affordable RWD car and, more importantly, it will spawn some cool high-performance models sporting "M," "CS," and "CSL" badges.

The 2022 BMW 2 Series will feature a variety of gas and diesel engines

The current 2 Series is offered with seven gas and diesel engine choices around the world. BMW might reduce the number of options for the new 2 Series, as it did with the 1 Series, but it will continue to offer both gasoline and diesel power. The base gas model should retain the three-cylinder layout, most likely in the form of an updated 1.5-liter unit with close to 140 horsepower. On the diesel front, expect a 1.5-liter three-pot with 114 horses (216d version) and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 148 and 188 horsepower in the 218d and 220d trims, respectively.

Transmission choices should include, depending on trim and power, a six-speed manual, an eight-speed automatic, and a seven-speed dual-clutch.