The most powerful BMW M2 money can get you today is the M2 Competition. It uses a 3.0-cylinder, straight-six engine that’s also turbocharged and mated to a six-speed manual transmission (seven-speed DCT optional) that handles 405 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque.

If recent rumors are to be believed, however, the incoming BMW M2 could make considerably more power and sit at the top of a compact M-badged lineup BMW wants to unleash in the future.

How Much Power Will the Next-Gen BMW M2 Have?

Provided Autocar’s recent report is accurate, BMW will look to come to market with a second-generation M2 in 2022.

When that happens, the new M2 will flex the same six-cylinder as the yet-to-be-revealed BMW M3 and M4, which we know are getting their juice from the same engine found inside the X3 M and X4 M (where it cranks out 473 or 503 horsepower).

If that’s the case, then the S58 mill will kick out the S55 found inside the current BMW M2, but it will come in a detuned flavor. According to the same source, the unit will rev to 7,200 rpm inside the new M2, and it could produce over 420 horsepower inside the standard M2.

The move makes all the sense in the world, especially since BMW M has to fend off the threat coming from Mercedes-AMG. Affalterbach’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine produces as much as 416 horsepower, so M’s mechanical wizards are undoubtedly willing to best that.

What’s more, the S58 is compatible with BMW’s eight-speed M Sport automatic because that’s what it pairs with inside the X3 M/X4 M. It’s yet to be decided if BMW will offer the new M2 with a manual gearbox choice, but the brand’s fan base will undoubtedly cry for one.

The new BMW M2 will be based on the upcoming second-generation 2 Series Coupé, which will sit on BMW’s CLAR underpinnings, so the engine will still be mounted longitudinally.

There’s no word on whether BMW will attempt to implement some form of electrification inside the new M2, so for now it’s safe to assume that it will be a purely ICE car, at least until we get official word from BMW that says otherwise.

Pictured – BMW M2 by Temirlan Nurbatyrov on Behance