The new generation BMW M2 may appear as an electric car, a hybrid is not planned

BMW’s M division has already ruled out three- and four-cylinder cars in the coming days.

The BMW The M2 marks the beginning of the end for the internal combustion engine in the German luxury car brand’s stable. BMW has already revealed that the second-generation M2 is the last M performance car to eschew electrification. He also hinted that the next-generation model will be all-electric rather than a hybrid. The automaker claims that starting in 2023, every new full-fledged M division car will come with a hybrid powertrain that will replicate the wild XM.

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Meanwhile, BMW has already eliminated the performance of cars with three or four-cylinder engines. Continuing the production of six-cylinder engines after 2030 and adding a touch of electrification seems unlikely, as the European Union is considering a ban on the sale of new cars with internal combustion engines from 2035. Watching these events and considering the fact that a smaller engine would not be worth it M2once the battery runs out, it’s safe to assume that a potential third generation BMW M2 will be an all-electric model.

Speaking about the automaker’s strategy, BMW M division CEO Frank van Meel told CarBuzz that developing a plug-in hybrid with a downsized engine is a challenge, as the internal combustion powertrain must be powerful enough to compensate for the hybrid’s lack of boost when the battery is dead. “Putting a plug-in hybrid into a small car can be a challenge because a plug-in hybrid has to have enough power even if the electric part is not available. If your base engine isn’t strong enough, then a plug-in hybrid doesn’t make sense,” he said.

Interestingly, another German luxury car brand is BMW’s arch rival Mercedes-Benz would like to distinguish. The new Mercedes-AMG C63 received a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that independently produces 469 hp. of peak power and 545 Nm of torque.

Date of first publication: October 18, 2022, 3:53 PM IST