BMW recently made an official announcement that the new M2 would enter production later this year, and accompanying that announcement was a camouflaged prototype of the car. Not even two weeks later, our spy photographers were able to capture another prototype testing, this one with more details visible than ever before.

The most notable of these details comes in the form of vents positioned up against the corner of the headlights. The prototypes we’ve seen before all seemed to have headlight units that were different from the notched ones on the regular 2-Series coupe, and now we know why. These vents will likely be used for extra airflow to the engine, or potentially as a clever aerodynamic device, but regardless, we’re fairly certain they’re real, as we can’t imagine a reason why BMW would add a vent like that purely for style.

 

Other than that, the rest of the design appears to remain the same as the other prototypes we’ve seen, with strong geometric styling, larger air intakes, widened fenders, and more aggressive bumper and side skirt designs. Of course, the car will also feature the characteristic M quad tailpipes arranged in their usual fashion, though it looks as though we may be offered a unique stacked arrangement with the optional M Performance parts.

Inside, the car shows more of its massive curved display, which is vastly different than the philosophy taken by the regular 2-Series Coupe. Rather than two separate screens for the gauge cluster and infotainment, this system combines the two into a single curved unit similar to the one found in the i4 and iX. Also similar to those cars is the fact that it is expected to be running BMW’s latest iDrive 8 operating system, which is worth noting because it’s something the regular 2-Series lacks. The leading speculation is that the system will eventually come to the facelifted 2-Series after making its debut on the M2.

 

Powering the car is expected to be a detuned version of the M3 and M4’s twin-turbo 3.0L straight-six engine, which could be rated anywhere from 430 hp to 490 hp in the M2 depending on the trim. That power will be sent to at least the rear wheels if not all four, and both an automatic and manual gearbox are expected to be offered. The new M2 will enter production late this year at the automaker’s San Luis Potosí plant in Mexico, and a reveal could take place sometime around the new M4 CSL‘s May 20 debut as part of BMW M’s 50th-anniversary festivities.