2023 BMW M2 leaked

The 2023 BMW M2 sports coupe has leaked online, ahead of its full reveal due in the second half of this year, and a likely Australian launch early next year.

The sole image published to Instagram by @bmw_m_collector (via @wilcoblok) showcases the new M2's rear end, which carries BMW's traditional M-car styling cues: four exhaust tips, wide rear haunches, and more aggressive styling cues.

While not clearly visible from this angle, the new car's side skirts look to blend smoothly into the rear arches – as hinted at by insiders that have seen the final design – while the arches are filled by multi-spoke 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels akin to what's been seen on prototypes.

As predicted, the M2 example pictured is finished in what's expected to be its 'hero' launch colour, known as M Zandvoort Blue – continuing the BMW M tradition of naming hero colours after race tracks (e.g. Sao Paulo Yellow or Isle of Man Green).

No images of the interior have surfaced, though spy photos confirm rumours the car will adopt BMW's latest iDrive 8 twin-screen dashboard – now rolling out on the standard 2 Series range – with a 14.9-inch touchscreen and large digital instrument display.

Powering the new M2 is all but confirmed to be a version of the larger M3 and M4's 3.0-litre 'S58' twin-turbo inline-six engine, rumoured to be detuned from the M3 Competition's 375kW, to around 339kW.

Six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic transmissions are slated to be offered – though the three-pedal option could be a US exclusive, reports suggest. Rear-wheel drive will be the only choice.

Insiders report available performance features will include M2-specific 19-inch front and 20-inch rear alloy wheels, a carbon-fibre roof, and M Carbon bucket seats, and steel (but not carbon-ceramic) brakes.

The 2023 BMW M2 is slated for reveal in the second half of this year, ahead of a start to production in December 2022. This would suggest first Australian arrivals in the first half of 2023 (likely around April).