BMW M2 Ends European Production This Fall

BMW is ending production of the M2 Competition and M2 CS for the European market this fall. The 370-horsepower coupe proved a hit with enthusiasts, offering a straightforward package reminding us that simplicity is often a virtue, but it’s living on borrowed time on the Old Continent, as is the hardcore 410-hp CS variant.

Why would BMW kill off the car often pointed to by auto journalists as the best in its entire lineup? You’re welcome to hazard a guess, though most, including this outlet, would point to strengthening emission regulations in Europe as the likely offender.

BMW Blog also seemed to think so when it broke the story to the English-speaking world:

Allegedly, the reason for the early end of the M2 production is closely related to the increasingly stringent emissions standards and the demanding requirements for the CO2 emissions of the European new car fleet. The BMW M760i with its V12 engine is another “victim” of these new emission rules.

After the production of the current BMW M4 Coupe and Convertible was recently discontinued in Europe, as planned, the BMW M2 Competition was the last model to use S55 [straight-six, 3.0-liter] TwinTurbo engine. Therefore, adapting the 2014-born engine to the stricter emission requirements simply makes no economic sense.

We’ve since confirmed with BMW that the current-generation M2 will be discontinued in the European market by the end of 2020. BMW did say the model will continue being assembled for other markets, giving some credibility to its death being emissions related. We also don’t know if Bavaria has a successor planned or what timetable it’s hoping to adhere to. BMW may simply want to sit on the current-generation M2 in other markets while it attempts to design something that could cater to all markets.

Rumors suggest a new M2 is already in the works. It’s presumed to use the BMW 2 Series Coupe (G42) that’s supposed to debut in 2021 as its foundation — leading everyone to believe the next M2 (likely arriving in 2022) will be more tech focused than its predecessor, with a shrunken powertrain. While unlikely to negatively impact lap times, the fear is that it will upset the M2’s crowning achievement of being truly engaging to drive.

[Images: BMW]