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As you might be aware by now, BMW is in the midst of preparing (what we'd like to believe) a true successor to the likes of the original E30 BMW M3 - the F87 BMW M2 Coupe. Initial photos of a test mule first surfaced way back in the middle of 2014 and ever since then, sightings have become more frequent.

Even rendering whiz, Theophilus Chin, could not contain his excitement for the BMW M2 - leading to the sole rendering you see above. Further adding to the hype are several new photos of the BMW M2 running about the Nurburgring circuit and undergoing winter tests in near-production form.

A world debut for the new M-derived performance car is scheduled take place at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Production is expected to kick off not long after, possibly in November, for both the European and US markets.

Under the bonnet, the BMW M2 will most likely be powered by a new S57 engine that shares some of its oily bits with the B57 mill from the G11 BMW 7 Series, as reported by Autocar UK. The new turbocharged, 3.0 litre six-cylinder engine is capable of producing "up to 400 hp" in its highest state of tune.

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With that said, contrasting reports are stating that the engine of choice will be sourced from the N55 range. The mill will, reportedly, be tuned to produce the most power it possibly can as a form of final send-off before being replaced by the B58 range of engines.

No matter what the engine choice may be, purists will be glad to know that the BMW M2 will be offered with a six-speed manual transmission. An automatic variant is expected to be present either in the guise of the seven-speed DCT transmission or the eight-speed ZF gearbox - the former might bring the M2 too close to the M3 and M4 in terms of performance, though.

Power, in true BMW M fashion, will go the rear wheels. A xDrive four-wheel drive system could be included in the lineup some time after the launch. While performance figures have yet to set in stone, various reports are indicating that the BMW M2 will launch from 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and power on to 250 km/h.