[Artemis]

Originally Posted by RPiM5

This means tunability for the M2 in the future. But don't forget about the future of the M4 either. A Competition Package (ZCP) will be available for the M3/M4 in the future and will most undoubtedly come with a bump in horsepower. This will put the M4 even further ahead in performance than M2. The M2 may get ZCP in far off future too, but that is almost too far ahead to think about right now.

Indeed. Let's puzzle some info bits and pieces together in an attempt to look a bit through the smoke.

A source pointed out that BMW has (currently) no plans for a future LCI (Life Cycle Impulse = update/upgrade) of the M3/M4: these will continue until end of production of the corresponding F3X body style. Though plans for an M4 GTS exist apparently (http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...99&postcount=1).

In November 2013 @Scott26 reported the following about slotting the M2 in Winter 2015-2016 compared to the release of the M235i and M3/M4:

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

I have seen some early preliminary sketches although not respondent of what the car will look like but the creativity behind the visual aspects is underway.
Engineering has already commenced.
But I must repeat there will be an M2 but it is not coming tomorrow.
For now this is the M235i's moment. The gap in both cars between will allow appetites to be whet and new ideas to be conceived and thoroughly evaluated.
The gap will also allow the new M3 and M4 breathing space.

And last January he commented:

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

The timescale works absolutely in favour with the new BMW M3 and BMW M4 Coupe because a gap of two years allows establishment and progress. By this time there will be the Competition Package for the M3 and M4 and there will also be progress for the two cars in an additional specification.
Then you have to think about the next M5 and its leap in technology , lightweight and power increase to just over 600 PS. Granted the M5 won't be on the market at this point but the arrival will be just over twelve months from the G30.
This is where the gap opens for the M2 and there will be ample room for co-existence.
The interesting thing that really shows progress, is that on a presentation briefing between Toyota and BMW on the Z4 Replacement which is the Z3 is the ability to integrate super sports car specifications into that car by extensive use of Carbon Fibre. The Z3 will be the first car , along with its Toyota twin to use a Carbon tub in its price range for a premium manufacturer even undercutting the Alfa Romeo 4C. The bonnet lid and bootlid will also be CFRP and as will areas of the suspension.
It leads to possibly further advances of CFRP on the M2 as the time frame allows for further and extensive application.
The four cylinder[*] resonates with the approach to lightweight application over numbers.
The new BMW M3 and M4 begin the Carbon revolution at M. It's not all about the numbers its about precision through weight reduction.
To understand the significance. Look at that Carbon bodied Maybach at around 1 million dollars. Granted the 7er will not be extensive in application but with all the key panels approached to be fabricated from CFRP it will be far , far less than that Maybach , not even a fraction of the cost. That is how important this is.
Later this year as BMW begin the roll out to the first BMW to adopt a significant lightweight approach their will be media Technology days where you will understand the full outline of how innovative and beneficial this will be for BMW.
Start to get excited.

[*] = before 2014, a 4-cyl was considered for powering the M2; plans seem to have changed around last Winter: exit the 4-cyl plan and enter a 6-cyl engine (N55B30T0, which is also rumored to sport the forthcoming X4 M40i) as the ///M Division's favorite weapon of choice for powering the M2. As regards gearbox/transmission, the same source also confirmed that the M2 will be offered as manual and automatic (http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...99&postcount=1).