With all the recent spy shots and leaked images showing the redesigned BMW 4 Series and M4's massive kidney grilles, it's easy to forget that BMW is developing a next-generation version of the M2. The new BMW 2 Series Coupe won't arrive until 2021 followed by the next-generation M2 in 2022 and prototypes haven't been spied yet, but that hasn't stopped Instagram artist Zer.o.wt from envisioning what it will look like.

Rendered images of the next-generation BMW M2 combine design elements from the current-generation BMW M2 Competition and the recently-unveiled BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, as well as the new M8, resulting in an evolutionary styling upgrade.

At the front, the render artist has added two large air intakes and a carbon-fiber splitter, while the kidney grille has been borrowed from the M8. Don't worry, it won't be anywhere near as massive as the supersized grille on the new M3 and M4 inspired by the controversial BMW Concept 4 Series. The render artist hasn't shown what the rear could look like, but the taillights will likely be inspired by the 2 Series Gran Coupe's rear lights.

Unlike the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, the new M2 will reportedly be rear-wheel-drive only to satisfy enthusiasts. Under the hood, the next-generation BMW M2 is expected to use the same 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six engine that powers the X3 M and X4 M.

This is also the same unit that will be found under the hood of the next-generation M3 and M4. In the new M2, BMW will reportedly extract at least 420 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque from the inline-six unit, meaning it will have 15 more hp than the current M2 Competition. This means the new BMW M2 Competition will likely have around 450 horsepower.

This output sounds likely since BMW has confirmed the next-generation M3 and M4 will deliver 480 hp in the base spec, and 510 hp in the Competition variants. The current M2 is one of the best driver-focused cars on the market, so expectations for its successor are incredibly high. Let's hope BMW can pull it off.