Some BMW performance purists haven't been too pleased to see the M3 become bigger and bigger over the years. That's why BMW launched the 1 Series M Coupe back in 2010, the spiritual successor to the original E30 M3. Today there's the new M235i (pictured here), a hot coupe that'll surely please many, but not everyone. Fortunately, BMW will very likely give the production green light for an M2 coupe, a car that one BMW official claims "makes a lot of sense."

If the M2 does happen, and we think it will, it'll likely be powered by a twin-turbocharged version of the M235i's 3.0-liter six-cylinder, but output will be closer to 380 horsepower. The M235i has a total of 322 hp. What's also likely is that the M2 will feature a lot of the new chassis technology found in the 2015 M3/M4, such as an electronically controlled limited slip rear differential. As long as there are no major changes or surprises, the M2 could be on the market as early as 2016 at a price point below the M3 and M4. Then again, no BMW M car comes cheap.