When the first-generation BMW M2 launched in 2016, enthusiasts everywhere breathed a huge sigh of relief knowing that their beloved German automaker had not forgotten them. Many regard the BMW 2 Series and the M2 as the quintessential BMW coupe due to its size, rear-wheel-drive setup, and excellent driving dynamics. The 3 Series has grown dramatically in size over the years (and spawned the 4 Series coupe and convertible), leaving many previous customers searching for something more compact. But as the life cycle of the base 2 Series is coming to an end, so is that of the M2 and the more recent M2 CS.

According to BMW Blog, M2 production is scheduled to end this fall for the European market only. This applies to both the M2 and M2 CS.

However, customers from outside of Europe, including North America, will still receive allocations. We still don't know what the deadline will be for US orders, though it's probably not too far off. But here's a question to ponder: given the M2's fairly recent market introduction, why is it already being phased out, at least in Europe? The answer is because of increasingly stringent emissions standards, which are even stricter in Europe than in the US.

One recent victim is BMW's V12 engine that powered the M760i. BMW is also being forced to deal with the fact that the M2 shares the same S55 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six with the already discontinued (in Europe) F80 M3 and M4.

Continuing with an aging engine solely for one relatively niche model makes no business sense. The S55 inline-six first hit the market back in 2014 and it would be expensive to upgrade it to meet current and future C02 standards. Fortunately, there's still plenty of good news for M2 fans.

A second-generation model is very much in development and, unlike the recently launched BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, the new M2 and 2 Series coupe will continue to ride on a RWD platform instead of a FWD architecture.