A prototype for the facelifted BMW M2 has been spied while testing on a highway new Leipzig, Germany.

It is no secret that the German company is working on its LCI (Life Cycle Impulse) for the M2, expected to debut in the latter half of 2017 and this prototype can be easily distinguished from the current model.

For starters, it has been installed with new taillights that have a slightly different inner design than those of the current model. Additionally, a small strip of camouflage can be seen in the center of the rear bumper.

As noted by Bimmer Post however, the most interesting element of this test mule is that it appears to have the same exhaust system as the current M3 and M4 duo. This has led to speculation that the facelifted M2 could actually receive the same twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter S55 six-cylinder engine as the M3/M4, rather than the single turbo’d 3.0-liter of the current M2.

For a facelift, it would be quite surprising if BMW introduced a new engine into the standard model but not impossible. What is perhaps more likely is that this prototype is testing out new visual elements of the LCI as well as the powertrain of a potential special edition variant, potentially the much talked about M2 GTS/CSL.

All shall be revealed next year.

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