At a first glance, those renderings look like official images of the upcoming BMW M2 Competition, but after confirming with several sources, the alleged official images are just simply some great Photoshop efforts to showcase design of the sportier M2.

The images are based on the current M2 Facelift model, but decked out with some M Performance Parts, from the carbon fiber front splitter and blacked out kidney grille, to the side mirror caps also in carbon fiber and the rear diffuser. A more aggressive and sportier M Performance Exhaust system, and a rear spoiler are also illustrated.

To make things even more confusing or real, depends which you look at it, the renderings use the new colors for the M2 Competition – Silver Hockenheim and Sunset Orange. The M2 CS will continue to be offered in Alpine White, Black Sapphire, Mineral Grey and Long Beach Blue Metallic. Inside, while the M2 is only available with one option, the M2 CS will enhance the look of the interior of the Dakota black leather upholstery with contrast stitching in Polar Blue or Kyalami Orange and the option of normal or perforated leather. Additionally, BMW will offer optional M Sport Seats and M Sport Brakes, for that extra ///M flavor craved by its customers.

The BMW M2 – as we know it today – will be retired in June 2018 and will shortly be replaced by the BMW M2 Competition. We first reported on this change exactly a year ago. The legendary N55 3.0 liter TwinTurbo six-cylinder will also be replaced by a detuned S55 unit, with the same internal components as the one found in the M3 and M4, but with slightly less power – 405 hp. The engine will be mated to a 7-speed M-DCT transmission or a six-speed manual.

Along with the 400 horsepower, nearly 500 Nm of torque are on the table for the M2 CS, but even more important than the slightly higher peak power is the more aggressive response of the twin-turbocharged straight-six cylinder with 3.0 liter displacement.

Click below for more photos: