BMW’s most affordable M performance cars are arguably best known – at least in their current generation – for their potent twin-turbo six-cylinder engines, often regarded as some of the best in class. A cloud has hung over the head of the ‘S58’ 3.0-litre straight-six which powers the M2, M3 and M4 though, due to upcoming emissions regulations which have threatened to see the models electrified. To ensure the S58 can meet the upcoming ‘Euro 7’ emissions standards (due to be in effect from November 2026, BMW has announced the M2, M3 and M4 are soon to adopt a new pre-chamber ignition system, claimed to not only lead to lower emissions but also reduced fuel consumption under high loads. Dubbed ‘BMW M Ignite’ technology, the new system centres around the pre-chamber positioned within the cylinder head, which is connected with the cylinder’s main combustion chamber by overflow openings. This pre-chamber has its own spark plug and ignition coil, meaning the engine has two ignition systems. While BMW says it patented the technology in 2024, we’ve seen an almost identical system feature on Maserati’s Nettuno V6 with the same benefits, while pre-chamber combustion was introduced in Formula 1 back in 2014, though it can be traced back to diesel engines. “At low and medium revs, the conventional spark plug in the main combustion chamber fires before the spark plug in the pre-chamber,” BMW said in a press release. “But when the engine is operating under higher revs and loads, the pre-chamber ignition takes over the lead role, with part of the fuel-air mixture channelled through the openings into the pre-chamber also ignited there. “The flames generated as a result exit the pre-chamber at around the speed of sound. “These ignition jets then ignite the mixture in the main combustion chamber above