- More Power and Pure Rear Wheel Drive
- Weight Reduction with Carbon Fiber Upgrades
- Superior Track Performance
- Price Nears the Six Figure Mark
The Chengdu Auto Show witnessed one of the year’s most exciting reveals with the launch of the 2026 BMW M2KSA BMW M2UAE BMW M2Bahrain BMW M2Egypt BMW M2Kuwait BMW M2Oman BMW M2Qatar BMW M2 CS.
Positioned at the very top of BMWUAE BMWBahrain BMWKSA BMWOman BMWQatar BMWEgypt BMWKuwait BMW’s rear wheel drive M lineup, this model brings a bold mix of power and track focused performance. As the most extreme version of the M2 under the Competition Sport badge, it was engineered with a clear mission of delivering the quickest acceleration and sharpest lap times.
However, the debut also came with a detail that may disappoint purists, as the manual transmission has been dropped entirely, with the car offered exclusively with an eight speed automatic gearbox.
More Power and Pure Rear Wheel Drive
The 2026 BMW M2 CS takes performance to the next level with a 3.0 liter straight six engine equipped with twin turbos, producing 523 horsepower and 650 Nm of torque. These figures mark a clear jump over the standard M2, with an additional 50 horsepower and 36 Nm of torque. Compared to the previous generation M2 CS, the gain is even more impressive at 79 extra horsepower.
This engine is a revised version of the one found in the M3 Competition xDrive, though it falls 20 horsepower short of the 543 hp output in the M3 CS. Still, BMW stayed committed to rear wheel drive only, keeping the new CS as the most powerful rear drive M car ever built.
Engine: 3.0 liter, straight six, twin turbo
Power: 523 hp
Torque: 650 Nm
Transmission: 8 speed automatic only
Drivetrain: Rear wheel drive
Weight Reduction with Carbon Fiber Upgrades
BMW did not stop at boosting the engine; it also put the M2 CS on what it calls a weight reduction diet, using carbon fiber extensively in key components such as:
Roof
Trunk lid
Mirror caps
Rear diffuser
The car also gains an integrated ducktail rear spoiler, which not only sharpens its aggressive character but also improves aerodynamics.
Inside, the cabin mirrors the pure racing spirit with M Carbon bucket seats and lightweight interior trim pieces. Forged aluminum wheels come as standard, further cutting unnecessary mass. Thanks to these measures, the total weight comes in at around 1710 kg (3770 lbs), nearly 100 kg lighter than the M2 Competition.
For those seeking even more extreme performance, BMW offers optional carbon ceramic brakes for an additional 8500 USD (31,216 AED), delivering superior stopping power and stability at high speeds.
Superior Track Performance
The acceleration figures highlight the pure sporting character of the new BMW M2 CS. The car sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds, making it quicker than the standard automatic M2 which does it in 3.9 seconds. For reference, the manual version of the M2 previously tested by BMW also clocked 3.9 seconds.
Additional upgrades include:
A complete retuning of the suspension system
A 0.2 inch lower ride height thanks to new springs
Adaptive dampers with unique CS programming
Adjustments to stability control and M Dynamic mode to give drivers more freedom before electronic intervention
Together, these changes deliver sharper handling, a more direct steering feel, and make the M2 CS feel closer to a true race car that can still be driven on public roads.
Price Nears the Six Figure Mark
The 2026 BMW M2 CS is set to go on sale before the end of the year with a starting price of 99,775 USD (366,423 AED), which is about 33,100 USD higher than the standard 2025 M2.
It is worth noting that all M2 models, including the CS, are built at BMW’s plant in Mexico, a factor that partly explains the elevated price. Current US tariffs also play a role, and if they remain in place, the price difference between the standard M2 and the CS could shrink in the coming years.
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