- Tremendous Power Under the Hood
- Automatic Transmission Only
- Weight Reduction Using Carbon Fiber
- Superior Driving Dynamics
- Aggressive Exterior Design and Exclusive Touches
- Driver-Focused Cabin
- Advanced Technologies and Exclusive Features
- Premium Price for an Exceptional Experience
BMW continues to strengthen its rich legacy in the world of sports cars by launching the most powerful and advanced version of the M2 model, under the name M2 CS for the 2026 model year. This new car embodies the “Competition Sport” philosophy, focusing on delivering the highest levels of performance and dynamics, while preserving the pure driving pleasure that BMW’s M division is renowned for.
Tremendous Power Under the Hood
The new BMW M2 CS is powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six engine (S58), the same unit found in the M3 and M4, but specially tuned to deliver 523 horsepower and 650 Nm of torque. This marks a 50-horsepower increase over the standard automatic M2 and 79 more than the previous-generation M2 CS, making it the most powerful rear-wheel-drive M car in the brand’s history.
The car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds, with a top speed electronically limited to 302 km/h, outperforming most competitors in its compact sports segment.
Automatic Transmission Only
Contrary to the expectations of some traditional driving enthusiasts, the M2 CS is offered exclusively with an 8-speed automatic transmission, with no manual option. BMW justifies this by stating that this version is aimed at achieving the best acceleration and track performance numbers, as the automatic gearbox provides faster response and optimal power distribution.
Weight Reduction Using Carbon Fiber
BMW has worked to reduce the car’s weight as much as possible by extensively using carbon fiber in the roof, trunk lid, mirror caps, and rear diffuser. The car is also equipped with lightweight 19-inch forged aluminum wheels with a sporty design. All these elements contribute to a total weight of about 1,700 kg in Europe and 3,770 lbs in the United States, roughly 97 lbs less than the standard M2.
For those seeking even more extreme performance, optional carbon-ceramic brakes are available, further reducing weight and improving braking, although they come at a high additional cost.
Superior Driving Dynamics
The updates are not limited to the engine and weight; the suspension system has been specially tuned for the CS, with unique adaptive springs and dampers, and the ride height is lowered by 0.2 inches compared to the standard M2. The electronic stability system and the M Dynamic Mode have also been recalibrated to give the driver more freedom to explore the car’s limits on the track.
Aggressive Exterior Design and Exclusive Touches
The M2 CS retains the aggressive lines of the standard M2 with some exclusive details, such as the integrated “ducktail” rear spoiler that combines style and function, visible carbon fiber accents, and red CS badging on various parts of the car. Matte gold wheels are also available, adding a luxurious sporty touch.
Driver-Focused Cabin
Inside, the car features carbon fiber sports seats upholstered in black Merino leather with signature M tri-color stitching, providing ideal support for both daily driving and track use. The Alcantara-wrapped sports steering wheel with a red center marker and M buttons for quick driving mode adjustments further enhance the cabin’s sporty feel.
The cabin is also adorned with carbon fiber trim on the dashboard and center console, customizable ambient lighting, and illuminated CS door sills.
Advanced Technologies and Exclusive Features
The car is equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster paired with a 14.9-inch central touchscreen running BMW’s latest iDrive 8.5 system, with full support for Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, advanced navigation, smart connectivity options, and driver assistance systems.
Premium Price for an Exceptional Experience
The 2026 BMW M2 CS is set to launch with a starting price of $99,775, which is over $33,000 more than the standard M2. This price is justified by the high-performance equipment, lightweight materials, and import duties for the U.S. market.
