The Lightweight, 523-hp M2 CS Is Officially the Grippiest BMW Ever

Here at Motor Trend, we're big fans of the BMW M2. We named our 2024 Performance Vehicle of the Year and had an awesome year with the 6-speed manual-equipped version in our long-term review fleet. So what happens when you give the M2 more power, less weight, and some rad purple paint? It's got to be a recipe for success, right? Is it actually? Let's take a closer look at the 2026 BMW M2 CS. The standard M2 isn't slow. It launches from 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds and crosses the ¼ mile in 11.8 seconds at 120.2mph. The CS is slightly quicker, using its extra power and torque to reach 60mph in 3.2 seconds and the ¼ mile in 11.2 seconds at 127.1mph. On our scales, this M2 CS weighed 3,699 pounds, about 140 pounds lighter than a comparable non-CS M2. Even if straight-line acceleration isn't what the M2 CS is built for, it's still very quick. That doesn't mean the M2 CS is less engaging though, quite the opposite. On track, the car feels ultra-precise, with powerful brakes and incredibly accurate steering that makes the driver even more connected to the experience. And with our expert test team at the wheel, the M2 CS posted some excellent performance numbers. Skid pad grip of 1.08g average and a figure 8 lap of 23 seconds at 0.96g average aren't just better than the regular M2, they're better than any BMW M car we've ever tested. So what is CS? BMW doesn't really make it easy, so let me explain. At the bottom of the ladder there's M Sport, which is kind of like Diet M, above that there's Standard M, and above that there's M Competition, then we get into M CS, Competition Sport, and above that there's M CSL, Competition Sport Lightweight. Anyways, about the CS here. The changes start with power. It has the same twin-turbo 3.0-litre i6 as the regular M2, but it's been bumped up to 523hp and 479lb-ft, increases of 50hp and 36lb-ft compared to the standard M2. But it's not just about power, there are also cool changes to the chassis, like an 8mm suspension drop, engine mounts from the M4 CSL, and transmission mounts from the M4 GT3 race car. Pretty cool. So, technically adding two letters to the badge makes the car a little bit heavier, but BMW found ways to take 97lbs off compared to the standard M2. That's done by way of a carbon-fibre roof and a carbon-fibre trunk lid with this rad duckbill spoiler, all carbon-fibre under there. There are also these sweet gold forged wheels, and on this particular car, carbon-ceramic brakes removing another 40lbs from the kerb weight. The lightweighting continues inside with these supportive but aggressive carbon-backed bucket seats, carbon-fibre all over the dashboard, and it's so lightweight that BMW even took out the cupholders and armrests. Another thing I want to point out is this 8-speed automatic transmission here. The M2 CS is not available with a manual. The trouble with the CS is that it's a lot more expensive than the regular M2. Pricing starts at almost $100,000, and this car, equipped with $8,500 carbon-ceramic brakes and $3,000 velvet blue paint, come on BMW, it's purple, rings in at more than $111,000. Does that make the CS worth it over the already awesome standard BMW M2? For our full evaluations and test results, head to MotorTrend.com. Oh, and for anyone who watched our Porsche 911 Turbo S test video and thought my voiceover was AI, you're wrong.