M2 CS: The Swansong for the Ultimate Driving Machine The BMW M2 is often regarded by many to be “the best M car” since the E46 CSL. Being the cheapest M car meant it had a lot fewer computers, a toned-down steering rack and as a result a more back-to-basics drive. Be that in both its F87 or current G87 guise. However, due to emission regulations, BMW have stated that their days of producing pure petrol-powered M monsters are coming to a close and that the brand new G87 M2 CS will be the Swansong for the Ultimate Driving Machine. Needless to say, BMW have gone all out to make this final encore as special as it gets. Read More 2026 BMW M2 CS: The Ultimate Driving Machine’s Swansong For starters, this car’s styling has that bold, don’t mess with me look of a pitbull puppy. From its blacked-out kidney grilles, a matte black front splitter, bulging bonnet, lowered roof, carbon-fibre rear diffuser and huge M4 CSL inspired ducktail spoiler, most of which is made from a blend of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic. Inside, the CS features M Carbon merino leather and Alcantara bucket seats, an Alcantara steering wheel and red accents everywhere. You also get BMW Live Cockpit Professional, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and the BMW Operating System 8.5. Despite this, the M2 CS weighs in at 1700kg, 30 kg less than the standard M2. BMW have also beefed up the S58, 3.0l twin-turbo straight six with a larger intercooler, an improved thermal management oil cooling, a free-flowing exhaust, a recalibrated ECU and higher boost pressure from the turbochargers. The result of all this is 530 horsepower and 480lb-ft of torque. The result of this is 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds and with the M Driver’s package available, the car will max out at 188mph.However speed is not what makes the CS special, it’s the handling. It sits 8 mm lower to the ground and benefits from bespoke springs, dampers, and DSC settings. The adaptive M chassis, M Sport differential, and M Servotronic steering are all custom-tuned for this car as is the M Drive Professional suite, such as a 10-stage M Traction Control, M Drift Analyser, and M Lap timer. It also features bespoke M Compound brakes with red callipers, though for improved stopping, optional M Carbon Ceramic brakes are available. Sadly, BMW have for some reason decided not to offer the CS with a manual, but this is still a car that lights up its rear every-time your toe touches the accelerator pedal. It’s a giggling gangster, a $130,000 fun machine and sometimes fun and giggles are worth more than outright performance. Yet as this recent record has shown, the M2 CS shouldn’t be underestimated. The Incredible Lap Record: Proof of a Brilliant, Brilliant Car On the 11th of April 2025, BMW development driver and racing pro Jörg Weidinger took the CS to the infamous Nürburgring Nordschleife and set a fairly rapid time of 7:25.5. Not only is it faster than any Audi RS3, but it’s 13 seconds quicker than the old M2 CS, which set a time of 7:38.7 and ironically was also driven by Weidinger. In fact, this record proves why the M2 CS should never be overlooked. Down the main straight it hit a staggering 185mph, only 3mph short of its official top speed. BMW M GmbH CEO Franciscus van Meel called the achievement “a demonstration of what’s possible when performance, technology and outstanding driving dynamics come together.” Now of course, the M2 CS isn’t the fastest BMW M Car around the Nürburgring, for that honour goes to the M4 CSL with its 7:18.14. However, one has to remember that the CSL is the most hardcore BMW ever made. It was built to do exactly that, demolish any racetrack, at any time and in any weather. The M2 CS was conceived for fun, a car designed for grins and smoke rather than lap times and tracks. But this incredible lap record has shown that even this tyre-shredding lunatic can do the impossible. It’s a Jekyll and Hyde car, a brilliant car, and frankly, if this is indeed the Swansong for the petrol-powered M car, it’s one hell of a finale. A brilliant blaze of glory. Source: Top Gear
