2026 BMW M2 CS raises power, sheds pounds, and targets track-day regulars
BMW’s compact two-door has never lacked for speed, yet the 2026 BMW M2 CS goes a step beyond the already potent standard M2. More power, less mass, and a bundle of carbon-fiber bits sharpen the car’s focus on weekend lapping without sacrificing street manners. As is customary with BMW’s “CS” badges, production will be capped, pricing climbs sharply, and a six-speed manual is nowhere in sight—developments that may spark as much debate as excitement.
Powertrain and Performance
The familiar 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six (internally S58) now pushes 530 hp at 6,250 rpm and 479 lb-ft of torque from 2,650 to 5,730 rpm—gains of 50 hp and 37 lb-ft versus the standard 2025 M2. Revised engine mapping, a stiffer mounting setup, and BMW’s ever-busy M TwinPower hardware achieve the uptick. An eight-speed M Steptronic automatic with Drivelogic remains the sole transmission, routing thrust exclusively to the rear axle.
The factory claims 0–100 km/h in 3.8 seconds; converting the metric figure puts 0–60 mph around 3.7 seconds using the U.S. standard rollout. Keep your right foot planted and the CS will touch an electronically reined-in 188 mph, thanks to the standard M Driver’s Package.
Chassis, Wheels, and Brakes
BMW trimmed roughly 66 lb from the curb weight—most of it through widespread carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) parts and forged wheels. Springs, adaptive dampers, and anti-roll bar calibrations are unique to the CS, while ride height drops 0.3 in. Steering assistance (M Servotronic), the integrated brake system, and the active rear differential all receive model-specific coding.
Red-painted M Compound brakes clamp 380 mm front and 370 mm rear rotors out of the box; carbon-ceramic discs with larger diameters are optional for track addicts. The wheels are staggered—19 × 9.5-inch front, 20 × 10.5-inch rear—finished in matte Gold Bronze and wrapped in 275/35ZR19 and 285/30ZR20 rubber. Buyers can choose no-cost performance street tires, the default track-focused tire, or an even stickier “ultra-track” option.
Lightweight design and exterior cues
The CS stands out without resorting to oversized splitters or towering wings. A carbon roof, CFRP trunk lid with an integrated “ducktail” lip, front splitter, rear diffuser, and mirror caps all shave ounces while broadcasting intent. The kidney grille is finished in gloss black, and the quad exhaust tips wear a matte black treatment. Four paint colors—Sapphire Black, M Portimao Blue, M Brooklyn Grey, and an Individual Velvet Blue—are on the menu, each contrasted by dark Shadowline LED headlights.
Cabin tech and materials
Open the frameless doors and you’re greeted by heated carbon bucket seats trimmed in Merino leather, complete with an illuminated “CS” logo and harness pass-throughs. More CFRP appears on the center console, instrument-panel trim, and door panels, the latter now featuring backlit “CS” graphics.
The curved dual-screen cockpit (12.3-inch cluster, 14.9-inch infotainment) runs BMW Operating System 8.5. Climate controls join the growing list of on-screen functions, though physical steering-wheel paddles and the red-stitched M buttons deliver tactile familiarity. Standard kit includes a Harman Kardon surround system, two-zone climate control, comfort access, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, HUD with track mode, and a full suite of driver assists. Heated steering and carbon-ceramic brakes remain optional.
How it differs from the 2026 BMW M2 Racing we drove
We recently sampled the 2026 BMW M2 Racing customer track car, which uses a 2.0-liter turbo four making 313 hp and a welded-in roll cage. That car is FIA-ready but street-illegal; the M2 CS reverses the formula. It keeps air bags, creature comforts, and a six-cylinder soundtrack while delivering nearly 70 percent more power than its race-bred sibling. In short, the CS offers track sensibilities for commuters, whereas the M2 Racing is unapologetically purpose-built.
Pricing, availability, and the fine print
German MSRP starts at €115,000—around $125,000 at current exchange rates, before destination and gas-guzzler fees. U.S. allocations haven’t been published, but BMW says the biggest markets will be America, Germany, and China, with production beginning in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, late summer 2025. Expect total build numbers to stay low, following the playbook of the 2019 M2 CS.
The figure edges perilously close to an M4 Competition xDrive and hovers in Porsche 911 Carrera territory. Traditionalists may also lament the absent manual gearbox. Still, the CS formula—small footprint, outsized power, and a lighter, more focused chassis—remains enticing for buyers seeking a street-legal car that doesn’t wilt on track-day hot laps.
Final takeoff on the compact M flagship
The 2026 BMW M2 CS pushes the G87 platform to new extremes, proving there’s still room for evolution within BMW’s smallest M coupe. Whether its blend of carbon fiber, 530 hp, and big-ticket pricing hits the sweet spot will depend on how buyers weigh exclusivity against the lure of larger, similarly priced M cars. One thing is certain: BMW has given the most hardcore M2 yet enough hardware to keep weekend warriors busy for many sessions to come.
-Ed
2026 BMW M2 CS
