Say hello to the last purebred.
BMW has officially lifted the veil on its latest ballistic missile: the new M2 CS, a 523bhp, track-focused tour de force that might just be the last of its kind. Priced from £86,800, it’s not only the most powerful version of the M2 to date, but potentially the final hurrah for the pure-combustion junior M car.
And what a send-off it is.
M Division’s Baby Grows Up
Six years after the F87-based M2 CS took the enthusiast world by storm, the new G87 generation gets its own CS treatment—only this time, BMW hasn’t held back. Power surges from the standard M2’s 473 bhp to a staggering 523 bhp, thanks to the same 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six found in the M3 and M4. That figure doesn’t just edge out rivals—it wallops them. The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS, for comparison, puts out 493bhp.
Torque? A massive 479lb ft, now funnelled exclusively through an eight-speed automatic. Why no manual? BMW claims the gearbox can’t handle the twist, and besides, customer demand is “dwindling.” A sad note for the #SaveTheManuals crowd, but a sign of the times nonetheless.
Lightweight Weaponry
As expected from anything bearing the CS badge, weight reduction was a top priority. Thanks to the liberal use of carbon-fibre roof, bonnet, boot lid, centre console, and even the transmission tunnel, the CS shaves 30kg off the standard M2, tipping the scales at 1700kg.
It’s not featherweight by any means, but the results speak for themselves: 0-62mph in just 3.8 seconds. That’s firmly in supercar territory.
Underneath, the CS benefits from stiffer engine mounts, reworked suspension, and bespoke spring and damper tuning, all aimed at delivering sharper responses on both road and track. The brakes, steering, and active differential have all been upgraded too, ensuring that the CS can handle every one of those 523 horses with poise.
And for those craving maximum theatre, there's an optional titanium M Performance exhaust that promises “a more aggressive soundscape.” In BMW M speak, that’s code for “your neighbours will hate you.”
Visually Vicious
The M2 CS looks every bit as mean as it drives. The car sits 8mm lower than standard, riding on exclusive forged alloys finished in Golden Bronze—a nod to the M5 CS. The redesigned carbon bootlid features an integrated ducktail spoiler, while a more prominent rear diffuser completes the aggressive rear profile.
Available colours include Black Sapphire, Brooklyn Grey, Portimao Blue, and a new Velvet Blue—a rich, jewel-toned hue exclusive to the CS.
Race Car Inside, Road Car Comfort
Step inside and it’s clear the CS means business. M Carbon bucket seats come as standard, swathed in Alcantara and designed to hug your ribs into submission during hard cornering. The Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel features carbon paddles, while the centre console is hewn from—you guessed it—more carbonfibre.
Still, BMW hasn’t stripped it back to the bones. Creature comforts include three-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, a head-up display, and a premium Harman Kardon sound system. So yes, you can still blast your Spotify playlist while hammering around Silverstone.
The Final Chapter?
BMW has hinted this might be the last M2 CS powered by internal combustion alone. With electrification encroaching on every corner of the market—and EU emissions tightening the noose—this G87-based CS could be a proper swansong for ICE-powered M cars of this size.
Production will be limited, and UK deliveries are expected late summer. In a world that’s rapidly pivoting to plug-in and pedestrian-friendly, the M2 CS is a glorious middle finger to moderation—a car built not to save the planet, but to ignite it.
Verdict:
For £87k, the M2 CS isn’t cheap—but in return, you’re getting a track-born, carbon-wrapped, 523bhp love letter to the dying art of the analogue driver's car.
If this is the last dance, BMW’s going out with a bang.
Race Haus UK
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