After showing, but not revealing any specifics on the 2026 M2 CS last week, BMW finally released all the juicy details on its hottest baby M Car to date. The story? More power, less weight, two driven wheels, and an MSRP of nearly $100,000.
The typical formula for CS cars involves turning up the turbo boost, stripping weight, and stiffening the chassis. For the M2 CS, BMW bumped the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six’s output to 523 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. That’s 50 more hp over the standard, automatic-transmission M2, and an additional 36 lb-ft.
As with the other CS models, BMW’s eight-speed automatic transmission comes standard. Sorry, no manual. But unlike the M3, M4, and M5 CS models, this is a pure rear-wheel drive affair.
BMW claims a 97-pound weight savings for the M2 CS compared to the regular automatic model. That’s thanks mainly to carbon-fiber body panels—including that excellent duck-tail trunk lid—standard forged wheels, and standard carbon-back bucket seats.
The M2 CS has a curb weight of 3,770 pounds, which is lighter even than the regular 3,814-pound manual M2. Not exactly light, but BMW M is very good at making cars feel lighter than they actually are, and this is the lightest M car out today by a decent margin. Plus, you can make it lighter still with the optional $8,500 carbon-ceramic brakes.
Photo by: BMW
Photo by: BMW
To accommodate the higher power and lower weight, BMW M increased spring stiffness and retuned the adaptive dampers, electric locking differential, ABS, and traction/stability control systems. Which seems like a good thing when you’ve got all that power and torque going to the rear wheels only.
BMW says the M2 CS hits 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and runs up to a top speed of 188 miles per hour. Big numbers, as is the price, $99,775. While BMW hasn’t yet released pricing for the 2026 M2, the 2025 M2 starts at $69,375, so the CS is basically a $30,000 upgrade. On the flip side, it’s about $25,000 less than the 2025 M4 CS, which carries a $124,675 MSRP.
Production is set to begin at BMW’s San Luis Potosí, Mexico plant this August, with deliveries following shortly thereafter.
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Source: BMW
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