The 2026 BMW M2 CS is a 523-HP Ducktailed Little Monster
The CS treatment adds 50 horsepower to and drops 100 pounds from M's smallest car.
After a weekend tease, BMW M on Tuesday gave us the proper details on the 2026 BMW M2 CS. The latest member of the CS family sticks to the script, adding power and dropping weight for what should be an even sharper driving experience.
The headline figure is 523 horsepower, 50 ponies up from the "regular" M2 and on par with the M4 Competition xDrive. Unlike its big brother however, the M2 is sticking to rear-drive only. Torque now peaks at 479 pound-feet, from 2,700 to 5,620 rpm, while the redline stays at a high-for-a-turbo-engine 7,200 rpm. The M2 CS also benefits from unique engine mounts. All that power is funnelled through the usual eight-speed automatic transmission as well; there's no six-speed manual option for the CS. Boo, hiss, etc etc.
To drop weight, the M2 CS comes standard with the carbon roof as standard, plus more carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) pieces outside and in, including the new ducktail trunk lid and unique CS rear diffuser. Along with standard forged alloy wheels, the savings over a standard M2 with the auto 'box is 97 pounds (44 kilograms). We're still talking 3,770 pounds (1,710 kg), mind you.
All this adds up to a BMW-quoted dash to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.8 seconds, 0.2 quicker than the base M2. The top speed with the (standard) M Driver's Package is 188 mph (302 km/h).
There are other changes under the skin as well. M has trimmed the CS' ride height by 0.2 inches (5 millimeters), and fitted model-specific springs and dampers. The adaptive suspension also has unique tuning, along with the steering and braking. Compound brakes are standard; full carbon ceramic items are available as one of the few (pricey) options. The stoppers hide behind pretty bronze wheels, staggered like all M2s at 19 inches up front and 20s out back.
The interior gets the standard CS treatment: oodles of Alcantara and eponymous badging, with aggressive (and heated) bucket seats. BMW makes sure to note the headrests are removable for helmet clearance should owners want to seriously track their hardcore M2. Similarly, multi-point harnesses are an option. The regular 2 Series' available light-up door panels take on a very different look here, with light-up carbon "CS" panels.
We haven't been the biggest fans of the current M2, finding it lacks the fizz and compact feel of the last generation. BMW M has a great track record with CS models however, so we have high hopes for this one—especially as the last of the pure-ICE M cars.
The M2 CS will be available in three standard colors—black, gray, and Portimao Blue—with the option of BMW Individual Velvet Blue for $3,600 ($4,000 CAD). Like other CS models, production will be limited when it begins at the San Luis Potosà plant this August. Pricing will begin at $99,775 ($127,555 CAD) including destination.
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Kyle began his automotive obsession before he even started school, courtesy of a remote control Porsche and various LEGO sets. He later studied advertising and graphic design at Humber College, which led him to writing about cars (both real and digital). He is now a proud member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), where he was the Journalist of the Year runner-up for 2021.
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I like everything about this car except it is just kind of ugly looking, mainly the front grill area. Power to them though for building a small sporty manual transmission car in 2025.