BMW Launches Stunning M2 CS Built to Kill on Track

Miami Herald

3 days ago

The current BMW M2 is considered one of the best driver's cars on the planet and one of the best BMW M cars ever created, which is saying something. Now, BMW ratchets up the G87 second-generation M2 with the highly anticipated M2 CS. The first official M2 CS images recently dropped after its debut at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2025, and they show us a more aggressive, track-ready M2 that promises to be even more rewarding than the already thrilling M2.
The CS gets some important aesthetic and functional changes that set it apart from the standard M2. In the past, all CS (Competition Sport) cars looked quite a bit different from stock, and based on these photos, we can see that the M2 CS gets new grille intakes and revisions to the lower bumper intakes. It looks like the vertical slats from the stock M2 are gone, while the rear receives a sizeable ducktail spoiler.
The M2 CS also receives intricate matte bronze wheels, a BMW CS hallmark that's not available on the regular M2, with bold red brake calipers peeking through. The wheels will most likely be shod with grippy Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, but there's also word that the M2 CS could get sport, track, and ultra-track tire choices.
Both the bronze wheels and the brake calipers pop nicely against the model's rather conservative flat grey exterior paint known as Brooklyn Grey, although other paint choices will include Sapphire Black and M Portimao Blue. All three paint colors are currently also available on the 2025 BMW M2. Inside, the M2 CS gets more aggressive sport bucket seats and subtle red CS logos on the door card and center console.
BMW hasn't revealed official output figures yet, but rumors from last year suggested the turbocharged straight-six under the hood could make as much as 518 horsepower, substantially more than the stock M2. Reports also indicate that the M2 CS will remain rear-wheel-drive, setting it apart from its larger, xDrive-equipped siblings. Perhaps the only bad news about the new M2 CS is that it could get flappy paddles only, meaning no manual transmission option.
The CS badge stands for "Competition Sport," a moniker for BMW's specially formulated performance cars that exhibit technically innovative BMW components for enhanced power and handling. In total, there have been seven CS cars, starting with the 2017 BMW M4 F82 CS, but the true father of the CS cars was the 1988 E30 BMW M3 Evolution, a much-coveted collector's car that's tremendously valuable even today. The M2 CS will join this illustrious set, following in the footsteps of the 2020 BMW M2 CS F87 as well as the more recent M3 CS Touring and the M4 CS.
All BMW CS cars get increased engine power, more aggressive suspension, lightweight construction, and enhanced aerodynamics, without compromising driver and passenger comfort. The automaker will supposedly create a CS version of the current M5, too.
BMW M CS cars are some of the best-performers the world has ever seen, and the M2 CS should prove to be a thrilling sports coupe to drive. If the rumors are true that it won't get a proper manual transmission, our hearts will be broken (a little). The 2025 BMW M2 in bone stock form is one of the best driver's cars available today, so to remove some of the engagement seems counterintuitive. That said, the additional power, lighter weight, better suspension, and more aggressive tire set should enhance the experience above the automatic version of the current base M2.
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