Latest news with #BMWGroup
The Drive
17 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Drive
BMW Has Too Much on Its Plate to Worry About a Supercar Right Now
The latest car news, reviews, and features. Just one month ago, a BMW executive kept the flame of hope for a new halo supercar alive, telling the world that we could trust that the company was working in the background to realize such a car—we'd just have to wait for 'the right time.' It was one of those bare-minimum corporate responses in a way, because the company makes no commitments and keeps fans relatively satisfied by simply saying that it wants the same thing they do. Unfortunately, it also left the door open for someone like M CEO Frank van Meel to come in and burst some bubbles, which is what happened last weekend at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, where the new Concept Speedtop debuted. 'We don't want to lose focus on our high-performance cars because we do a super sports car,' van Meel was quoted during a panel organized by BMW Blog . 'I must be honest; we are always dreaming about it. And maybe some day we find the right window of opportunity where we have the capacity to work on a car like that. And also, the company, BMW Group, says: 'Ok, go for it.' We never give up, I can promise you that, but actually, it's not here yet.' These comments are interesting because, on the face of it, van Meel is kind of just reiterating M's known position on the matter, which is that he'd love to introduce a true, standalone supercar one day. But the point about losing 'focus' on existing high-performance models, and finding the 'right window of opportunity,' arguably puts that dream further out of reach. The limited-production BMW Concept Skytop and Speedtop. BMW BMW has its hands full right now, trying to reinvent its entire lineup with a new design ethos and the versatility to build new cars with every degree of electrification. And M, specifically, has the arduous task of keeping enthusiasts interested in battery-electric takes on their favorite models, like the M3. Consider the backlash Mercedes-AMG received when it started putting four-cylinders in cars that used to have V8s. The electric M3 probably won't be quite as surprising a turn—BMW has been teasing it for quite a while now, slowly peeling back the curtain shrouding the car's development—but it's still going to face adversity, regardless of whether it's accompanied by a version with an internal-combustion engine. Factor in the same headwinds in China that every once-beloved German luxury marque is managing in that region, leading to a 37% dive in net profit over last year and, you know, everything happening with tariffs on this side of the world, and one thing appears to be clear: Now is definitely not the 'window of opportunity' van Meel has been waiting for. These are all problems BMW will have to address before that eventual halo supercar begins to make the transition from dream to reality. And if we're talking about M's responsibilities alone, it's got to concentrate on establishing itself in the post-Neue Klasse era, with the diversity of powertrains it's likely to offer. That very well should be the priority, as much as I'd love to see a modern take on the M1. So, the next big standalone M car sounds like it's a ways off. If it's any consolation to the purists out there, I'd at least expect that it won't be anything like the XM. That proved an expensive mistake you just can't see a company as big and old as BMW making more than once. Got tips? Send 'em to tips@
ArabGT
3 days ago
- Automotive
- ArabGT
All You Need to Know About the 2026 BMW M2 CS
2026 BMW M2 CS ; On May 25, 2025, BMW pulled the wraps off the highly anticipated CS variant of its high-performance compact coupe, the 2026 M2. Embodying the ethos of 'Absolute Power and Extreme Lightness,' this model claims the title of the most compact yet ferociously capable M car in BMW's modern arsenal. Today, we dive deep into its official mechanical credentials. Enhanced Power from a Proven Engine At the core of the 2026 BMW M2 CS lies a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six engine, now tuned to churn out an impressive 523 horsepower and 649 Nm of torque. That's a 50 hp and 49 Nm bump over the standard automatic M2 we previously tested at ArabGT. These new figures set a new benchmark for rear-wheel-drive performance under the BMW M Power badge. Engineers didn't just amplify performance—they also shaved 97 pounds off the curb weight, bringing the M2 CS down to 1,710 kilograms. This was made possible through strategic use of carbon fiber components including body panels, a ducktail-style trunk lid, lightweight forged wheels, and standard-issue carbon racing seats. Precision-Tuned for Performance The 2026 BMW M2 CS doesn't just pack more muscle—it's also smarter on its feet. The chassis has been meticulously re-engineered: stiffer springs, recalibrated adaptive dampers, and finely tuned systems for the electronic differential, ABS, and stability control ensure flawless power delivery and rear-wheel grip, even under intense pressure. BMW claims the M2 CS rockets from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 3.7 seconds, with top speed electronically capped at 188 mph (302 km/h). These figures place it at the summit of rear-wheel-drive performance in the M lineup. Production Timeline and Launch Schedule Production of the M2 CS is set to commence in August 2025 at BMW's San Luis Potosí plant in Mexico. Customer deliveries are slated for fall 2025, God willing. While official pricing has yet to be confirmed, early estimates suggest a global sticker price around $100,000 (SAR 375,000). That positions it well above the base 2026 M2, which starts at $69,375 (SAR 260,156). 2026 BMW M2 CS Gallery: The 2026 BMW M2 CS delivers a visceral driving experience by combining electrifying power with the weight-saving magic of carbon fiber. For enthusiasts craving a machine that fuses racetrack DNA with daily drivability, this latest CS model stands as the ultimate manifestation of M performance.
Car and Driver
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
View Interior Photos of the 2026 BMW M2 CS
Read the Full Story|See Exterior Photos When BMW gives a model the CS treatment (Competition Sport for those not in the know), it typically means they're the lightest and mightiest version. That's the case for the new 2026 BMW M2 CS, which has a racy interior too.
Car and Driver
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
2026 BMW M2 CS Is the Most Powerful Rear-Drive M Car You Can Buy
The 2026 BMW M2 CS features a 523-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter straight-six, making it the mightiest rear-wheel-drive M car. The CS is also lighter than the M2 Competition, and it's only offered with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The new M2 CS will start at $99,775 when it goes on sale sometime later this year. Let's get your first question out of the way: No, there is no manual version of the new 2026 BMW M2 CS. All versions of the most performance-oriented M2 will come with an eight-speed automatic. This decision isn't surprising since the CS (short for Competition Sport) is the ultimate M2, the one designed to produce the best acceleration and lap times. But when M2 customers are saving the manuals—half of all M2s sold in the United States have a six-speed manual—the question makes sense. The last M2 CS offered a manual and was a rare and wonderful little beast of a car. A More Muscular M2 There's better news under the hood where the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six now makes 523 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. That's 50 more ponies and 36 more pound-feet than the standard M2, and it's 79 hp more than the previous-generation M2 CS. The engine is a version of the M3 Competition xDrive's, but it is 20 horses shy of the 543-hp screamer in the M3 CS. BMW resisted adding all-wheel drive, making the M2 CS the most powerful rear-drive M car you can buy. View Exterior Photos BMW Like its predecessor, the CS undergoes a weight-loss diet that includes a carbon-fiber roof, trunk lid, mirror caps, and the rear diffuser. We're told the ducktail rear spoiler that flips up coquettishly is functional besides looking good. Up front, the styling doesn't change, but the air passages are optimized to flow more air into the radiators. Inside, there are M carbon racing-style seats and various interior trim bits. Coupled with the standard forged aluminum wheels, BMW claims the CS comes in at 3770 pounds, a near 100-pound reduction. But the last M2 (a manual) weighed 3745 pounds on our scales, less than BMW's 3814-pound claim for that same car. So, BMW's number for the new M2 CS is likely conservative. For those looking to shed more weight, carbon-ceramic brakes are an $8500 option. View Interior Photos BMW Surprisingly, we haven't tested the current M2 with an automatic, so a direct comparison of the specifications is a little complicated. In our hands, the manual-equipped M2 hit 60 in 3.9 seconds. BMW claims a believable 3.7 seconds for the new CS, which is 0.2 second quicker than the company's claim for the 473-hp, automatic M2. A thorough retuning of the suspension has us eagerly anticipating our first chance to drive the new M2 CS. Its predecessor had a wonderfully direct and willing feel that made approaching its cornering limits a joy. The CS now sits 0.2 inch lower thanks to new springs. The adaptive dampers are also unique to the CS and have their own programming. Stability control and M Dynamic mode have been tweaked as well to let drivers have a little more leeway before coming to the rescue. BMW View Exterior Photos BMW A Nearly Six-Figure M2 Slated to go on sale before the end of the year, the 2026 BMW M2 CS will start at $99,775, which amounts to $33,100 more than the regular 2025 M2's base price. All M2s, including the CS, are made in BMW's Mexican plant, so some of the CS's lofty price is likely a reflection of the current tariffs in the United States. If the tariff situation continues, we'd expect the M2 to cost more next year, shrinking the price gap between the standard car and the CS, but it's too early to say for sure. And to the M2 buyers who own the six-speed, thank you for saving the manuals. Tony Quiroga Editor-in-Chief Tony Quiroga is a 20-year-veteran Car and Driver editor, writer, and car reviewer and the 19th editor-in-chief for the magazine since its founding in 1955. He has subscribed to Car and Driver since age six. "Growing up, I read every issue of Car and Driver cover to cover, sometimes three or more times. It's the place I wanted to work since I could read," Quiroga says. He moved from Automobile Magazine to an associate editor position at Car and Driver in 2004. Over the years, he has held nearly every editorial position in print and digital, edited several special issues, and also helped produce C/D's early YouTube efforts. He is also the longest-tenured test driver for Lightning Lap, having lapped Virginia International Raceway's Grand Course more than 2000 times over 12 years. Read full bio
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
BMW Speedtop revealed as striking £430,000 shooting brake
Shark-nose front end combines with raked roofline and ducktail rear to create low-slung GT BMW has morphed the M8 Competition into a two-seat shooting brake for a special limited-run concept called Speedtop. Unveiled at the Villa d'Este concours, the wagon has been given a complete design overhaul compared with the car on which it is based, and it is set to be built in a small batch 'for collectors and enthusiasts'. Each example is expected to cost as much as £430,000. The Speedtop is closely related to the Skytop that was unveiled at the same event last year. BMW is positioning the new concept as a modern interpretation of the traditional shooting brake – a format it has revisited several times over the years, with production cars such as the Z3 M Coupé and Z4 Coupé, as well as 2023's Z4-based Touring Coupé concept. 'The BMW Concept Speedtop forms an intentional counterpoint to our current [production] models,' said BMW Group design chief Adrian van Hooydonk. Speaking to Autocar at the unveiling, van Hooydonk said that ultra-low-volume specials play an important role as halo projects: "At BMW, I think we are in the business of creating dream cars and fulfilling those dreams every now and then. We've been doing so many show cars for so many years, also here at Villa D'Este for a few years, we've been able, every once in a while, to make these dreams come true. "We did this with the 3.0 CSL, with Skytop last year. Now with Speedtop, the chances are pretty good that we will do it again." He added that it's important to consider the future of the classic car market: "It's really to continue the tradition of the Concorso, because imagine this event in 50 years from now, what cars will be here on the lawn? It will not be a 3 Series, because we sell rather a lot of them." Production numbers, although not confirmed, are expected to match the Skytop's 50-unit run. Prototypes of that car – which is already sold out – have been spotted testing at the Nürburgring in Germany. BMW has told Autocar that both it and the upcoming Speedtop will be engineered to the same standards as its regular production models. ]]>
