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Car and Driver
6 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
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
2026 BMW M2 Review, Pricing, and Specs
Overview Few modern cars channel their heritage as linearly as the 2026 BMW M2. Though it packs all the tech and conveniences required of a modern vehicle, at its heart remains a hypnotic powertrain comprised of a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six paired with your choice of an eight-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. Combined with an agile rear-wheel-drive chassis, the M2 Coupe delivers the type of involving and visceral driving experience that's become increasingly uncommon. As good as the M2 is, BMW has upped the ante for 2026 with the introduction of an M2 CS (Competition Sport) model that shaves off nearly 100 pounds of weight and ramps the standard car's 473 ponies up to 523. What's New for 2026? BMW has added an M2 CS model to the lineup. Lighter and more powerful than the already potent M2, it also features several unique interior and exterior details, including a carbon fiber diffuser and multiple CS logos throughout. Pricing and Which One to Buy The price of the 2026 BMW M2 is expected to start around $67,000 and go up to $99,775 depending on the trim and options. M2 $67,000 (est) M2 CS $99,775 0 $25k $50k $75k $100k $125k $150k Previously, choosing the M2 with standard six-speed manual and the M Driver's Package was a simple decision. But with the M2 CS in the picture for 2026, buyers will need to assess their individual situation. If performance and track days are the primary goal, the M2 CS is the best choice. But if your plans are like ours, with plenty of winding backroads with long sweepers and the occasional commute mixed in, we'd stick with the base M2 and row-your-own manual. It's no slouch in the performance department itself, and it starts at more than $30k less. Engine, Transmission, and Performance The 2025 M2 is pure Bavarian muscle. The base M2 is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six rated for 473 horsepower; torque remains at 406 pound-feet for the manual car, but the automatic gets a little muscle love with 443 pound-feet of torque. It's a nice bonus, but we feel shifting for yourself is a worthy tradeoff for the reduction in low-end torque. The new M2 CS uses the same basic engine but cranks up the output to 523 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, all funneled to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Of course, it wouldn't be an M car without a specially tuned suspension and various other chassis enhancements that help it to be the quickest version of the 2-series to circle a race circuit. The M2 CS has specific damper and spring rates and a 0.2-inch lower ride height. While we haven't driven the CS yet, we found the standard M2 to be nothing short of smile-inducing, crisply snapping into turns with the chassis remaining controlled even over slight bumps. 0–60-MPH Times During testing of a 2023 M2 with the automatic transmission, C/D's test driver hit 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and cleared the quarter in 11.7 seconds. The M2 with a manual transmission yielded a 3.9-second 0-60 time and a 12.2-second quarter-mile with a trap speed of 118 mph. BMW is claiming a 3.7-second 0-60 run for the new 2026 M2 CS, but given our previous experience, we expect it to be a few tenths quicker. We'll update this space with the latest performance results as soon as we test the 2026 M2 and M2 CS models. View Exterior Photos BMW Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG The EPA hasn't released any fuel economy information for the 2026 M2 yet, but the 2025 model earned ratings of 16 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, with either manual or automatic transmission. The 2024 M2 with the manual returned 26 mpg on our 75-mph highway fuel economy test route, beating its estimate by 2 mpg. For more information about the M2's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website. Interior, Comfort, and Cargo Inside, the M2 features the same layout as the regular 2-series coupe. Passenger space is plentiful for front-seat riders, but those relegated to the rear may be wishing you had sprung for the larger 3-series sedan. There's a flat-bottomed wheel with a fresh tri-spoke design, and a new upholstery combo—black with red stitching—is on offer. Opt for the Carbon Fiber package and a layer of the stuff is draped on multiple surfaces of the M2's cabin and the sport seats are swapped out for more aggressive body-hugging buckets said to save 24 pounds. The weight-saving Carbon seats in the Carbon Fiber package are also available as a stand-alone option, and the M2 CS gets standard black leather seat upholstery, several "CS" callouts across the interior, and removable headrests to better accommodate helmets. View Interior Photos BMW Infotainment and Connectivity A digital monolith of a screen sweeping across the dash informs the driver of every bit of data they could possibly need (and probably a few things they don't). A 12.3-inch display behind the steering wheel serves as a reconfigurable gauge cluster and seamlessly transitions to a larger 14.9-inch touchscreen that provides access to BMW's 8.5 proprietary operating system, the latest version of BMW's iDrive infotainment system software. The update also moves all climate control functions, including seat heating and–if specified–steering wheel heating to the touchscreen, but they can also be operated via voice command. Navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard; a head-up display and 5G connectivity are both optional. Safety and Driver-Assistance Features All M2s come with basic driver-assistance features such as automated emergency braking and adaptive cruise control but if you want more advanced tech, such as a stop-and-go feature for the cruise control, you'll have to pay extra—and opt for the automatic transmission. For more information about the M2's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include: Standard automated emergency braking Standard lane-departure warning Standard adaptive cruise control Warranty and Maintenance Coverage Compared with its direct competitors, BMW has equal or better warranty coverage. Specifically, it has an unrivaled complimentary scheduled maintenance program. Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles Complimentary maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 miles Specifications Specifications 2023 BMW M2 Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 2-door coupe PRICE Base/As Tested: $63,195/$75,345 Options: Carbon package (carbon-fiber trim, roof, and bucket seats, M Driver's package), $9900; Live Cockpit Pro, $1100; adaptive LED headlights, $650; Shadowline package, $300; BMW M 50 Years emblems, $200 ENGINE twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve inline-6, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection Displacement: 183 in3, 2993 cm3 Power: 453 hp @ 6250 rpm Torque: 406 lb-ft @ 2650 rpm TRANSMISSION 6-speed manual CHASSIS Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink Brakes, F/R: 15.0-in vented, cross-drilled disc/14.6-in vented, cross-drilled, disc Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S F: 275/35ZR-19 (100Y) ★ R: 285/30ZR-20 (99Y) ★ DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 108.1 in Length: 180.3 in Width: 74.3 in Height: 55.2 in Passenger Volume, F/M/R: 52/33 ft3 Trunk Volume: 14 ft3 Curb Weight: 3745 lb C/D TEST RESULTS 30 mph: 1.5 sec 60 mph: 3.9 sec 100 mph: 8.7 sec 1/4-Mile: 12.2 sec @ 118 mph 130 mph: 14.6 sec 150 mph: 21.5 sec Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec. Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 4.6 sec Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 7.3 sec Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 6.2 sec Top Speed (mfr's claim): 177 mph Braking, 70–0 mph: 154 ft Braking, 100–0 mph: 302 ft Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 1.03 g C/D FUEL ECONOMY Observed: 17 mpg 75-mph Highway Driving: 26 mpg 75-mph Highway Range: 350 mi EPA FUEL ECONOMY Combined/City/Highway: 19/16/24 mpg C/D TESTING EXPLAINED More Features and Specs
The Independent
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
The new Skoda is as fast as a Lamborghini
Skoda has given its Enyaq family SUV a performance boost with two new performance vRS models. The Skoda Enyaq vRS and Enyaq Coupe vRS get a power and all-wheel drive upgrade making them the quickest Skodas ever, tying with the slightly smaller Elroq vRS as the fastest-accelerating production Skodas ever. The two Enyaq vRS models claim the same 0-62mph sprint time of 5.4 seconds, the exact time recorded by the original Lamborghini Countach LP400 supercar in the 1970s. Under the suitably beefed-up exterior of the Skoda Enyaq vRS is an 84kWh battery powering two electric motors – one on the front and one on the rear axle. The maximum claimed range for both hot Enyaqs is 340 miles. It's not only the performance of the vRS models that's fast – the Enyaq vRS will charge at speeds up to 185kW, meaning a 10 to 80 per cent charge time of 26 minutes. Chassis tweaks should mean the Skoda Enyaq vRS is quick through the corners, too. The car sits on a sport chassis with the front axle lowered by 15mm and the rear by 10mm. The adaptive dampers have a more dynamic setup than on the previous Enyaq vRS models, with more powerful brakes too. Both cars come with bespoke 21in alloy wheels fitted with sports tyres. Although driver and passengers can enjoy near silence inside the Enyaq, there are now two external sounds – Sport and Futuristic – that are linked to different driver settings. Both Enyaq vRS models are being positioned as range-toppers, with LED matrix-beam headlights and LED taillights with scrolling indicators. The powered sports seats inside also feature a massage function. Outside, the recently revised Enyaq gets a high-gloss black 'tech deck' grille that hides many of the advanced safety sensors. The Tech Deck features illumination to make it stand out even more. As with other vRS models, there's lots of black detailing around the exterior, including the window trim, roof rails, door mirror caps, and Skoda lettering on the bonnet and boot. There are reflective strips on the front and rear bumpers, rear privacy glass and plenty of vRS badges dotted around. The vRS badges also appear inside where two different design themes are available: vRS Suite and vRS Lounge. Both offer a sporty take on the existing Enyaq interior, with Lounge upping the level of luxury a bit with microsuede and fake leather on the seats. Both cars get stitching around the cabin in trademark vRS green. Bright Hyper Green paint on the outside is also an option. Both vRS models also get a 13in infotainment system and head-up display with augmented reality as standard, plus a 12-speaker Canton audio system. And there are the usual, practical 'simply clever' features around the car, plus a full array of advanced driver and safety systems as you'd expect on a range-topping car. You might also expect a range-topping price, and you wouldn't be disappointed. The Enyaq vRS costs £51,660 with the coupe version costing £53,560. A Long Range All-Wheel Drive Tesla Model Y may not have the sporty looks of the Enyaq vRS, but it's even faster with a 0-60mph time of 4.6 seconds, goes further with a range of 364 miles and costs only £330 more at £51,990. Order books for the Enyaq vRS open on 12 June with first deliveries a month or so later.
