With the forthcoming 2026 M2 CS, BMW won’t be reinventing the wheel—but it will be honing an already focused M car. The CS will be the G87 distilled: lighter, faster, sharper. A more focused evolution of the M2, aimed squarely at drivers who value precision over polish. And yet, for many of us, it’s a non-starter—thanks to one glaring omission.

We’ve gathered all we know and all that’s been leaked about the forthcoming M2 CS to give you the best, most concise look yet at BMW’s latest M car.

The Numbers, Rewritten

At its core, the M2 CS carries the same S58 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six—but here it’s retuned to 525 horsepower. That’s 65 more than the base M2, pushing the CS to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds. Top speed climbs to 188 mph, making this the fastest 2 Series ever put on the road.

BMW has opted for an automatic-only configuration in the new M2 CS, utilizing the same 8-speed ZF transmission found across the current M lineup. While this decision may disappoint manual die-hards, it underscores the CS’s mission: delivering repeatable performance, precision, and control—lap after lap. Unlike the previous F87 M2 CS, which leaned into old-school engagement with a manual option, this G87 generation takes a more focused, almost perfectionist approach. Rear-wheel drive keeps the purist spirit alive, but the automatic transmission signals a shift toward optimized execution over analog charm.

Chassis Revisions and Reduced Weight

The CS is 30 kilograms lighter than the standard G87 M2, largely thanks to extensive use of carbon fiber—roof, seats, and likely additional trim inside and out. Suspension is lowered by 8mm, bringing with it a lower center of gravity and more immediate turn-in.

It sits on wheels borrowed from the M4 CS and CSL—wider, lighter, and more aggressive both visually and dynamically.

And no, it’s not all-wheel drive. Despite speculation, the M2 CS remains resolutely rear-wheel-drive—a deliberate choice that ensures the chassis remains communicative and the limits, however high, are still accessible.

Design and Trim: Minimalist, but Purposeful

Visually, we hear that the M2 CS might be only offered in Brooklyn Grey, Sapphire Black, or BMW Individual paints. The cabin, stripped of gimmicks, will come in full leather only—either black or a two-tone black/red. Standard kit includes M Carbon bucket seats and an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel.

As with all CS models, it isn’t about luxury. It’s about material honesty and functionality—everything you need, nothing you don’t.

Limited Run, But Not Last Word

Production begins in August 2025 and will run for just one year. That makes this a short-run special with clear intent: to close this chapter of the M2 story with authority.

But this won’t be the last special M2 of this generation. We hear that BMW is planning another G87 variant perhaps as soon as late next year. Whether that model will be a more extreme CSL variant or perhaps a final nod to the manual remains to be seen.

The 2025 M2 CS isn’t for everyone—and that’s precisely the point. It’s not the car that sells in volume, it’s the one that ends up on posters. In the canon of small M cars, this new CS won’t sit next to the original 1M or F87 M2 in terms of purity or analogue qualities. But there’s no doubt it will be the fastest M2 ever.