M2 CS Returns: Sharper, Lighter, Faster… and Automatic-Only

BMW’s turned the wick all the way up with the new 2026 M2 CS—and then trimmed the fat. Output climbs to a searing 523 horsepower, curb weight drops by nearly 100 pounds, and 0–60 gets shaved down to 3.7 seconds, en route to a 188 mph top speed. It’s sharper, leaner, and faster than ever. Starting at $98,600 plus destination, this is BMW’s compact M weapon turned full send.

Before we go further, let’s address the elephant in the paddock: the manual is gone.

Yes, this new CS is automatic-only. The sweet 6-speed that made the last M2 CS such a raw and engaging drive? Left behind. In its place is the 8-speed M Steptronic with Drivelogic—quick, capable, and efficient, but a crucial piece of driver involvement has been sacrificed at the altar of performance.

But here’s what you get instead.

523 horsepower, up from 473 in the standard M2 and matching the output of the M3 CS and M4 CS. Torque rises to 479 lb-ft, delivered over a wide, flat plateau from 2,700 to 5,620 rpm. It’s still the S58 inline-6, but this tune gives it an extra 50 horses over the base car and just 1 lb-ft shy of its bigger CS siblings. Zero to 60 mph drops to 3.7 seconds—quicker than the standard auto M2 by two-tenths—and it charges all the way to an electronically limited 188 mph with the standard M Driver’s Package.

The Weight Game

This CS goes on a bit of a diet too, trimming 97 pounds versus the standard M2 Steptronic. A carbon roof, carbon rear diffuser, CFRP trunk with integrated spoiler, forged wheels, and a stripped-back cabin all contribute to the cut. It’s not quite featherweight, but in this age of tech-laden performance cars, it’s a meaningful reduction. The curb weight now lands around 3,680 pounds—about 150–200 pounds lighter than an M4 CS, depending on spec.

Chassis Tweaks That Matter

Where the M2 CS really starts to carve its own line is in its chassis setup. BMW M has recalibrated the Adaptive M Suspension with unique spring and damper rates, stiffened the engine mounts for crisper response, and tweaked the stability control logic for more playful (but still predictable) dynamics. Ride height is 0.2 inches lower than stock, and it gets the usual CS extras: retuned steering, M Differential, and the integrated braking system for more linear pedal feel. Optional carbon ceramics are on offer for $8,500—but standard compound brakes are strong enough for most real-world abuse.

Compared to M3 CS / M4 CS?

The biggest difference here is scale and layout. The M3 CS and M4 CS both get xDrive all-wheel drive, allowing them to put down power more effectively in less-than-ideal conditions. The M2 CS stays rear-wheel-drive only, which purists may prefer for balance and feel, but it does limit off-the-line traction. The bigger CS models also carry more luxury, more weight, and more price: both start north of $118,000. The M2 CS slots in at a relatively “affordable” $98,600 (plus $1,175 destination), making it the lightest, smallest, and most analog-feeling member of the CS family—even without a manual.

Performance-wise, it’s 0.1 to 0.2 seconds behind the M3 CS and M4 CS in the sprint to 60, and it lacks the xDrive confidence. But in return, you get something with a more tossable character, a smaller footprint, and arguably a more focused feel—especially if you’re tracking it.

Inside the Cockpit

Step inside and the race-ready vibe continues. Carbon bucket seats (heated, with removable headrests for helmet clearance), Alcantara trim, red CS accents, and a minimalist carbon center console all reinforce the idea that this is a driver’s car. You still get creature comforts: Harman Kardon audio, iDrive 8.5, head-up display, and all the latest semi-autonomous safety nannies. But the emphasis is on the drive, not the digits.

Our Early Take

The 2026 BMW M2 CS is a real-deal driver’s car, even if it’s taken a philosophical turn away from the row-your-own purity of its predecessor. It’s faster, more agile, and arguably more capable—but at the cost of one of the last manual transmissions in the M catalog. Compared to the M3 CS and M4 CS, it’s lighter, purer, and more affordable, while offering 95% of the performance and (seemingly) 110% of the attitude.

If the G87 M2 is the modern-day 2002 Turbo, the M2 CS is its homologation special—just don’t expect to shift your own gears this time.

BMW M2 CS Photo Gallary

BMW M2 CS Specifications