The BMW M2 CS sets a new record of 7:25.5 minutes on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife.
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by BMW’s smallest M car just punched way above its weight. On 11 April 2025, BMW M development driver Jörg Weidinger hustled the new BMW M2 CS around the 20.823-kilometre Nordschleife in 7:25.5—smashing the compact-class record and by 8 seconds and a 13-second improvement over his own 2023 lap in the standard M2.
“Performance, tech, emotion—wrapped in one compact package,” said BMW M CEO Franciscus van Meel after the run.
Having driven both the M3 and M4 CS, we know the new M2 CS will be quick. But that margin of improvement is shocking. How did BMW do it? Here’s a quick look:
| Key Spec | M2 CS Upgrade | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | S58 3.0-L inline-six, 530 hp / 650 Nm | +39 hp vs. base car; keeps the straight-six symphony alive |
| Weight Loss | ≈ 30 kg thanks to CFRP roof, hood, splitter & cabin trim | Every kilo saved shaves seconds in the Karussell |
| Chassis | Model-specific engine mounts, adaptive M suspension, forged wheels | More lateral grip; quicker transient response |
| Transmission | 8-speed M Steptronic w/ Drivelogic paddles | Launch control that actually claws at Pflanzgarten |
Our Take
In an era sprinting toward electrification, the M2 CS proves there’s still room—and customer appetite—for an analogue-leaning, rear-drive firecracker. Its 7:25.5 isn’t just a lap time; it’s a love letter to hair-raising steering feel, a snarling straight-six, and the thesis that a great M car is often the smallest one you can buy.
