The new BMW M2 CS is finally on UK roads — and I’ve been desperate to drive it having wned the original F87 M2 CS, and the standard G87 M2. Both two of the best cars I’ve ever had. So expectations for the new M2 CS were VERY high. But after I saw it in studio, I was underwhelmed. So the drive needs to make up for it.
Underneath, BMW has done what it always does with a CS. The 3.0-litre S58 now produces 530 HP and 650 Nm, the engine mounts are stiffer, the adaptive suspension sits 8 mm lower with CS-specific tuning, and the steering and M differential have all been recalibrated. Carbon fibre is used for the roof, boot lid and centre console, helping bring DIN weight down to 1,700 kg. And crucially, unlike the current M3 and M4 CS, this CS remains purely rear-wheel drive.
That gives the M2 CS almost exactly the same power-to-weight ratio as the M4 CS — but a very different character. On a British B-road it feels frantic, incredibly rigid and almost impossibly well controlled. The engine builds harder towards the redline, the responses feel turned up to maximum, and because all 530 HP still goes to the rear wheels, there’s an edge and sense of danger that reminds me far more of the old M2 CS.
In terms of unique CS bits, there’s the brilliant carbon ducktail, special forged wheels, lower stance and Velvet Blue paint. But then we get to what BMW didn’t change: there’s no unique carbon bonnet like the previous M2 CS or the M3/M4 CS, no dramatic CS front end, no yellow headlights and remarkably little differentiation inside. Then there’s the exhaust — something that, for a limited CS model costing over £92,000, I think BMW should have addressed as standard.
And things get even more interesting when we look at the alternatives. There’s the previous F87 M2 CS, complete with a manual gearbox, used M4 CS examples at similar money, the newly announced M2 xDrive — and potentially whatever BMW M decides to do with the M2 CS formula next.
We also take a look at BMW M Performance’s wild new Track Pack, which goes much further than the standard CS visually and mechanically, with an adjustable swan-neck rear wing, additional aero and a four-way adjustable motorsport-derived coilover setup.
In this video:
– New BMW M2 CS UK walkaround– Velvet Blue exterior and CS design changes– 530 HP S58 engine and 650 Nm– M2 CS vs standard G87 M2– M2 CS vs original F87 M2 CS– M2 CS vs M4 CS– Weight saving and power-to-weight comparison– Carbon fibre parts and CS-specific chassis changes– M2 CS Interior– M2 CS Exhaust sound– New M Performance Track Kit– Full driving review– Launch control and acceleration– Manual shifting and gearbox response– Final verdict: brilliant CS or a missed opportunity?
There’s absolutely no question that dynamically this feels like a proper BMW M CS. The speed, body control and precision put it firmly in the same family as the M3 and M4 CS — and its rear-wheel-drive layout arguably makes it purer still.
But special cars also need to feel special beyond the way they drive. And when BMW has already shown us what it can do with previous CS models, some of the omissions here are difficult to ignore. So, is this the ultimate version of the G87 M2… or has BMW left too much on the table?
