--- title: "2026 BMW M2 CS Is 100 Pounds Lighter and Adds 50 HP But Loses the Manual" date: "2025-05-27" modified: "2025-05-27" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/2026-bmw-m2-cs-is-100-pounds-lighter-and-adds-50-hp-but-loses-the-manual" categories: - "BMW News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "BMW" - "M2 CS" - "sports car" --- # 2026 BMW M2 CS Is 100 Pounds Lighter and Adds 50 HP But Loses the Manual ![2026 BMW M2 CS front three quarters in motion]() *BMW* I've long argued that if you want a proper [BMW]() M car, you have to get a special one, like one of its recent string of "CS" cars. The F87-generation BMW M2 didn't feel quite as good as the 1M it replaced until the M2 CS came along. The F90-generation M5 felt big and numb until the [M5 CS](), which I maintain is the best sedan I've ever driven. Now, the new 2026 BMW [M2 CS ]()is hoping to replicate that success, and it certainly has the specs to do so. BMW already showed the world what the M2 CS looks like at the [Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este]() in Lake Como. While not much changed visually, its integrated ducktail spoiler does a lot of visual heavy lifting. In turn, the M2 CS looks much more exciting than the comparatively boring-looking M2. (OK, [those colors]() certainly aren't boring). What's more important, though, is what's behind those funny square kidney grilles and underneath its bulging fenders. ![2026 BMW M2 CS rear three quarters]() ![2026 BMW M2 CS front three quarters]() ![BMW M2 CS wheel]() ![2026 BMW M2 CS spoiler]() Output from its 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six gets bumped from 473 horsepower to a whopping 523 horsepower, while torque is up from 443 lb-ft to 479 lb-ft. Purists rejoice: all of that power is still sent to the rear wheels alone. However, such purist happiness will be short-lived, as the M2 CS will only come with an automatic transmission—the same eight-speed ZF unit found in every other M car. BMW says throttle responses and shifts have been tuned specifically for CS duty, to make them more immediate. BMW also shed 100 pounds from the standard automatic-equipped M2 with some carbon fiber aero and interior bits, plus standard lightweight forged wheels. The result of its added power and lower curb weight is a claimed zero to 60 mph time of 3.7 seconds, which is four-tenths quicker than the standard M2. Bimmers tend to test quicker than their claimed times in reality, so I'd expect this one to do the same. It's still 3,770 pounds, though, so it's not like it suddenly became a featherweight. ![2026 BMW M2 CS front three quarters in motion]() ![]() ![2026 BMW M2 CS rear three quarters in motion]() ![2026 BMW M2 CS side in motion]() Where I'm hoping BMW did most of its work is in the suspension. The standard M2 is far from a bad sports car. It's grippy, sharp, and incredibly capable. Its problem is that it's almost too capable, as it makes driving quickly too easy and synthetic feeling. However, BMW made enough tweaks to the suspensions of previous CS models—bushings, ball joints, and basically anything that connected the car to the ground—to genuinely transform the feel. And it seems like BMW might have done something similar here. The M2 CS has unique springs, dampers, and "chassis control systems." Everything else has been given minor tweaks, too, like the adaptive suspension, Servtronic steering, and rear differential. It's even 0.2 inches lower than before. Track tires and "ultra track tires" are no-cost options. Inside, the M2 CS looks a lot like the standard M2, just with a flat-bottomed steering wheel wrapped in Alcantara. It also maintains BMW M's recent torture chamber seats (I actually like them, though I know most BMW fans don't), and gets some "CS" badges throughout. ![2026 BMW M2 CS interior]() ![2026 BMW M2 CS shifter]() ![2026 BMW M2 CS seats]() ![2026 BMW M2 CS engine]() BMW has been saving its best for CS models, almost to the point of making them the *real* M cars. I'm hoping this new M2 CS has the same magic. Pricing starts at $99,775, which seems like a lot for an M2, but then again, the previous generation M2 CS started at $84,595. This one has significantly more power, more tech, and higher performance capabilities. But will it be more fun? *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()