2026 BMW M2 CS Evaluate – BMW’s Purest M Automotive But

The very first thing I observed wasn’t the ability. It was the rain. Thick Southern downpour, the sort that turns each patch of asphalt right into a mirror. The automotive sitting in entrance of me — the brand new 2026 BMW M2 CS — regarded able to destroy lap occasions, not wade via puddles. However that’s what made it good. There’s one thing cool about testing BMW’s most track-focused small coupe in circumstances that erase grip altogether.

I slipped into the carbon bucket seat, adjusted the flat-bottom Alcantara wheel, and hit the starter. I hit the starter and the S58 got here to life with that acquainted straight-six pulse — deep, purposeful, and unmistakably M. The cabin picked up a low vibration via the seat and wheel, the sort that immediately tells you you’re in one thing critical.

Exterior, the rain eased to a drizzle — simply sufficient to tempt me onto the monitor.

Chassis Upgrades: 8mm Decrease, M4 GT4 Mounts And Extra

Even earlier than turning a wheel, you’ll be able to inform the CS is totally different. It sits decrease — 8 millimeters down on revised springs and dampers — and the stance alone provides away its intent. The engine and transmission mounts are stiffer, with the gearbox mounts borrowed immediately from the M4 GT4 race automotive. The Energetic M Differential and stability techniques have been reprogrammed, the traction management now providing ten ranges of adjustment. Each piece of {hardware} has been tightened, sharpened, and tuned to make the automotive extra communicative.

From the surface, it’s a delicate evolution relatively than a shout — although truthfully, I wouldn’t have minded a bit extra visible drama. The carbon-fiber roof, ducktail trunk lid, and redesigned diffuser make the common M2 look tame with out overdoing it. The solid wheels save unsprung mass, the lighter carbon elements chip away on the weight, and all informed the CS sheds about 97 lbs (44 kg) versus the usual automotive, bringing it right down to roughly 3,770 lbs.

A lot of Energy: 523 hp, 479 lb-ft

BMW might’ve simply added energy and known as it a day, however that’s not what occurred right here. The 523 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque are virtually secondary to how alive the entire automotive feels. The connection between throttle, drivetrain, and chassis is prompt — the response is so crisp that you simply really feel the automotive breathe beneath you.

Moist Traction on Michelin Pilot Sport 4S

The primary lap informed me every little thing I wanted to know. Even on Michelin Pilot Sport 4S road tires, the M2 CS launched prefer it was glued to the monitor. Traction within the moist was shockingly good — the rear would twitch below full throttle, then dig in, sending the automotive ahead with a managed violence that made me chortle out loud.

I spent most of these first laps in MDM. It’s the candy spot on a moist day: the rear can breathe on nook exit, you continue to get rotation on a carry or a brush of path brake, and it solely tidies up the spikes. It trims torque as a substitute of clamping the brakes, so the automotive by no means feels strangled. With M Traction Management in the midst of the vary, I might steer it on the throttle and be taught the floor as a substitute of preventing it.

The Driving Expertise In contrast To The G87 M2

On nook entry, I might stand it on its nostril below braking, rotate it round, and feed in energy with precision. If the entrance began to push, a fast carry introduced it proper again. The stability was spot-on — playful, however all the time predictable.

In comparison with the bottom G87 M2, which already feels planted and forgiving, the CS has extra edge. It’s nonetheless steady, however it’s extra desirous to rotate. The stiffer mounts tie the entire automotive collectively and you may really feel the powertrain and chassis working as one. And surprisingly to different trendy BMWs, you get a variety of steering really feel. Extra on that in a second.

And that’s the distinction: the bottom M2 lets virtually anybody go quick; the CS in MDM nonetheless performs alongside, however it additionally reveals you ways far more there’s in the event you’re prepared to lean on it.

Steering Really feel: G87 vs. F87 M2 CS

Even with DSC absolutely off, it by no means felt intimidating, not less than on the monitor. It favored to step out, certain, however all the time in sluggish movement — progressive, catchable, and immensely rewarding. The M Traction Management system deserves critical credit score. In the precise mode, you’ll be able to dial in simply sufficient slip to bop via corners with out concern. It’s the form of automotive that makes you need yet one more lap, simply to see if you will get it a little bit cleaner subsequent time.

The steering additionally feels higher than within the G87 M2, however as anticipated, a bit much less participating than the F87 M2 CS I drove two years in the past on a monitor close by. It’s heavier than most trendy techniques, however not too synthetic. It masses up naturally, providing you with a relentless stream of knowledge from the pavement. You may really feel the entrance tires clawing via the water, the burden transferring, the chassis leaning ever so barely on its exterior edge. There’s actual communication right here — the form of participating steering that’s turning into uncommon in lots of trendy sports activities vehicles.

MDM Mode Was The Greatest

On the large monitor, with lengthy sweepers and flat corners, the automotive felt so safe that by the third lap, I used to be already experimenting with new traces. That’s what an amazing M automotive does — it earns your belief shortly, then invitations you to discover.

I stored MDM on for a lot of the morning. Within the quick, flat sections it let the rear breathe a little bit, then collect itself up with out killing velocity. As soon as I knew the place the grip was, I went DSC-off for a number of laps — extra laughs, extra angle — however my cleanest laps really got here in MDM, as a result of it stored the automotive tidy with out feeling like a security internet.

Carbon-Ceramic Brakes Are Constant and Fade-Free

The carbon-ceramic brakes have been flawless. They stopped onerous, lap after lap, even within the chilly and moist, with zero fade. There was a faint squeal within the slower corners — virtually like a reminder of how critical these brakes are — however pedal really feel was good. Linear, agency, constant.

Because the session went on, the odor of sizzling rotors mixing with rain stuffed the cabin. The automotive hunkered down with each lap, the chassis feeling extra settled, the tires lastly discovering warmth. You may sense it coming alive.

Autocross: DSC Off vs. MDM

When the rain lastly slowed, I turned off DSC fully and headed for the autocross course. The floor was nonetheless slick, however this was the M2 CS at its greatest. It rotated extra eagerly now, the rear following the throttle with simply the correct quantity of slip. By the tighter corners, I might really feel the entrance tires chunk and the automotive pivot neatly round them — exact, however by no means medical.

Humorous factor is, on the tight autocross the quickest means round wasn’t DSC-off; it was MDM with a little bit of slip dialed in. It let the nostril chunk, let the rear rotate simply sufficient, after which cleaned up my greed on throttle. I might push tougher with out paying a time penalty for each little mistake.

The shorter wheelbase provides it this compact, tossable nature, but it’s so effectively balanced that even massive slides really feel simple to regulate. The entire time, the steering wheel was alive in my fingers, gently writhing because the automotive discovered grip, misplaced it, and located it once more.

By the top of the session, I already knew what the M2 CS is all about: it’s not only a monitor weapon, it’s a automotive that reminds you the why we love combustion-powered sportscars.

On a dry monitor with Cup 2 or Cup 2 R tires, it will be devastatingly fast, although I think the firmer suspension and people ultra-sticky compounds may make it much less pleasant on bumpy or moist roads. On the 4S tires, it felt like the right compromise — loads of grip, simply sufficient forgiveness.

Each day Driving: Consolation Mode & Experience High quality

After a full morning of monitor work, I took the M2 CS out onto South Carolina’s again roads. I needed to see how a lot of its persona survived exterior the circuit. Every little thing set to Consolation mode, the automotive softened up immediately. The trip is agency, sure, however removed from punishing. It soaked up tough patches and growth joints with out drama.

At about 55 mph, over patched asphalt, it stayed composed — speaking the highway floor with out beating you up. There’s a slight drone on the freeway, in all probability from the lowered sound insulation, however it fades as soon as the highway turns attention-grabbing.

At 70 mph in eighth gear, the engine hums slightly below 2,000 rpm. Quiet, regular, fully livable. It’s surprisingly refined — a automotive you possibly can commute in in the event you needed to.

The Typical CS Cabin

The carbon bucket seats nonetheless hug tightly, however they’re heated, as is the Alcantara steering wheel. There’s wi-fi CarPlay, Android Auto, and charging ports. Positive, there’s no heart armrest or cupholders, however truthfully — you don’t purchase a CS to drink espresso.

And regardless of its additional edge, the CS hasn’t sacrificed practicality. It nonetheless retains the rear seats, which suggests you’ll be able to carry passengers or baggage — not one thing each “monitor particular” can declare.

Twin Character: Calm in Consolation, Alive in Sport

It was on these again roads that I actually began appreciating the duality of this automotive. It’s calm and obedient if you need it to be, however the second you dial the settings again to Sport, the entire thing tightens, the throttle wakes up, and the steering feels prefer it’s studying your ideas.

Similar to on monitor, the M2 CS feels flatter via corners but additionally extra alert. The primary time you flip in, you discover how a lot sharper it’s — exact and keen, but nonetheless with that BMW circulate that retains you related to the highway.

Manufacturing, Worth & Allocation

BMW hasn’t stated what number of M2 CS fashions can be constructed, however whispers recommend fewer than 2,000 items worldwide, with the U.S. getting most of them. Japan will get simply 87 vehicles, all bought out already — a becoming nod to the G87 codename. Canada is claimed to have 81 items. Manufacturing runs via July 2026, constructed alongside the common M2 in San Luis Potosí, Mexico.

It’s a $20,000 soar over the bottom M2 (MSRP $99,975), however you’ll be able to really feel precisely the place that cash went — in the way in which the chassis talks to you, how the automotive pivots mid-corner, and the way it rewards small, exact inputs. And when you consider it, even at that worth, there actually isn’t a real rival on this phase — nothing else that blends this degree of efficiency, stability, and on a regular basis usability fairly prefer it.

There’s one factor lacking although: the now iconic yellow lights.

Last Verdict: BMW M2 CS With Character & Soul

The F87 M2 CS was one among my favourite trendy BMWs as a result of it managed to mix sharpness with pleasure. This one appears like its religious successor. It’s quicker, extra composed, and but it hasn’t misplaced that uncooked edge that made the unique such a cult hit. Positive, it would barely extra controversial on the subject of its design, however efficiency clever, it’s actually a step up.

BMW calls this automotive “CS” for Competitors Sport, however I feel it stands for one thing else: Character and Soul.

It’s every little thing a contemporary M automotive ought to be — compact, rear-driven, communicative, and filled with persona. It’s not good. It’s agency in trip, it’s loud in design, it’s unapologetic. Nevertheless it’s actual.

And after a full day within the rain, chasing grip and grins in equal measure, I spotted one thing: that is the M2 we’ve been ready for — the one which reminds you why you fell in love with BMW M within the first place.

I might’ve stored driving all of it day.