It's easy to look at BMW's future plans and think that the company has lost its edge as a performance manufacturer. A lot of attention is now being focused on the likes of the iX electric crossover and the upcoming hydrogen-powered X5, neither of which are bad cars on their own. But, it's hardly the news that long-time enthusiasts have been waiting for. Look a little deeper at Beemer's lineup though and there's a few hidden gems in there, and one of them is the M2 CS.
It's the swansong for the current generation of the M2, being the fastest and most powerful version ever built. Not only is it fast, but it's a proper driver's car, with a straight six engine and a manual transmission. Buying a CS is no mean feat: at an eye-watering price tag of $84,595, it takes both a deep wallet and a serious commitment to the brand to consider a purchase. But, for those with the cash, we'd argue it's well worth it. Let's take a closer look at this race-bred performance machine and see why it might just be the best driver's car from BMW in years.
10 The Classic Layout
With their recent new models, BMW have shifted more towards using front wheel drive, a move that can improve efficiency but isn't usually as fun to drive. The M2 CS sticks to its old-school roots, with a front-engine, rear wheel drive layout that's exactly what Beemer's performance division have excelled at for decades.
The layout means the CS offers insane amounts of grip, being able to stay planted even when thrown into corners at high speed. The RWD also means it's easy to get the back end out, and keep it out round corners too.
9 Glorious Straight Six Engine
Another highlight of the new M2 is the S55 engine that originally resided in the M3 and M4. It made its way into the M2 for the 2018 Competition variant, and now it's had a boost for the CS. Power is up on the standard Competition by 40 hp, bringing the car to 444 hp.
Not only is the straight six fast, but it sounds amazing too. Even in the lower half of the rev range, the car makes a satisfying burble that should entertain both the driver and any passersby.
8 Seriously Impressive Performance
Performance stats aren't everything, but they're essential to consider when looking at a car this expensive. The M2 CS doesn't disappoint, with an official 0-62 time of just 4.0 seconds. It also boasts a meaty 405 lb-ft of torque, and a curb weight largely the same as the previous Competition variant.
Those stats aren't world-beating, nor are they fast enough to keep up with an electric performance car in a straight line. But, straight line performance isn't really the point of the CS. No, this is a car built for the back roads and the track. On either of those, the M2 will happily hunt down cars that cost twice the price.
7 Six Speed Manual
As much as many gearheads don't want to believe it, it's true: the manual transmission is on its way out. There's just not as much demand for it in most sectors of the car market, and auto 'boxes are now more efficient to boot. But, in keeping with its old-school tendencies, the M2 CS offers a six-speed manual as standard.
That's great news for enthusiasts who agree that driving stick can't be beat, but there's a seven-speed dual clutch auto transmission available as well. No matter which transmission a buyer chooses, the car is just as responsive and quick, so really it's down to personal preference.
6 Head Turning Looks
Anyone spending this much cash on a sports car will want it to look the part, and so Beemer opted to add an exclusive body kit for the CS to differentiate it from its lesser 2 Series siblings. It's also wider and lower than the regular M2 Competition, and it comes with active suspension so the car's stance can be fine-tuned depending on the situation.
As well as the body kit, there's also a new carbon fiber roof that's been directly lifted off the brand's GT4 racing cars. Carbon-ceramic brake discs are now also available as optional extras, and they come with eye-catching gold calipers which compliment the CS's new, lighter rims.
5 Incredible Handling
The regular M2 Competition was already an amazing car, with top-tier handling and a very composed feel on the road. The CS tips the balance a little further towards being a track day vehicle, with a slightly stiffer setup and a more precise steering feel.
The suspension works best when it's under full load, which means speed is necessary to really get the best out of the car. But, with such an incredible machine, it's hard to think of a situation where the driver wouldn't want to push the car for all it's worth.
4 Racing-Style Bucket Seats
It's no use having a quick car if the driver and passengers are flying about inside the cabin every time there's a corner. The new racing bucket seats have been taken out of the M3, and they're a marked improvement over the already-great M2 Competition's seats.
They're grippier than before, keeping occupants firmly in place even when holding the car on the ragged edge of its performance. But, they're also surprisingly comfy, with plenty of padding and enough support to be comfortable on a day-long highway journey.
3 It's Daily Driveable
On the subject of highway journeys, this is one of the few performance cars that's genuinely useable as a daily driver. It's based on the 2 Series coupe, and despite numerous performance upgrades it keeps much of that car's practicality. There's a generous-sized trunk, way bigger than similarly-priced sports car rivals.
It's also quite happy to rack up the miles on the highway, with Comfort mode turning the car from track beast into a usable commuter. It's an advantage that rivals like the Porsche Cayman GT4 and Lotus Exige just can't offer, and it really sets the M2 apart in its class.
2 It'll Be Reliable
$85,000 puts buyers into used supercar territory, and so with such a high price tag it might be tempting for them to opt for a used McLaren or Aston Martin. Performance aside, the biggest difference here will be in running costs and reliability. While it is possible to daily drive a used supercar, it's going to cost a huge amount of money and drivers will probably have to keep a tow truck on speed dial.
The M2 on the other hand has proven itself as a surprisingly reliable car, and with no major hardware changes for the CS it's difficult to see why the new variant would be any different. The M2 is built to take a beating and be driven hard, but that has the side effect of being actually very reliable when it's just used as a daily driver.
1 It Won't Be Around Forever
As sad as it might seem, cars like the M2 CS aren't going to be around forever. Global manufacturers like BMW are having to contend with ever-tightening emissions regulations that mean performance cars will have to change, and they'll likely be electrified too.
While there's plenty of good things to say about electric sports cars, they probably won't ever manage to match the engaged feeling that a traditional gas-powered car can provide. The M2 CS may very well be one of the last of its kind, and that alone makes it well worth blowing savings on.