Ask any car enthusiast which car is currently BMW’s best and the M2 is likely to be the answer. With enough hype to make it seem otherworldly, the BMW M2 was clearly the most exciting BMW of 2016. And for the most part, the M2 backed up its hype by being the best BMW M car in years, possibly the best since the departure of the BMW 1 Series M. It’s no secret that we’re big fans.
But get ready for something even more exciting, BMW M fans, as the Bavarians are planning something big for the M Division’s smallest car. Coming in 2018, BMW will be debuting a BMW M2 CS, which will be an even more powerful, more hardcore variant of the M2.
Packing a detuned variant of the S55 engine in the current BMW M3/M4, the BMW M2 CS will develop around 400 hp. No word on torque but it could be around the same 406 lb-ft as in the M3/M4. As it currently stands, the BMW M2, with its 365 hp N55 engine, is about as fast as the BMW M4, with both cars being equipped with BMW’s DCT gearbox. The M4 Competition Package can get from 0-60 mph in around 3.8 seconds, whereas the M2 does the same spring in 4.0 seconds flat. That’s mighty close, so with the new engine and increased power, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the M2 eclipse the M4, in terms of performance.
And that’s even before any weight loss takes place. While nothing is official as of yet, expect the M2 CS to have some serious weight savings efforts. It probably won’t be as extreme as, say, an M4 GTS but there will likely be some measures taken to reduce the relative heft of the M2. For instance, we could finally see a carbon fiber roof make its way to the M2, as BMW doesn’t currently offer it like it does on the M4. We could also see some lightweight seats, a carbon fiber hood and carbon brakes, all things the M2 is currently deprived of. With just those few weight saving measures, the M2 could go from being a great sports car to an absolute precision weapon, especially with more power.
We’re already big fans of the standard BMW M2, as are most fans. It seems as if it brings BMW back to its true roots of developing small and simple sports cars that are more about putting a smile on the driver’s face, rather than impressing on a spec sheet. Many call it the spiritual successor to the E46 BMW M3. If that’s the case, will the BMW M2 CS be the spiritual successor to the E46 M3 CSL?
