The 2026 BMW M2 Competition Sport, or CS, coupe cranks out 523 horsepower from a turbocharged 3.0-liter I-6 and sheds nearly 100 lbs. of weight. It’s mega!
After starting its second-generation in 2023 and getting an update last year, BMW revealed the 2026 BMW M2 Competition Sport, or M2 CS, with more power and less weight. The M2 CS weighs a claimed 97 fewer pounds than before and packs an additional 50 horsepower, 523 in total. That’s in addition to a re-tuned suspension to quicken its reflexes.
MORE POWER
BMW uses its S58, twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six under the hood of this latest Competition Sport. The S58 uses two mono-scroll turbochargers, high-precision fuel injectors, variable valve-timing, and a forged crankshaft. Altogether, you get 523 HP at 6250 rpm and 479 lb.-ft between 2700 – 5620 rpm to play with or 50 more horsepower and 36 additional lb.-ft of torque. Even better, redlines climbs to 7200 rpm, a nice high number for a turbo motor.
From there, all the hustle channels through an eight-speed automatic transmission and then on to the rear wheels. BMW only offers the M2 CS with the auto, no manual here. Sad face. The eight-speed delivers better accel, at least. The sport coupe uses its muscle to reach 60 mph from rest 0.2 seconds quicker than the standard, just 3.7 seconds. Keep your foot in it and the it will eventually reach 188 mph.
DIET PLAN
Comparing automatic M2 to the automatic M2 CS, BMW managed to pull 97 lbs. out of the latter. Its curb weight is 3770 lbs. BMW achieved this by swapping in forged alloy wheels and liberally using carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). You’ll find CFRP for the roof, sideview mirrors, rear diffuser, and trunk-lid.
The M2, by the way, is larger than my beloved 2001 and BMW M3 I once owned. The smallest M car on offer still measures 180.6-in. long, 74.3-in wide, 54.9-in tall, with a wheelbase of 108.1-in.
QUICK WITS
Chassis wise, BMW lowered the M2 CS by 0.2-in compared to the standard. BMW also retuned the springs, adaptive shock absorbers, chassis controls, and the M Sport differential to eke out a bit more performance.
In that same vein, BMW mounted a staggered set of wheels, you get 19s in front and 20s in the rear. Moreover, tires mounted are 275/35R19s in front and 285/30R20s in the rear. Additionally, BMW will happily mount a set of ceramic brakes behind those wheels, but plan to spend another $8500.
INSIDE
Open the door and the CS greets you with heated, M Carbon bucket seats for both the driver and front passenger. They look like heavily bolstered, snug places to sit. Moreover, the steering wheel offers a nice fat rim and a flat bottom. You also get a red strip at the top to offer a visual center marker. All of it nice, driver focused features.
From there, BMW mounted paddle shifters behind the wheel to manually shift the transmission, if you choose. And keep an eye on pertinent information via the 12.3-in digital instrument cluster and 14.9-in center display. Finally, sprinkled throughout, you’ll find CS lettering in subtle and not so subtle ways.
SUMMARY
50 horsepower comes at a price. While a base, manual transmission BMW M2 starts at $69,375. The M2 CS slips in just under $100k! Starting price is $99,775. That includes the $1175 destination charge, but not any options, like the aforementioned ceramic brakes. Got the money? Expect the M2 CS to start arriving sometime late in the summer.
Regardless of price, its specs look promising to provide a mega drive. And I like the size of the M2. It’s a nice compact, rear-wheel-drive sport coupe. As soon as I get the chance, I’ll jump in and strap on some cameras to make a review.
Or, perhaps you need more space or want to spend less on fuel, in that case check out the BMW X5 xDrive50e, its plug-in hybrid.
