Perhaps the last M car uncorrupted by xDrive and engorged kidney grilles.
Ahead of its scheduled public unveil at the upcoming Los Angeles Motor Show, BMW have revealed the limited edition M2 CS featuring an even more powerful version of its inline-6 motor extra and carbon fibre bits thrown in. It’s also likely to be the final iteration of the F22 M car as we know it.
With the images and specifications of the M2 CS having already leaked online a day prior, the German automaker decided to officially publish details and media of the car in full detail.
For many, the M2 has been the go-to compact two-door rear-drive coupe for the Bimmer-inclined and fairly well to do enthusiast. It’s a shame, then, that the current-era F22 (on which the M2 Coupe is based) is due to be retired after serving the range for what would be 7 years in 2020. Hopefully BMW has a cracking replacement in the works.
The M version has received praise for its characterful dynamics and accessible yet very controllable tendency to oversteer coupled with second-to-none mechanical intuitiveness, front-end sharpness, and a decent dose of grand touring ability. Many liken it to the E46 M3 and for good reason.
In this CS, which in BMW parlance is short for Competition Sport, builds on the M2 Competition’s already formidable arsenal. As most matters go with high performance cars, things kick off with the engine. The S55 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged straight-6 now borrows its tune and reworked internals from the M4 Competition, raising power to 331kW while torque holds steady at 550Nm.
Given that the M2 is smaller and inherently lighter than the M4, the resulting performance makes the M2 CS the fastest and most potent rear-drive car the M division produces, dispatching the 100km/h sprint in 4.0 seconds with the DCT gearbox’s extra quick shifts.
The 7-speed dual-clutch unit is offered alongside a 6-speed manual option, with both sending final drive to an electronically controlled Active M rear differential. Top speed, in typical German fashion, is capped at 250km/h, requiring owners to fork over some extra for M Driver’s Package which de-limits the M2 CS to 280km/h.
Its body is covered in an extra peppering of CFRP (carbon fibre reinforced polymer) with its new bonnet (now with centre air vent) and roof being made of the lightweight material, also used to construct its front splitter, rear diffuser, and boot Gurney spoiler.
Fitted to each M2 CS is the Adaptive M Suspension system and leather/Alcantara M Sport seats which in combination, ironically, undoes the all if not most of weight saved by the aforementioned CFRP bits and brings the limited edition CS to parity with the M2 Competition at the scales.
That is, unless one also opts for the carbon ceramic brakes. Regardless, a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 2 Cup tyres are worn over its forged 19-inch lightweight wheels - seen here in the optional matte gold finish.
BMW Australia is expected to have more details on the local allotment of the M2 CS closer to its expected landfall somewhere in 2020. Prices, too, are to be confirmed, bearing in mind that it starts at €95,000 in Europe.
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