The BMW M2 CS doesn’t arrive until later this year, but it’s already breaking records
- The 2026 BMW M2 CS has become the fastest compact car on the Nurburgring Nordschleife.
- It lapped the 12.9 mile long course in 7:25.5, besting the previous record by eight seconds.
- The M2 CS starts at $98,600 and has a twin-turbo inline-six developing 523 hp and 479 lb-ft.
BMW unveiled the M2 CS in May and now the company has revealed its record-breaking run on the Nürburgring. It lapped the Nordschleife in 7:25.5, making it the “fastest compact car” on the Green Hell.
The record was set on April 11 by BMW M development engineer Jörg Weidinger. During his run, he beat the previous record by eight seconds. The automaker didn’t say who held the previous record or what car they drove, but FastestLaps lists an M2 that completed the Nordschleife in 7:33.91.
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However, BMW said the previous best time for an M2 was set in April of 2023, when Weidinger completed the course in 7:38.7. This implies the previous fastest compact wasn’t from the brand.
Regardless, the lap time is impressive and it was made possible by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six developing 523 hp (390 kW / 530 PS) and 479 lb-ft (649 Nm) of torque. It’s paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission, which enables the rear-wheel drive coupe to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 3.7 seconds, before topping out at 188 mph (303 km/h).
Besides an upgraded powertrain, the M2 CS has a number of carbon fiber components including the roof, mirror caps, and diffuser. These help the car to weigh 97 lbs (44 kg) less than an M2 equipped with an automatic transmission.
The M2 CS rides on forged alloy wheels and has a lowered suspension with unique springs and dampers. They’re joined by model-specific engine mounts, M compound brakes, and a revised M Sport differential.
While that’s just a brief overview of the changes, the M2 CS will be launched this summer and cost $98,600 before a $1,175 destination fee. This brings the total up to $99,775 before options and the inevitable markup.
