An extra high-performance variant of the new BMW M2 is in the works that will likely wear a CS or CSL badge.
BMW has been seen testing the new second-generation BMW M2 with stripped-back equipment, suggesting we will see a CS or CSL-badged version launch. We’ve already seen the CSL badge on the M4 recently, so it might well be used on the smaller M2 too.
The new model will follow the launch of G87 M2 which is to be revealed next month, as a more potent, track-focused version of Munich’s baby performance car.
It will be similarly positioned to the previous-generation top-wrung M2 CS, which was the most hardcore version of the F87 M2 and a firmed-up variant of the celebrated M2 Competition.
This new car, pictured in the very early development stages at BMW’s Munich headquarters, was spotted with a more aggressive and lower front end complete with a splitter, plus an integrated rollover bar and a rear spoiler.
The track-focused variant is expected to get an uprated version of BMW’s turbocharged six-cylinder S58 engine that makes 353kW, matching the current M4. This would give it a 22kW advantage over the standard M2, which itself will produce 331kW from the S58 powerplant – the same output as the F87 M2 CS. Power will be sent to the rear wheels through BMW’s paddle-shift eight-speed automatic transmission.
The car will be the same size as the standard M2, which is around 50mm bigger than the previous generation. This is due to the Cluster Architecture platform that the G87 M2 shares with other BMW models including the 8 Series coupé and the X7 SUV.
The new M2 CS is also expected to weigh less than the standard M2 (with like-forlike transmissions). By way of comparison, the current M2 CS weighed 25kg less than the last-generation M2 (1575kg).
Weight for the standard M2 hasn’t yet been disclosed, but expect it to be heavier than the F87 M2, due to the new underpinnings, but not as heavy as the current M4 Coupe, which weighs 1725kg.
The standard M2 is expected to launch in Australia in early 2023, with this hotter variant arriving at a later date.
Will Rimell