BMW M2 CS, the last of its dynasty

Being the heir to a lineage of BMW sports cars is no easy feat. At the Concorso de Eleganza Villa d'Este in northern Italy, BMW unveiled the sportiest version of its M2, which now produces 530 hp and 650 Nm of torque from its inline-six petrol engine, the Munich manufacturer's flagship engine. BMW's most charismatic engine is already used, with identical power, in the M3 and M4 sports cars. However, unlike these, the new M2 CS will only be available with rear-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive, while its bigger siblings will have an xDrive all-wheel drive system.

BMW's CS models have always been sportier and more competition-focused versions, with several tweaks and a lower weight than their parent models. The new M2 CS, which BMW will manufacture worldwide at its plant in San Luis de Potosí, Mexico, lives up to its name. It saves around 30 kilos on the scale compared to a conventional M2 thanks to the extensive use of materials such as aluminum and carbon fiber, both in the diffusers and wheels and various interior details. Thanks to this saving, the BMW M2 CS has a certified weight of 1,695 kilos, which, while not considered lightweight, makes it the lightest model in the M sports car range.

But the improvements proposed by BMW don't end there, because the Bavarians have developed chassis adjustments to increase its torsional rigidity, as well as improvements in steering feel, brake response (which can optionally be carbon-ceramic to prevent overheating), and specific tires.

Thanks to the weight savings and increased power, the brand-new BMW M2 CS is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.8 seconds, a figure worthy of top-level sports cars, and reaching an electronically limited top speed of 302 km/h (187 mph). But a true sports car should feel like one, and that's why BMW has enhanced the exhaust tips of the new M2 CS with an M Performance system that emits a dry, throaty sound, very similar to a racing car, thanks to the use of carbon-titanium in the tailpipe.

The new M2 CS will be priced at €115,000 in Germany, and BMW has yet to confirm the final price in our market, although it won't differ much from the German one. Although €115,000 is a lot of money, the new M2 CS won't lack buyers. The reason is that the ratio of power, weight, sportiness, and price doesn't make it the most expensive vehicle in the segment, where it will compete with the already veteran Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Verde or the significantly more expensive Porsche 911 Coupe, about €80,000 more than this M2 CS. However, the most purists only miss a version with a manual transmission, because the new BMW M2 CS will only be available with an eight-speed Steptronic dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Finally, it's no secret by now that this M2 CS is the latest in a series of lightweight sports cars that began with the 2002 CS and the iconic M1 and M2. Most likely, the next generation of rear-wheel-drive sports coupes will be hybrid or plug-in hybrid models, leaving behind forever the legendary 3.0-liter inline-six engine that has been the crown jewel of the Bavarian brand. Although the selling price of this model is indeed high, there's no doubt that it will continue to appreciate in value over the years because the new M2 CS has all the ingredients to become a future classic.