- First photos of BMW’s new M2 CS surfaced ahead of the full debut next week.
- The 3.0-liter six-cylinder makes around 525 hp, up from the standard M2’s 453 hp.
- Ducktail spoiler, aggressive bumper, and unique grille set this model apart visually.
Update: Apparently, BMW just couldn’t help itself. The company has released the first official photos of the new M2 CS, slipping them out during the opening of the 2025 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. The event, known for blending high-end classics with fresh unveiling, will also host the debut of the Speedtop concept later on today.
And while the image quality falls somewhere between a mid-2000s flip phone and a grainy security cam, it’s just good enough to get a decent look at the new flagship in the M2 lineup. BMW is holding back full specs until Tuesday, May 27, but as we noted in our scoop below, the headline here is simple: more power, less weight. Expect up to 525 hp, which should make this thing properly quick.
The new images also confirm a few design cues we were expecting. The M2 CS adopts a massive CSL-style ducktail spoiler molded into the carbon-fiber reinforced trunk lid, plus a set of chunky bronze wheels wrapped in wider, stickier rubber. The front fascia also gets a distinctive treatment: a unique kidney grille design that drops the usual slats entirely, save for one horizontal bar through the middle. The rest of the front bumper is equally aggressive, with large air inlets that follow the same pared-down aesthetic.
John Halas contributed to this story.
When BMW first showcased the second-generation M2, many thought it would be too big and too heavy to live up to its predecessor. However, the new BMW has proven to be an exceptional sports car, and soon, it’ll become even better with the launch of a CS version.
Sharper, Lighter, Faster
BMW has been testing the flagship version of the M2 for quite some time, and our spy photographers have snapped it yet again, albeit this time with slightly more revealing camouflage and a pair of particularly lovely wheels with a gold finish.
Watch: BMW’s 500HP+ M2 CS Might Be The Ultimate Driving Machine
To ensure this pumped-up version of the M2 is fitting of the CS badge, the front bumper has been significantly altered with a sharp new splitter and revised air intakes, making it look much more aggressive than the standard car. The revisions continue at the rear with a large lip spoiler and a slightly different bumper and diffuser package.
While the M2 CS will look a little edgier than the standard model, exterior tweaks won’t be the most significant change made. The most exciting stuff happens under the hood. Like the standard car, power will come from a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged six-cylinder, although power will increase significantly and could soar to as high as 525 hp. That would give the M2 CS even more power than the rear-wheel drive BMW M4 Competition with its 503 hp. This is bound to make the range-topping M2 an absolute hoot to drive.
BMW’s engineers are also expected to deploy some cunning tactics to shed some unnecessary pounds from the car, improving its power-to-weight ratio even further. Perhaps the only piece of news that may disappoint enthusiasts is that the M2 CS will probably only be sold with an eight-speed automatic transmission and not a six-speed manual.
SHProshots
