BMW M2 CS lightweight edition coming in 2025 without key feature – report

The BMW M2 CS is due to return in 2025 with more power than its predecessor – and parts borrowed from its larger siblings – according to a new report.

BimmerPost forum user 'ynguldyn' – a reputable BMW insider with a strong track record for sharing advanced information on future models – claims a new M2 CS is due to commence production in August 2025.

CS – short for Competition Sport – denotes more extreme versions of BMW M cars, with more power, less weight and a greater focus on race-track driving, though they are a step below the hardcore CSL variants.

According to the insider, the new M2 CS will be sold with an automatic transmission only – and will lose its option of a six-speed manual gearbox.

It will not be the first BMW CS model to lose the manual option – one is not available in the latest M3 CS or M5 CS sedans – however the previous M2 CS sold from 2019 to 2021 was available with manual or automatic transmissions.

The manual transmission accounted for about 20 to 25 per cent of sales of the previous BMW M2 globally – or about 50 per cent in the US.

It remains to be seen if the automatic transmission is matched with more power from the 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder petrol engine.

In the standard M2 it develops 338kW and 550Nm – already 7kW more than the previous M2 CS – though according to 'ynguldyn', it will reportedly receive a boost to 354kW from August 2024 production.

Past BMW CS models have typically produced about 7kW more than their regular 'Competition' counterparts.

The BimmerPost user claims the new M2 CS will be built for 11 months – from August 2025 to July 2026 – well ahead of the current M2's scheduled end of production in July 2029.

It is reportedly due to gain the 19-inch front and 20-inch wheels from the larger M3 CS and M4 CSL, plus a carbon-fibre roof, front bucket seats, and an Alcantara-trimmed steering wheel as standard equipment.

It remains to be seen if the new M2 CS is any lighter than its regular sibling, which is already 150kg heavier than the previous M2 Competition in automatic trim (1725kg vs 1575kg kerb).

The previous M2 CS was no lighter than its Competition stablemate as its carbon-fibre parts and weight-reducing feature deletions were cancelled out by the addition of adaptive suspension – a feature which is standard on the regular, new-generation model.

More details of the 2026 BMW M2 CS are due closer to its introduction in mid 2025.