BMW’s MS CS is all the rage

If you've got a six-figure stash lying around and want a cool set of wheels, BMW has a high-performance coupe that will satisfy your need for speed.

Their M2 CS (Competition Sport) is a track ready 523-horsepower twin-turbo inline six that growls through quad exhausts hitting all the right notes.

Our rear-wheel drive tester dropped 100 pounds of weight, replacing body parts with a carbon fiber roof panel, trunk lid, door mirror caps and rear diffuser. Light weight 19-inch front and 20-inch rear forged gold-colored wheels and less sound-deadening material were also scrapped.

As if that were not enough shedding, the CS was optioned with $8,500 ceramic brakes to further weight reduction.

The ride is firmly planted and hugs the pavement around the twisties, straight-aways and oval tracks. Sheet metal is striking with an aggressive and boxy look, a wide stance and a smallish kidney grille.

We ran the sprint from a dead stop to 60 miles per hour at our independent test track in 3.4 seconds, quick and sure-footed but trailing rivals' Porsche Taycan, Corvette ZR1X, Ford Mustang, Lamborghini Urus and Ferrari SF90.

It reportedly completes the quarter-mile time in 11.3 seconds with optimal track conditions at 128 miles per hour utilizing its 479 lb-ft of torque.

It can function well as a daily driver capitalizing on the standard M2's comfort package. Suspension tackles ordinary road imperfections smoothing the ride. The reduced sound deadening and engine mounts do result in pavement and tire noise inside the cabin.

In sensible highway driving, the CS will achieve mid to upper 20s gas mileage.

Unfortunately, weight reduction eliminates cupholders and console storage necessitating the need to hold hot or cold drinks while driving.

Trunk space is 13.8 cubic feet, not enough for golf clubs but one set will fit in the front passenger seat fully reclined. Split folding rear seats add to the available storage since passenger use is minimal.

While front seats are multi-adjustable, getting in and out can be challenging. Thick cushion and seatback bolsters force you to climb up and over a ridge rather than sliding across. Once in, the snug fit locks you into place for track runs but challenges the daily driver.

The standard M2 can be in your driveway for $30,000 less with 50 fewer ponies and an automatic or six-speed manual transmission. Our CS was fitted with an eight-speed automatic with Drivelogic, an adjustable shift pattern and Launch Control.

CS production tops out at 2,381 worldwide with the United States getting 621, Germany 563 and the remainder here and there.

The CS includes a track ready cooling system, adaptive M suspension, dynamic brake and stability control and a front and rear head protection system.

Interior treatment is posh featuring an anthracite headliner, Vernasca leather, an Alcantara M thickened steering wheel and a curved display featuring navigation operated by voice, touchscreen or iDrive controller. A Harman Kardon sound system is impressive.

Aside from the brakes and Velvet Blue interior, all other features come standard starting at $98,600.

(Contact independent automotive columnist Len Ingrassia at editor@ptd.net.)

2026 BMW M2 Coupe CS

ENGINE: 3.0-liter inline six, twin turbo -- 523 horsepower.

MSRP/AS TESTED: $98,600/$111,275.

EPA RATED MILEAGE: 16 city, 23 highway, 19 combined.

ASSEMBLED: San Luis Potosi, Mexico. U.S./Canadian parts -- 5%; major source of foreign parts -- Germany, 28%, Mexico, 16%; country of origin, engine, Austria and transmission -- Germany.

CRASH TEST RATINGS: Neither the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety nor the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had evaluated the CS as of this writing.

WARRANTY: 4 year/50,000-mile bumper to bumper warranty, 3 year/36,000-mile scheduled maintenance.