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Video | BMW M2 CS – 'pure energy, zero chill'
Rory straps into the BMW M2 CS to find out just how much more hardcore it is than the regular M2…
Words by: Dan Trent
Published on 19 January 2026 | 0 min read
As BMW’s classic M3 has got bigger, faster and more sophisticated it’s been left to its M2 little brother to fly the flag for the M division’s more traditional fans. Meaning all the firepower and tech. But not the nannying all-wheel drive or overbearing size of the latest M3. How does that translate into the way it drives? Check out Rory’s video and see how much time he spends with the car pointing forwards!
But what is the M2 CS? Well, combine the best bits of the already punchy M2 with the engine of the M3, garnish with carbon fibre and some fancy forged wheels and – ta-da – here you go! To put some numbers on that the CS has 50 horsepower more than the M2, putting all of its 530 horsepower through the rear wheels only. It also gets lashings of carbon fibre bodywork, including a distinctive duck tail rear wing which inspires a whole line of conversation for Rory in the vid. Which we won’t spoil here. There’s also plenty of tech, including custom-tuned calibration for the steering, gearbox, suspension and more, as well as BMW M’s nifty 10-step traction control and the M Drift Analyser to rate your sideways skills. Sensibly Rory went to a track to put those to the test, and on this showing he gets a top score! And if you enjoyed this video there’s plenty more where it came from on Autotrader’s YouTube channel, so if you’re not subscribed already head on over and sign yourself up!
But what is the M2 CS? Well, combine the best bits of the already punchy M2 with the engine of the M3, garnish with carbon fibre and some fancy forged wheels and – ta-da – here you go! To put some numbers on that the CS has 50 horsepower more than the M2, putting all of its 530 horsepower through the rear wheels only. It also gets lashings of carbon fibre bodywork, including a distinctive duck tail rear wing which inspires a whole line of conversation for Rory in the vid. Which we won’t spoil here. There’s also plenty of tech, including custom-tuned calibration for the steering, gearbox, suspension and more, as well as BMW M’s nifty 10-step traction control and the M Drift Analyser to rate your sideways skills. Sensibly Rory went to a track to put those to the test, and on this showing he gets a top score! And if you enjoyed this video there’s plenty more where it came from on Autotrader’s YouTube channel, so if you’re not subscribed already head on over and sign yourself up!