F87 BMW M2 CS - 450 hp/550 Nm, manual or DCT, adaptive suspension, ceramic brakes; 2,200 units

F87 BMW M2 CS – 450 hp/550 Nm, manual or DCT, adaptive suspension, ceramic brakes; 2,200 units

It’s official – the F87 BMW M2 CS arrives as the top variant of the junior M car, and it will be priced from €95,000 (RM434,917) in Europe, and it will be limited to a production run of 2,200 units. This model will also serve as the basis for the BMW M2 CS Racing variant, which is the marque’s entry into amateur racing.

The M2 CS builds upon the M2 Competition with the same S55 biturbo inline-six engine, giving it an additional 40 hp for a total of 450 hp at 6,250 rpm and the same 550 Nm of torque beginning at the same 2,350 rpm, though the peak band is stretched further by 300 rpm to 5,500 rpm in the M2 CS.

The powerplant can be paired to either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, driving the rear wheels via an Active M differential. Thus equipped the M2 CS achieves the 0-100 km/h sprint benchmark in 4.2 seconds with the manual transmission, or 4.0 seconds with the seven-speed DCT. Top speed is an electronically-governed 280 km/h when specified with the M Driver’s Package.

BMW M2 CS

Additional improvements applied to the M2 CS include an extra oil scavenge pump for the engine in order to maintain smooth oil circuit function when operating under hard acceleration and braking. The cooling system is from the BMW M4 Competition Package, a setup which brings an additional engine oil cooler, while M DCT-equipped models also get an additional transmission oil cooler.

Setting the M2 CS apart from its Competition sibling in the exterior stakes is the use of more carbon-fibre. The material is used for the construction of the roof, front splitter, side mirror covers, rear bootlid-mounted Gurney flap and rear diffuser, while a carbon-fibre reinforced plastic bonnet is also fitted here. Here, a quad-tailpipe, dual-branch exhaust system with electronically controlled flaps features too.

Rolling stock is comprised of Y-spoked forged alloy wheels measuring 9J x 19″ and 10J x 19″ front and rear finished in gloss black or matte gold, fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres measuring 245/35ZR19 and 265/35ZR19 front and rear, respectively.

BMW M2 CS

These house larger brakes, now comprising 400 mm discs with six-piston fixed calipers in front and 380 mm discs with four-piston fixed calipers at the back. Adaptive suspension also features on the M2 CS, offering a choice of Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus modes. Power steering assistance levels can also be adjusted via the Drivelogic settings in the M2 CS, while M Dynamic Mode continues to offer a limited amount of slip angle before intervention.

Inside, the M2 CS features a pair of bucket-style M sport seats with integrated head rests; this also features BMW M stripes, while the seat backrests are trimmed in Merino leather and Alcantara along with red contrast stitching. Meanwhile, the driver gets an Alcantara-covered steering wheel with a red central marking as an option. The centre console is also made of carbon-fibre, which is 50% lighter than the standard item.

The F87 M2 CS is a limited-run model for which production commences in March 2020, and is set to conclude in December that year. For this model, BMW has introduced a new exclusive colour, Misano Blue which is seen on the car depicted here.