The most powerful M car in BMW’s current fleet is the BMW XM Label Red. The efforts of its potent and electrified twin-turbocharged V8 engine are distributed to all four corners, resulting in impressive acceleration, but lacking the white-knuckle experience that would have been offered if its power had been sent exclusively to the rear.

Sadly, for enthusiasts, purely rear-wheel-drive models are being phased out of BMW’s lineup, with even the rear-wheel-drive BMW M3 and BMW M4 no longer possessing the same level of performance as their xDrive-equipped counterparts. Now, a new member has joined the Bavarian automaker’s ranks and secured the title of the most powerful rear-wheel-drive M model available now: the 2026 BMW M2 CS.

The CS Returns To The M2

BMW’s CS models have always represented the pinnacle of their model line in the Bavarian automaker’s catalog, except for the handful of CSL models introduced over the years. Whether you see these as marketing gimmicks to drive up sales through production of a limited number of “special” models, which is the method Ferrari uses to keep its cars valuable, or the impressive evolution of an already athletic car, the fact of the matter is that any model with a CS badge has been souped up and made lighter, which is exactly what has been done to BMW’s boxy M2.

For the hardcore BMW 2 Series, BMW followed the same formula that has been applied to every other model wearing the CS badge, adhering to a philosophy that was synonymous with the founder of Lotus: make the cars lighter and then add more power. Compared to the standard BMW M2, it is 66 pounds lighter, a result of the addition of carbon fiber-reinforced parts on both the exterior and interior. Making the car lighter was complemented by BMW’s efforts to improve the chassis dynamics by optimizing weight distribution, lowering it by eight millimeters, and underpinned by a specially tuned suspension system.

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Even though it wielded the same S58 inline-six-cylinder engine as its larger siblings, the BMW M3 and BMW M4, its power was diluted in the standard BMW M2, only mustering 453 hp compared to the larger M models’ 523 hp. However, BMW has finally equipped the M2 with the same power output as its elders. Although nothing has been added to the S58 to increase its power to match that of the M3 and M4, other than removing restrictions on its output, it is now connected to the chassis via new engine mounts. For this hardcore version of the G87 BMW M2, BMW wants to peddle its latest with an asking price starting from $99,775.

What About The Old M2 CS?

This is the second time we’ve seen the CS suffix attached to the rear of the M2. The first was the 2020 BMW M2 CS from the BMW F8X generation, and it followed the same formula as its modern descendant. In case you’ve never heard of the BMW M2 CS, let’s do a quick refresher. Similarly to the G87 M2, its forward momentum was sourced from an inline six-cylinder engine shared by the previous generations of the M3 and M4.

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In the CS model, it commanded more power than the standard models but fell short of the Competition versions of the M3 and M4. Paired with that angry inline six-cylinder engine was an engaging six-speed manual transmission, one of the key players that helped transfer nearly 450 hp directly to the 3,489-lb coupe’s rear wheels. It was also lighter than the standard F87 M2, relying on new carbon fiber components on the exterior and in the cabin.

In terms of appearance, the F87 M2 CS wins, and it’s not even close, but in terms of power and performance, the more modern M2 CS comes out on top. Still, the F87 BMW M2 CS is the more affordable model of the two, with an average selling price on Classic.com set at $87,469, which is roughly $2,000 above its original MSRP.

Same Power As The M3 And M4, But Costs More

BMW has recently updated the M3 and M4, introducing visual changes, new technology, and enhanced performance. Compared to the pre-facelift M3/M4, these facelifted models have seen a 20-hp increase in their maximum power outputs. The most notable changes to the facelifted M3 and M4 are visual. Each model’s entire range features new headlights, the laser-enhanced taillights that were first seen on the BMW M4 CSL, and M forged light-alloy wheels with a new finish. Beyond visual changes, the BMW M3 and M4 gain a new interior layout featuring BMW’s curved display with the iDrive 8.5 system, a new steering wheel, and a new selection of interior trims.

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These updates have inflated the asking price of the BMW M3 and BMW M4. In their most potent forms, when equipped with BMW’s xDrive system, the 2025 BMW M3 Competition xDrive coupe has a starting price of $85,300, while the 2025 BMW M4 Competition xDrive coupe has an MSRP of $88,300. The new BMW M2 CS, despite producing the same amount of power and lacking in some performance metrics, has an MSRP that is roughly $10,000 more than the BMW M4 and $13,000 higher than the BMW M3.

It’s The Most Affordable Modern CS Model

Although the BMW M2 CS commands a higher premium than the standard BMW M3 and BMW M4, it is the most affordable modern BMW that has undergone typical CS treatment. The other members of BMW’s modern fleet wearing a CS badge include the BMW M3 CS, BMW M3 CS Touring, and the BMW M4 CS, which is one of the rarest BMW special edition models. Although different models and body styles, all these models have experienced the same treatment from BMW, resulting in a version of BMW’s standard production cars that are lighter, have slightly more power (although BMW might be lying about just how much power), greater track affinity, and a more aggressive exterior design.

BMW asks roughly $85,000 for its most powerful standard BMW M3 configuration. With the CS treatment, the asking price of the BMW M4 CS jumps to $123,500, which is a hefty sum, but softened somewhat by the fact that this CS has been recorded lapping the Nürburgring quicker than a Ferrari Enzo and on par with the Ferrari 488 GTB. The M3 CS receives the same go-faster treatment as its CS siblings, and for the four-door track weapon, BMW is asking $119,695, which is $42,700 more than the most expensive standard M3 variant.

The Touring version of the M3 was a surprise, and it was an even bigger surprise when the CS-badged offshoot of the Touring debuted. Unfortunately, this is the hardcore wagon that we won’t get in the North American market, despite a clear demand for wagons in America. However, in other markets, it is still priced higher than the new BMW M2 CS.

Sources: BMW