Completes the Laps In 7:25 To Beat The Audi RS3
The new BMW M2 CS has officially become the fastest compact car around the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. Priced from around $90,000 (₹95 lakh expected in India), this special edition has beaten the previous record held by the Audi RS3. The lap time? An astonishing 7 minutes and 25.5 seconds.
This makes the M2 CS faster than the regular M2 by a full 13.2 seconds. It also outpaces the Audi RS3 by 7.6 seconds. That’s a big jump for a car in the compact performance category.
What Makes the M2 CS So Fast?
The BMW M2 CS runs on a 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline-six engine. It produces 518 horsepower and 650 Nm of torque. That’s 50 hp more than the standard M2. It’s not just about power, though. BMW has also managed to cut 30 kilograms from the car’s weight. For the U.S. version, that’s 97 pounds lighter.
This means the M2 CS is quicker, sharper, and more agile around corners. The weight reduction helps it grip better and change direction faster.
The Tire Advantage: Pirelli vs. Michelin
One of the biggest upgrades comes in the form of tires. The regular M2 used Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. The BMW M2 CS, however, rides on Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tires. These are stickier, ultra-track-focused, but still road legal.
BMW M engineers carefully selected these tires for better lap performance. These tires offer more grip, especially in high-speed corners, which helped cut down lap time.
Lap Set Before Official Debut
The record-breaking lap wasn’t done during any big event. BMW’s M development engineer Jörg Weidinger drove the car on April 11, before its public unveiling. The debut only happened in May at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.
Weidinger is no stranger to the Nürburgring. He also set the lap for the regular M2 in 2023, so the improvement is easy to measure.
How It Compares to Other BMWs?
Even though the BMW M2 CS set a new record in its class, it still trails behind its larger siblings. The M4 CS, for example, is quicker with a lap time of 7:21.9. The fastest BMW ever is still the M4 CSL, which managed 7:18.1.
That said, the M2 CS is much smaller and more compact. Its performance, given its size and layout, makes it a standout.
A Hint at What’s Coming Next?
There are whispers about a possible M2 CSL in the future. BMW hasn’t confirmed anything yet, but given this lap time, it looks likely. A CSL version could push the limits even further.
For now, the BMW M2 CS holds the title of the fastest compact car around Nürburgring. It shows how far BMW can go by blending more power, less weight, and the right set of tires.
Conclusion
The BMW M2 CS isn’t just a slightly better M2. It’s a carefully built performance machine that now holds a major lap record. With more power, less weight, and sticky tires, it proves how small changes can make a big difference.
And while it may not yet beat the M4 CSL, it sets a strong benchmark for compact performance cars. If BMW does launch an M2 CSL, expect even more records to fall.
