Buyers snap up limited range of BMW M2 CS
Fanatics are apprehensive that the BMW M2’s eventual replacement will be shaped from foreign matter such as a hot 2.0l four-cylinder and front-wheel led xDrive system. But before that there’s the newBMW M2 CS, the last of its kind, as described by Gennaro Bonafede, head of BMW M & Driving Experience in SA.
The vehicle that is being marketed in a limited range of 30 cars, of which 20 were auctioned in one night at Kyalami last week, offers the classic BMW format of six-cylinder in front, manual or automatic transmission in the middle, and pure rear-wheel drive.
The M2 CS gets aesthetic and mechanical differentiators such as black or matt gold lightweight 19-inch wheels shod with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, a new front splitter, bigger boot lid spoiler and a bonnet-lid, roof and rear diffuser crafted in carbon fibre.
Inside there are M Sport seats from the BMW M4 CS, M Sport steering wheel with Alcantara covering and a red centre marker as an option.
The motorsport armaments include adaptive M suspension with Comfort, Sport and Sport+ modes, M Sport brakes with red-painted calipers. Some units are fitted with the optional M Carbon ceramic brakes.
A dual-branch exhaust system with four stainless steel tailpipes bearing the M logo offers a raspier bleat above standard and Competition models.
The other notable thing the M2 CS receives is a 3.0l sixcylinder that churns out 331kW. That ’ s 29kW more than in the BMW M2 Competition. Torque output stays at 550Nm.
Acceleration from 0100km/h is 4.0 sec for models fitted with a seven-speed double-clutch auto and 4.2 sec for six-speed manual models. Top speed is 280km/h in both.
What s the new M2 CS like to drive? In a word, fast! Pull-away is crisp, with little to no telltale waywardness.
If fitted with ceramic brakes it allows for deeper retardation into bends while the rear end feels glued to the tarmac.
This also means early throttle out of corners, and the electronic active M Differential does a fair apportionment of torque between the pair of driven wheels.
But the M2 CS feels capable of more. There’s definitely room for an even more pared-back version with greater power, less weight and a roll cage. For now, all 30 numbered M2 CS are spoken for in SA and they will be the rare possession of a few.
The standard list price was R1,615,744 but some of the highly sought after number plaques were reportedly auctioned above the R2m mark.