BMW’s onslaught of new products continues with the introduction of its new high-performance M2 CS Coupe. The vehicle’s physical debut will take place at the L.A. Auto Show later this month.
The new race-inspired two-door beast the latest product in the evolution of the Bavarian automaker’s line-up of performance vehicles. The M2 CS, the smallest of the M class products, is powered by a S55 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology.
The result is a powerplant producing 444 horsepower and 408 pound-feet of torque, propelling the diminutive racer from stop to 60 mph in as little as 3.8 seconds. The M2 CS boasts a top speed of 174 mph, the automaker reports.
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It comes with two transmission options: a 7-speed dual-clutch automaker, which is how you get that 3.8-second time or a 6-speed manual, which is a wee bit slower in the 0-to-60 sprint at 4 seconds flat. The pairing produces a wide, flat torque curve.
The engine’s linear build-up of power – and a 7,600 rpm redline – mean the engine is ready to deliver an exhilarating experience at a moment’s notice. Two, quick-spooling mon-scroll turbochargers, High precision direct injection, Valvetronic variable valve timing and Double-Vanos fully variable cam timing deliver lighting fast responses of power to the driver’s throttle inputs, BMW said.
The 6-speed manual-version of the M2 CS is equipped with rev-matching technology which blips the throttle on downshifts and lowers the engine’s revs on upshifts, making gear changes even smoother. This lends the car additional stability during hard driving on the track. Rev-matching is deactivated when DSC is switched off.
The seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission (M DCT with Drivelogic) is available as an option. It comes with paddle shifters giving the driver the option of motoring as a full automatic or shifting with the paddles. Additionally, Drivelogic provides the driver with a choice between three preconfigured driving programs: COMFORT, SPORT and SPORT+.
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The Dynamic Stability Control is supported by the standard Active M Differential, an electronically controlled multi-plate locking differential which can vary the locking effect from 0 to 100% depending upon the situation, the car’s steering angle, accelerator position, brake pressure, engine torque, wheel-speed and yaw rate.
The system activates in milliseconds, helping to improve control by reducing slippage due to wet roads. In fact, the system will function proactively in certain situations. M Dynamic Mode (MDM), which can be activated automatically by either selecting SPORT+ mode, or engaging manually via the DSC button allows for a greater degree of dynamic freedom when the driver requires it, such as on closed course track driving.
The M2 CS comes standard with the Adaptive M suspension, previously unavailable on the M2 models. It works to provide the aforementioned driving modes, such as COMFORT. The coupe’s CFRP front brace, introduced on the M2 Competition, weighs only 3.3 pounds and ties the front strut towers to the bulkhead, increasing front end stiffness and improving turn-in response and steering precision.
If you go fast, you need to stop fast as well. BMW offers two choices for brakes. The standard brake features 400 mm front vented disks
and 380 mm rear vented disks. Red-painted six-piston fixed front and four-piston fixed rear calipers apply the stopping power. However, for the first time on an M2 the M Carbon Ceramic Brake option, which delivers increased thermal resistance capabilities, reduced weight and greatly improved brake disk wear, is available.
The interior uses weight saving technology, including the center, transmission tunnel console is made from CFRP, saving over 6 pounds when compared to a standard 2 Series console. Alcantara material covers the center armrest and dash trim, which also includes an embroidered CS badge in red contrast stitching. The steering wheel is covered in Alcantara with red contrast stitching.
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The new M2 CS was developed side by side with the new M2 CS Racing model, which will be offered by BMW Motorsport as a new entry model into customer racing. BMW M GmbH and BMW Motorsport worked closely together to take the learnings from the M2 street car and from the M4 GT4 customer program and apply them to the new M2 CS Racing model. A level of cooperation which we will see repeated with select limited edition M models in the future, the company noted.
