BABY SPICE

IN ONE SENSE, THE M2 CS IS JUST A PRICIER, SHOWIER M2 COMPETITION. BUT IN ANOTHER, IT’S THE BEST-DRIVING M CAR YOU CAN BUY

- GREG KABLE

TO SAVE YOU THE SUSPENSE, we’ll just say straight-up that you’re looking at the best driver’s car BMW produces. High praise, we’ll admit. But after a day spent lapping the new M2 CS around a circuit in Germany, we can’t think of any other current BMW that delivers quite the same combination of performance, balance and sheer attitude as this.

You’ll remember the M4 CS. This car takes the same philosophy. The M2 CS is a last hurrah for company’s junior M car prior to the introduction of a new second-generation model in 2021. Its production isn’t officially limited, but with the M2 set to cease to production in September, you’ll need to be quick with your order. At $139,900, it costs a significant $32,000 more than the highly regarded M2 Competition. Expensive? Yes, but no more so than its prime competitor, the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4, which is listed at $207,000.

One look at it is to realise that you’re not just paying for the promise of elevated dynamics. There are also quite a few expensive-looking parts that serve to differentiate it from the M2 Competition. Among them are a new-look front bar with a carbonfibre splitter element; a carbonfibre-reinforced-plastic bonnet with a large central air duct and a carbonfibre roof panel – all of which are shared with BMW’s new M2 GT4 racecar.

There’s also a larger carbonfibre rear spoiler, along with a reworked carbonfibre rear diffuser and lightweight 19in forged aluminium wheels, which offer the choice of Michelin Pilot Super Sport or, as worn by our test car, more track-focused Pilot Sport Cup tyres. Both are 245/35 front and 265/35 in profile.