We lined all of the hard-hitting details concerning the new M2 CS, so how about one thing a bit extra superfluous? The second era of BMW’s Competitors Sport compact coupe features a characteristic not discovered on current CS-badged fashions. Nicely, “characteristic” could be a little bit of a stretch. Lo and behold, there are illuminated door trim panels with “CS” lettering.
They’re linked to the usual ambient lighting, permitting homeowners to vary the colour to their liking. When switched off, that part of the door panel reveals a carbon construction. The M2 CS in any other case incorporates a acquainted cabin, with carbon bucket seats, however this time with illuminated CS logos. To drive the purpose house, BMW additionally installs new entry sill plates with a big M2 CS script in pink. Different tweaks embody a flat-bottomed Alcantara steering wheel and carbon fiber-reinforced plastic shift paddles. CFRP can be used for the middle console.
We admit the light-up CS logos look neat at midnight and assist distinguish the cabin from a normal M2’s inside. It received’t be lengthy earlier than the aftermarket replicates this manufacturing facility bling with customized mods tailor-made to an everyday G87. The age of pretend inside badging is upon us. However let’s be actual: lovers would gladly commerce this gimmick for one thing with extra substance. We’re speaking a couple of six-speed handbook gearbox, which, sadly, isn’t coming to the M2 CS.
M boss Frank van Meel advised us final weekend on the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este that solely the eight-speed Steptronic computerized transmission can deal with the engine’s full potential. Had they retained the three-pedal setup, the automobile would’ve made lower than 500 horsepower. One other future by-product of the M2 can even eschew the clutch pedal, because it’s laborious to think about the long-rumored xDrive variant pairing with a stick shift.
That’s to not say the handbook is dying. The all-wheel-drive M2, coming in 2026, received’t change the common mannequin with its do-it-yourself gearbox. There’s a great likelihood BMW will hold the 6MT till the very finish of the automobile’s life cycle, so you continue to have just a few good years left to row your personal gears.