2020 BMW M2 CS sheds weight with a healthy dose of carbon fiber and keeps the stick shift

BMW cranked the power up for the 2020 BMW M2 CS: the 3.0-liter I6 now makes 444 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque.

The BMW M2 CS can hit 60 mph from a standing start in only 3.8 seconds.

BMW will limit the production of the M2 CS to only 2,200 cars globally.

BMW uses CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites) for body certain panels of the 2020 M2 CS shed weight.

Ahead of its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, BMW reveals the M2 CS with more power and no shortage of carbon fiber.

Following the path laid by the recent BMW M4 CS, and a handful of other BMW models since the E9-era, the M2 is joining the exclusive CS club. Shedding weight and bumping power, the BMW M2 CS is the range-topping variant of the popular 2-Series lineup and will make its official debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this month. Like we saw with the M4 CS a few years back, the M2 CS will get a healthy dose of carbon fiber for its body panels, which is where the majority of its dieting takes place.

Powering the M2 CS is still a 3.0-liter turbocharged I6, but it will get a significant boost in performance for this special edition. Now making 444 hp and 406 lb-ft, the I6 can rocket this M2 to 60 mph in only 3.8 seconds. Mated to the I6 is either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DCT. While the six-speed manual would be our choice, if you want to get that quick 0-60 time, you’ll have to check the box for the DCT.

From the transmission, the power goes through the Active M locking differential before being routed to the tires. The active locking differential is electronically controlled and clutch based. The diff is quick, responding with full locking power in 150 milliseconds, and will help find traction for you while you’re storming from the line.

Also like the M4 CS, the M2 CS receives a healthy dose of carbon-fiber goodies. BMW is using CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer) composites for the hood, top panel and a slew of smaller components. The hood is half the weight of the standard M2 hood, and the top is the only way to get a carbon-fiber roof on a 2-Series. The front splitter, rear diffuser and exterior mirrors are also made of CFRP to shed weight where BMW can.

The interior echoes the light-weighting mentality with material choice and design. BMW went with CFRP for the center console to save a surprising 6 pounds. The interior isn’t completely focused on weight savings and still features illuminated doorsills and faux-suede covering the steering wheel, armrests and center console. There’s also faux-suede on the seat, but it shares its covering duty with black leather.

Bringing the M2 CS to a stop is a pair of six-piston calipers up front clamping 15.75-inch vented rotors with a pair of four-piston calipers clamping 14.96-inch rotors in the back. Though, if iron rotors don’t tickle your fancy, for the first time on an M2, you’ll be able to opt for carbon-ceramic brakes if you need that extra stopping power on a track.

You’ll find the active BMW M suspension and steering standard, which means there will be no shortage of combinations to experience. Speaking of suspension, the folks at BMW shaved some weight there, too. In the front, there’s a CFRP strut brace that shaves 3.3 pounds off the standard M2. Out back, BMW is using forged aluminum for its control arms, suspension links and wheel hubs.

All of this sits on a set of staggered 19-inch wheels: 9.0 inch wide in the front and 10.0 inch wide in the rear. Those wheels can be wrapped in either Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires or “mixed performance tires,” per BMW.

There’s no word on price, but with only 2,200 of these hitting the streets globally, it won’t be cheap. It might start with a little less sticker shock than the M4 CS’s $103,100 price tag, but probably not by much. We won’t know how much of a price premium the M2 CS will have over the standard M2’s price of $59,895 until closer to the car’s launch.

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