BMW M2 now faster than the more expensive M2 CS
The BMW M2 is already a rapid car, but the brand’s own track-focused performance package has made it even quicker than the more expensive M2 CS.
It’s not often that a car brand will admit to making a more affordable vehicle faster than its halo, dearer version, but that’s what BMW has done with its latest performance upgrades for the M2.
Revealed in March, the base M2 is available with an ‘M Performance Track kit’ overseas, which adds a front splitter, wheel arch diffusers, and a GT racing-style swan-neck rear wing to increase its downforce levels.
There’s also additional ducting for the engine oil cooler, height and ride-adjustable suspension - with the ability to be lowered by up to 20mm, and with four-way rebound and compression settings - plus adjustable support bearings.
BMW M2 with M Performance Track kit
While at the time BMW didn’t say how much the upgrades helped cut lap times, we now know after test driver Jörg Weidinger lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in seven minutes and 25.068 seconds.
This was not only almost 14 seconds faster than the base M2 coupe (7:38.706) but also just under half a second quicker than the M2 CS (7:25.534), which itself features numerous upgrades over the standard model.
However, the result is more impressive when the output differences between the M2 CS and M2 with M Performance Track kit are taken into account, as the former makes 390kW and 650Nm, while the latter has to make do with only 353kW and 550Nm.
In addition to this, the M2 CS is lighter than the M2 coupe, and is understood to still weigh less than the version equipped with its performance parts.
The real surprise in the situation is the new, faster version of the M2 is more affordable than the M2 CS, at least in its home market of Germany.
There, a base M2 costs €81,300 (A$133,730) while the €23,500 (A$38,655) M Performance Track kit brings its total price up to €104,800 (A$172,385), undercutting the €116,700 (A$191,960) M2 CS.
BMW has yet to announce whether the M Performance Track kit will come to Australia.
