M2 CS REVEALED AS BABY M CAR'S ICE SWANSONG

New model is likely to be the final M2 powered purely by combustion

- CHARLIE MARTIN

The new BMW M2 CS has been unveiled, and it could be the final version of the brand's junior sports car to feature pure combustion power.

Priced from £86,800, the stripped-out, track-focused sports car is the first variant of the 'G87' M2 to be launched and comes six years after the original M2 CS (Competition Sport).

While that car was rated at 444bhp (40bhp more than the 'F87' M2), this new CS puts out 523bhp - 50bhp more than the standard M2, using the same turbocharged 3.0-litre straight six. The increase in power takes it above its 493bhp Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS rival.

The CS's 479lb ft of torque means the model is offered exclusively with an eight-speed automatic gearbox; the manual, says BMW, is limited to 406lb ft. The German firm adds that dwindling customer demand also informed the decision not to offer a manual option in the CS.

Given that it is a CS, a key part of the brief was to again make it as light as possible. To that end, carbonfibre has been used extensively - the metal roof and boot panels have been switched out - to drop its weight by 30kg over the standard M2 for a kerb weight of 1700kg. In all, this contributes to a 0-62mph sprint time of 3.8sec.