Article SummaryBMW appears to have something in store for the M2 CS, as the Competition Sport could return.The prototype’s disguise doesn’t appear to hide anything that we haven’t seen, but BMW must’ve had its reasons for hiding the front and rear.We have a couple of ideas of what BMW may be testing, but it’s all speculative at this point.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s been nearly four years since BMW took the wraps off the second-generation M2. Munich has been improving the G87 formula ever since, with more horsepower and torque, a limited-run hardcore CS, and the newly launched xDrive. Since the compact sports coupe is reportedly staying in production for another three years or so, we haven\u2019t seen the last of it.<\/p>\n
If this spy video is any indication, the M division is cooking up something related to the M2 CS<\/a>. We\u2019d rule out an old prototype for which BMW simply didn\u2019t bother removing the camouflage. After all, this generation of the Competition Sport was revealed more than a year ago. The ducktail spoiler is a dead giveaway that we\u2019re dealing with a test vehicle related to the CS, since no other M2 flavor gets the same aggressive rear styling.<\/p>\n To be honest, the prototype\u2019s disguise doesn\u2019t seem to conceal anything we haven\u2019t seen before. That said, BMW must have a good reason for going through the trouble of applying its distinctive camo to the front and rear sections of this mystery M2 CS. As for what the company may be testing, it doesn\u2019t look like an aero upgrade derived from the newly launched M Performance Track Kit<\/a>.<\/p>\n Manual Or xDrive M2 CS? It Can\u2019t Be Both<\/p>\n Okay, then what else? There are a couple of possibilities that spring to mind, but bear in mind that we\u2019re about to enter speculative territory. If the M2 CS does return for another special edition, it wouldn\u2019t make sense to reheat the same soup. Instead, there could be some hardware changes, and we can think of two: a manual gearbox or all-wheel drive. A combination of both is highly unlikely, since all xDrive-equipped M cars come strictly with two pedals.<\/p>\n Given that the M3 CS has returned for a three-pedal Handschalter<\/a>, perhaps BMW wants to replicate the 6MT formula for the M2 CS. The newly launched all-wheel-drive M2 opens the possibility of a CS version, but maybe it\u2019s too soon for that. Company officials have not ruled out an M2 CSL<\/a>, though if it does get the green light, it would likely serve as the G87\u2019s grand finale. Consequently, we shouldn\u2019t hold our breath for the ultimate version to arrive before 2028.<\/p>\n Of course, we mustn\u2019t rule out the possibility that BMW could be testing something other than a special edition. This CS prototype could be a testbed for new components that may go into a future M car, not necessarily an M2. Either way, the disguise has the opposite effect, as it draws attention. Had BMW kept the car camo-free, its prototype would have blended into traffic.<\/p>\n Regardless of what we\u2019re dealing with here, BMW M is up to something. We just don\u2019t know what.<\/p>\n