BMW Teases Possibility of Building the Ultimate M2 CSL

BMW has officially pulled the covers off the 2026 M2 CS, marking the most potent version of the 2 Series coupe to date. Packing an impressive 523 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, this compact performance machine delivers serious muscle in a small, agile package. The power bump is so extreme that BMW opted not to offer a manual transmission, making it clear this is a track-focused beast.

But with several models across BMW’s range receiving the coveted CSL (Competition Sport Lightweight) treatment, the question now is: could the M2 be next in line? The automaker hasn’t ruled it out, and that leaves the door wide open. In fact, signs point to the possibility of an M2 CSL emerging before the decade is out—one that could push performance and lightweight engineering even further.

No Confirmation, But Hints Keep Hope Alive

At last week’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, BMW Blog pressed BMW M’s head of development, Dirk Häcker, on whether we might see more M2 variants in the future—particularly a lightweight CSL version. While Häcker stopped short of confirming anything, his response left the door wide open: “I think it’s one of the options we can perhaps discuss in the next years because we have started with the car two years ago. It could be an option. The point is, what is the next big step to increase performance? It’s possible, but there’s no decision to do that.”

So while there’s no green light yet, BMW’s top performance minds aren’t ruling it out either. That’s a promising sign for enthusiasts hoping to see an even sharper, more extreme M2 in the near future.

CSL May Not Be the Next Step—xDrive Could Be First

While a CSL variant may be on the table, the next likely evolution of the M2 could be the addition of BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system. According to reports—and in line with how BMW has structured its M4 lineup with rear-wheel-drive and xDrive options before introducing the M4 CSL—an M2 xDrive is said to be actively under consideration, if not already quietly in development.

Back in March, rumors pointed to the M2 xDrive being in the works, but BMW M’s Dirk Häcker has since clarified that no final decision has been made. Still, if development is underway, the all-wheel-drive M2 could break cover as early as the end of this year.

The CSL Badge Has History—And Potential for Redemption

Interestingly, the idea of an M2 CSL isn’t entirely new. BMW once toyed with the concept, but it never made it to production. Now, with the success of the M4 CSL, there’s room to revisit the idea—this time with more purpose and greater market appeal.

A future M2 CSL would likely follow a similar formula: strip weight by removing the rear seats, dial up the aggression with further weight-saving measures, and possibly squeeze out a few more horsepower. The M4 CSL, which makes 543 hp, shows that there’s room to push performance even further beyond the M2 CS’s 523 hp. Expect the M2 CSL to stick with a rear-wheel-drive layout for purity and weight balance, and like the CS, it would probably forgo a manual transmission entirely in favor of a performance-tuned automatic.

If it happens, don’t expect it to come cheap. The 2026 M2 CS already starts at over $98,000, and a CSL would easily push pricing into six-figure territory—especially once enthusiasts begin checking boxes for track-oriented upgrades.

BMW has technically already built an M2 CSL—but it was a one-off prototype based on the previous-generation M2, kept under wraps until it was revealed in 2022. That car never reached production, but it proved BMW was thinking seriously about the idea, even back then.

As for the current-generation 2 Series and M2, both are expected to remain in production through at least 2029, giving BMW ample time to develop and launch new performance variants. With strong demand for high-performance models and continued success from M-badged cars, the market appears more than ready for a potential M2 CSL—or even multiple new variants—before the decade is out.