BMW M2 CS Nürburgring Lap Time 2026: Independent Test vs. Factory Record

© A. Krivonosov

An independent test has shown that the BMW M2 CS can lap slightly faster than its official result. Sport Auto test driver Christian Gebhardt covered the full 20.8‑km Nordschleife in 7 minutes 25.22 seconds — 0.31 seconds quicker than BMW’s factory run.

The official time of 7:25.534 was set by BMW M engineer Jörg Weidinger on April 11, 2025. His lap was monitored by an independent organization, and the car was checked for compliance with series-production specification. So while Sport Auto’s stopwatch result beats the factory time, it doesn’t overturn the officially certified record on its own.

Both cars ran on Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tires. Sport Auto’s report also lists a time of 7:20.39 on the shorter 20.6‑km layout the magazine has used since 1997. The publication is now moving to the full 20.8‑km lap accepted for official record attempts.

The M2 CS is powered by a turbocharged inline‑six 3.0‑liter engine producing 530 hp and 650 Nm of torque. Power goes to the rear wheels only through an eight‑speed automatic. Thanks to carbon components, the car is roughly 30 kg lighter than the standard M2, and its top speed is limited to 302 km/h.

However, the title of fastest published M2 of the G87 generation doesn’t belong to the CS. A standard M2 fitted with the M Performance Track Kit posted an even faster Nordschleife lap at 7:25.068 — 0.152 seconds quicker still than Gebhardt’s time. The kit includes an adjustable front splitter, a large rear wing and coilover suspension with racing dampers.

Less than half a second separates the three results, so they demonstrate the platform’s potential rather than the outright superiority of one version. Weather, track conditions and precision through the nearly 21‑km lap’s many corners can easily reshuffle the order.