End of year arrival for the most powerful rear-drive M car yet.

SMALL has just gone extra large.

That’s the deal with the BMW M2 CS, announced as an end-of-2025 starter for New Zealand for $206,900 - plus another $19k of you order in the optional carbon brakes.

The regular retail is $60,400 above that of the ‘everyman’ M2, but there’s a lot going on the explain the premium - the big headline is that it’s the most powerful rear-drive M car you can buy.

Thanks to engine management changes, peak power from the familiar, twin-turbocharged straight-six is up 37kW to a somewhat significant 395kW, this coming to full strength at a sure-to-be strident (but still 1000rpm short of the redline) 6250rpm.

Torque output meantime increases by 50Nm to 650Nm; this coming into peak at 2650 and staying in play through to 5730rpm.

As in all M2s, the CS gets an active exhaust with four outlets in the rear bumper. In Europe, this can upgrade to titanium mufflers.

There won't be a manual gearbox offered, but the eight speed auto has a fully manual setting, as well as three different maps.

Naturally, all power is sent to the rear wheels only, via the usual electronically controlled limited-slip differential, and BMW quotes a 0-100kmh time of 3.8 seconds. The CS has the M Driver's Package by default, so the top speed hits 302kmh.

Ride height has been dropped 8mm, to the benefit of the centre of gravity, while the springs, dampers and electronics have all been updated. Tweaks are made to the adaptive damping, the stability control, the power steering, M Sport differential calibration and the braking system.

BMW fits the M2 CS with track tyres by default (275/35 ZR19 at the front, 285/30 ZR20 at the back), but buyers can instead choose 'ultra-track' or standard high-performance tyres at no extra cost. They're wrapped around rims finished in matt 'Gold Bronze’.

While it will be considered an unashamed nod to racing-focused BMWs of the past, including the 2002 Turbo and the 3.0 CSL ‘Batmobile’, the rear wing does serve valid purpose, being intrinsic to the aero package.

The CS also has a carbon-fibre roof and exposed-carbon rear diffuser, plus a front splitter.

The interior also gets a rev up. Figure-hugging M Carbon bucket seats are standard, with cutouts to allow the fitment of a harness and even a removable head restraint section to accommodate a driver wearing a helmet.

In front of the driver is a flat-bottomed steering wheel, now trimmed in Alcantara, with optional heating.

The bodywork takes CS badging and there are more logos everywhere inside, from the door sills to the centre console to the door cards.

CS will only be available in one of four exterior paint colours - M Portimao Blue metallic, M Brooklyn Grey metallic, BMW Individual Velvet Blue metallic or Sapphire Black metallic.