New BMW M2 CS is the Fastest Production Compact Car

The new BMW M2 CS became the fastest production compact car by completing a lap around the legendary Nürburgring track in 7:25.5, beating the previous record by eight seconds.

The car was driven by BMW M development engineer Jörg Weidinger on the Nordschleife, the longest route in the complex, covering 20.7 kilometers, which “consolidates BMW M's reputation as a manufacturer of high-performance vehicles that excel both on the road and on the track,” said the Bavarian firm when announcing the milestone.

“The BMW M2 CS has achieved a significant milestone with its lap time of 7:25.5 on the Nordschleife, demonstrating the potential of combining performance, technology, and exceptional driving dynamics in a single vehicle,” said Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH.

The executive said he was proud that the M2 CS “has once again set a new benchmark in the compact car class with this lap time.”

The previous best time for a BMW M2 was set by Weidinger himself in April 2023, completing the course in 7:38.7. Two years later, he beat this time by 13 seconds, breaking the 7:30 class record for the first time.

With the new best time of 7:25.5, the BMW M2 CS joins the BMW M4 CS, BMW M4 CSL, and BMW M3 CS as the newest member of the sub-7:30 club. The BMW M4 CSL also holds the best lap time ever recorded for a production BMW, with an official and notarized time of 7:18.137.

Often referred to as the “Green Hell,” the Nordschleife circuit is considered one of the most demanding and challenging in the world. At 20.8 kilometers long and with more than 70 turns, it places the highest demands on both drivers and vehicles.

A fast lap on this circuit demonstrates a vehicle's performance and handling capabilities. Lap times at the Nordschleife are the standard for measuring a vehicle's sporting performance and driving dynamics.

Record laps are supervised by a neutral testing body, and vehicles are inspected to ensure they are in optimal condition. This detailed inspection ensures that record laps are completed with production vehicles.

The new BMW M2 CS will begin production in August at the San Luis Potosí plant alongside the limited-edition M2 Racing.