BMW M2 CS Shatters Compact Car Record on the Nürburgring with a 7:25.5 Lap Time

BMW M has once again raised the bar for performance in the compact segment, this time with the new 2025 BMW M2 CS. The latest evolution of BMW’s smallest M car just clocked an astonishing 7:25.5-minute lap time around the legendary Nürburgring-Nordschleife, making it the fastest compact car ever to lap the 20.832-kilometer circuit.

Behind the wheel for the record run was BMW M development engineer Jörg Weidinger, who also set the previous M2 record back in April 2023. This latest time shaves an incredible 13 seconds off that effort and marks the first time a compact car has broken the 7:30 barrier on what’s often referred to as the “Green Hell.”

For context, this puts the M2 CS right in the ballpark of some of the more established mid-size performance machines from the M division. Cars like the M4 CS, M3 CS, and M4 CSL have all dipped under 7:30, with the M4 CSL holding the current crown for a BMW Group production car at 7:18.137.

But the real story here isn’t just the lap time. It’s what the M2 CS represents for enthusiasts. BMW M has managed to distill the essence of its larger, more powerful models into a smaller, lighter package without compromising on performance. Franciscus van Meel, Managing Director of BMW M GmbH, called the lap a “significant milestone,” adding that the car showcases BMW M’s ability to blend performance, technology, and driving excitement into a single machine.

Much of that performance comes from under the hood. The M2 CS is powered by a 3.0-liter straight-six engine with BMW M TwinPower Turbo technology, producing 530 horsepower and 650 Nm of torque. That’s sent to the rear wheels through an 8-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic, offering lightning-quick shifts whether you’re on a racetrack or a backroad.

BMW didn’t stop at horsepower, though. The M2 CS benefits from a host of upgrades aimed at turning it into a proper track weapon. These include model-specific engine mounts, adaptive M suspension, and a high-performance M compound brake system. The car also drops about 30 kilograms compared to the standard M2, thanks to extensive use of carbon fiber reinforced plastic throughout the body and interior.

Weight reduction plays a key role in the car’s handling and balance, and the M2 CS comes standard with forged M light-alloy wheels to keep unsprung mass to a minimum. Combined with the tuned chassis and suspension setup, it’s no surprise the M2 CS was able to conquer the Nordschleife in record time.

The Nürburgring itself is central to BMW M’s development process. Every M car is tested extensively on the track before reaching production, and the Nordschleife’s mix of high-speed sections, technical corners, and elevation changes makes it the ultimate proving ground. BMW has been tied closely to the track for over 25 years, with its M Test Centre located nearby and numerous victories in the Nürburgring 24-hour race under its belt.

Manufactured at BMW’s plant in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, the M2 CS will be a limited-production model set to launch in late summer 2025, with pricing starting at €115,000 in Germany. While official U.S. pricing hasn’t been announced yet, expect strong demand from collectors and track-day enthusiasts alike.

With this latest achievement, the M2 CS doesn’t just hold bragging rights over other compact cars — it shows that BMW M is still laser-focused on delivering purist performance cars in an age of increasing electrification and complexity. And for those who still crave the raw connection of a rear-wheel-drive, turbocharged, lightweight coupe, this one’s likely to be something special.