BMW M2 Competition loses weight, gains power 

Lightweight Performance is tackling the track-oriented M2 CS with its take on the BMW M2 Competition 

The new BMW M2 CS made its debut late last year, and with its closest rival being the two-time eCoty-winning Porsche Cayman GT4, it’s a car we’re rather looking forward to. German tuner Lightweight Performance, however, has devised an alternative, dropping weight and increasing power of the standard M2 Competition.

Adopting the same approach as the £75,000 CS, the tuner has replaced various components with lightweight items, fettling the suspension for better dynamic performance and including a power upgrade for more straight-line go.

> BMW M2 CS revealed to rival Porsche Cayman GT4 

Featuring Munich’s M-developed S55 3-litre turbocharged straight-six, the latest M2 has more tuning potential than most cars in its class. Factory figures come in at 404bhp and 406lb ft of torque, already up 39bhp and 37lb ft on the N55-equipped car it succeeded. Lightweight Performance, however, has cranked it to 487bhp and 482lb ft of torque – enough to worry even the flagship M4 GTS and exceeding numbers from the M2 CS by quite some margin.

Zero to 62mph is brought down by a tenth over factory to a quoted 4.3sec, with 0-124mph coming a whole two seconds sooner at 12.9sec. Most impressive is its top speed, now coming just a couple of digits away from the M4 GTS at 188mph – the standard car tops out at 155mph, or 174 with the Driver’s package.

As the tuner’s name suggests, weight reduction is always a consideration in its projects. Out goes the steel roof for a carbonfibre item, reducing weight by 6.5kg whilst lowering the centre of gravity for better handling. A new, lightweight exhaust system not only increases sound, but also lowers weight by another 7kg, while a set of 19-inch forged wheels also contribute to a 30kg overall reduction in weight. A carbon ‘GTS’ bonnet, front splitter, diffuser and rear wing also add to its more aggressive aesthetic, whilst raising downforce numbers at speed.

Partnership
Need to sell your car?
Find your best offer from over 5,000+ dealers. It’s that easy.

Aside from the reduced unsprung mass from the lightweight wheels, Bilstein Clubsport coilovers are fitted for improved dynamic abilities, with 265 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S rubber applied to all four corners for optimum traction. Proving its performance, the tuner recorded a 1:31.16 lap time around the Sachsenring in Germany, substantially quicker than the 1:34.97 of the new M2 CS.

Despite the heightened focus, Lightweight Performance ensured the M2 maintained its rear seats and features such as air conditioning, making it a useable car when you’re away from the track.

Pricing for the kit begins at €20,000 (approx. £17,600) before any bespoke options, but given that you can now find an M2 Competition for sub-£40k on the used market, the total would still fall neatly under the price tag of an M2 CS…

Recommended

AC Schnitzer’s BMW M2 is lower, grippier and meaner
AC Schnitzer G87 BMW M2
News

AC Schnitzer’s BMW M2 is lower, grippier and meaner

The G87 BMW M2 is a strong performer as standard, and AC Schnitzer has given it an added dose of focus
16 Nov 2023

Most Popular

Car pictures of the week: evo’s Car of the Year contenders
eCoty – the contenders
Features

Car pictures of the week: evo’s Car of the Year contenders

evo’s Car of the Year issue hits newsstands next week – here's a preview of what you can expect
2 Dec 2023
Best car tyres 2023: evo performance tyre test
Best car tyres 2023
Features

Best car tyres 2023: evo performance tyre test

Which tyre should you choose for your performance car? This year’s evo tyre test puts eight strong contenders through their paces to find the very bes…
1 Dec 2023
The Tesla Cybertruck has finally landed, but it’s more expensive than promised
Tesla Cybertruck
News

The Tesla Cybertruck has finally landed, but it’s more expensive than promised

After years of setbacks, Tesla has delivered the first production examples of its controversial Cybertruck pick-up
1 Dec 2023