With so many other distractions going on, it's been easy to forget that the BMW M2 CS is imminent. Which, to be blunt, is inordinately exciting: this should be the best versions of one of BMW's best recent coupes. That the M2 was very good, the Competition even better and then the M4 CS really quite brilliant has seen to a fair amount of anticipation.
In Germany the CS is already being tested, including here by sportauto. Ostensibly the test is about comparing roadgoing CS with the new CS Racing motorsport derivative, but there's more to it than that. Because last Novembersport auto tested the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 on the same track, in comparable conditions. Both are on Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, both cost about the same and both aim to be consummate road going track cars. The lap time comparison is irresistible, and inevitable.
Given they're separated by just a fraction of a second - 1:54.8 for the BMW, 1:55 for the Porsche - it's no surprise to find them so evenly matched around the lap. The M2, for example, achieves a peak speed of 249km/h down the back straight - the GT4 hits 250. The Cayman is perhaps more composed in quicker turns, the 2 Series claiming a little back in the slower ones. They're interesting to compare, even if we must concede the time the BMW will make up time by having automatic shifts rather than manual ones - what difference might that make to a lap?
That's to be discovered at a later date; for now we can celebrate the fact that the M2 CS is going to be a properly rapid track car, as well as - seemingly, from watching the video - an entertaining one as well. We can't wait to find out for certain!
Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 lap
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