Shift in strategy: prominently recognized automaker reverts to traditional gasoline engines
Reverse Course: BMW to Resume Production of M2 CS with Internal Combustion Engine
A ground-breaking move has been announced by BMW, one of the world's leading car manufacturers. contrary to earlier plans, the company will produce its popular M2 CS model with an internal combustion engine (ICE) in 2026.
In recent years, BMW had committed to electric mobility, with plans to produce the M2 CS exclusively as an electric vehicle. However, in spring 2025, the company unexpectedly unveiled a U-turn, revealing intentions to resume production of ICE and hybrid models, including the M2 CS.
The decision is unusual in the increasingly electric-focused automotive industry. BMW's decision to equip the 2026 M2 CS with a high-performance gasoline engine demonstrates a contrast with other manufacturers focusing solely on electrification.
The 2026 M2 CS will boast a powerful ICE—a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder producing 523 horsepower, harkening back to the legacy of the earlier M2 CS model. The car will be manufactured at BMW's Tychy plant in Poland, which already produced previous models.
In countries where electric cars have yet to gain widespread acceptance, the M2 CS with an internal combustion engine will be the primary focus of sales.
The M2 CS has long been a popular model for BMW, with over 1.5 million units sold worldwide since 2007. After first hitting the market in 1957, new models with modern designs and features have since emerged. The electric version has been available since 2020.
This move signifies a notable return of an ICE performance model at a time when many manufacturers are moving toward electric vehicles. As Audi plans to transition the A4 to a fully electric platform by 2026, eliminating the internal combustion engine in that model, and Toyota continues to offer hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of models like the RAV4, BMW's decision stands out as a departure from the predominant trend in the industry.
- Other manufacturers in the automotive industry are focusing solely on electrification, while BMW has decided to equip the 2026 M2 CS with a high-performance gasoline engine.
- The 2026 M2 CS will be a strong competitor in countries where electric cars have not gained widespread acceptance, as it will be powered by an internal combustion engine (ICE).
- In contrast to earlier plans, BMW will produce the popular M2 CS model with an ICE in 2026, marking a notable return of an ICE performance model in a largely electrified industry.
- The resumption of production of ICE and hybrid models, including the M2 CS, is unusual in the increasingly electrified manufacturing industry, as finance and lifestyle preferences shift towards electric vehicles.
