[Nine Lives]

Originally Posted by Nine Lives

It looks like the guy from the German forum might be right after all.The only thing to confirm now before anything else is the release date of March '17.

Will the prediction hold,and kudos to him for sticking his neck out either way.

Originally Posted by BMW M3 CRT

Please read the edit (first part) of the first post!

OK,I've gone back to page 1 and read your edit which was made six days after the original post.There has been considerable progress made on this thread during that time frame and dozens of further comments.

It might have been more helpful to have made a new post with that info.

It still doesn't answer the question though,so if it's not now March '17,where does it stand now in the grand scheme of things ?

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by BMW M3 CRT

Edit:
Update: 03/2017 is not correct by some few month. M2 production ends in 2017 and car will be replaced by an M2 CS with S55 - see/read Bimmertoday article

Still not convinced by your replacement suggestion.

My guess is that the M2 gets the 2er LCI (Life Cycle Impulse) next Summer (MY 2018) + a new variant will be added to the M2 line-up: the M2 CS. Thus the base M2 + the M2 CS (more expensive and harder to get). First gen M2 production is scheduled till 2020. Subsequently: second gen M2.

Porsche didn't stop offering the Cayman S after introducing the Cayman GTS and Cayman GT4.

If BMW would replace the base M2 with the M2 CS, it would undermine its "entry model" strategy targetting new younger customers for the ///M brand: the M2 CS will be harder edged and more expensive. Diversification helps to remain attractive to potential customers driving BMW and/or premium models of competing brands (Porsche, Audi, Mercedes, etc.).

[BimmerMat135]

Originally Posted by N54

So where does a CS fit in the model hierarchy ?

Is it above or below a competition pack model?

I can't see them make a more expensive M2 than the M4 actually is unless it a very rare model. But then the M2 isn't a value proposition anymore which doesn't make sense. I would expect base M4 pricing at the most.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

There will be another M2 model but whether it will be called GTS,CSL,Competition or CS is not known to myself yet.
The 2002 Hommage car is basically an M2 but with some specific tweaks and you will see spy photographs of M2's although nothing is apparent visually at first it is all underneath.

Or videos like this one. The sound of this M2 test mule doesn't sound like the N55 engine of the base M2.

Compare with the higher pitched sound of the base M2 test mules: here.

The one who filmed this video commented: "This time I have filmed a new BMW M2 (with BMW M4 engine) that is testing on the Nurburgring. I have filmed many many BMW M2's on the Nurburgring and this one is louder than any other stock M2 that I've heard! Is BMW busy with a BMW M2 CS (ClubSport), CSL, GTS..?"

[rouxeny]

It makes sense for this to be in addition to the current M2, and not a replacement. If it's a true limited edition, I could see it going for more than M3/M4 money. Seems difficult to imagine it would be just a competition pack.

[PackPride85]

Let's not forget about the already existing production capacity issue at Leipzig. They're now going to add another model to this line that requires different parts.

[Karmic Man]

S55 for sure. There is No front mount intercooler visible on this car behind the front bumper bar

M2 (N55) Air to air intercooler



M2 (S55) Water to air intercooler

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by Karmic Man

S55 for sure. There is No front mount intercooler visible on this car behind the front bumper bar

Smart observation.

[bradleyland]

Originally Posted by N54

So where does a CS fit in the model hierarchy ?

Is it above or below a competition pack model?

I think we can look to the past to understand what BMW will do with this car. Have a look at this post from Scott.

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

There will be another M2 model but whether it will be called GTS,CSL,Competition or CS is not known to myself yet.
The 2002 Hommage car is basically an M2 but with some specific tweaks and you will see spy photographs of M2's although nothing is apparent visually at first it is all underneath.

It sounds like this car is going to get a designation: M2 CS, M2 GTS, etc. Contrast this to standard series production models like the M4 with the ZHP package. Colloquially, we call this the M4 ZHP or M4 CP, or M4 Comp Pkg, but as far as BMW are concerned, it's an M4 with an option package. This is very different from specialty models like the M4 GTS, or even (recent) historical models like the E46 M3 CSL, E92 M3 GTS, or E90 M3 CRT.

All of the historical examples we have of specialty models — cars with their own model, not just an option package — were limited run cars with a price bump to reflect their limited run status.

If this model gets the S55 and a special model designation like M2 CSL/GTS/etc, I think we can also expect to see a limited run and pricing to match.

Strategically, these models work for BMW in two ways:

They create a halo car within the model-line. You can certainly go much further back, but the E46 M3 CSL is a good example of this strategy. That car is widely regarded as one of the best drivers cars of its time.

They create a price anchor for high-end BMW products. BMW needs consumers to remain accustomed to the idea that BMW is a premium brand. Selling-out models at $130k helps maintain that idea.

So treating history as a template for the future, I think it's pretty easy to predict that the M2 CS/CSL/GTS/etc will be limited-run, and will carry a price tag that makes sense for BMW, but not so much enthusiasts.

[technik330]

Originally Posted by M3 Number 86

It would destroy the GT4 though no?

In the event that were to happen, Porsche would most likely release a Cayman GT4 RS and that'd be that.

[PackPride85]

Originally Posted by technik330

In the event that were to happen, Porsche would most likely release a Cayman GT4 RS and that'd be that.

I don't know about that. I've ridden in a GT4 and that chassis is on a whole different level than my M2.

[bradleyland]

Originally Posted by ried

For more money than a Porsche GT4? Get real.

Try buying a GT4. Same will go for the M2 GTS / CS.

These cars aren't priced to sell, they're priced for the market. MSRP on a Cayman GT4 is what, $85k? How many do you think sold for that price? Likewise for the M4 GTS. Is that car "worth" +$130k? You can buy a Corvette Grand Sport for a fraction of the cost, and the Corvette GS will out lap it.

The pricing on these models are designed to target a very small, very exclusive market.

[Franzino]

Originally Posted by PackPride85

I don't know about that. I've ridden in a GT4 and that chassis is on a whole different level than my M2.

Indeed...why would a M2 CSL destroy a GT4? The GT4 is awesome...and in my opinion a M2 has to be the lower in price or equally to even make sense of buying instead of a GT4. Let's wait and see what happens and how the M2 CSL is going to be.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by technik330

In the event that were to happen, Porsche would most likely release a Cayman GT4 RS and that'd be that.

Probably *also * already in the works..

[technik330]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

Probably *also * already in the works..

I have no doubt about it, but at least we can all appreciate the relatively more realistic access to the M2.

A GTS / CSL M2 would be great, just hope it comes to fruition instead of drawn out conversation encompassing exhaust notes on mules.

[C230AMG]

Originally Posted by KevinM

While it will be a cool car, I agree that if produced it will only be for halo car purposes. "Regular" enthusiasts will never be able to own one - if not for the cost, the fact that the limited production run will be sold out long before the cars are built.

Sadly, its the speculators that are the ones who are gonna benefit financially flipping rare cars like these.

[C230AMG]

Originally Posted by PackPride85

Unless its a limited edition its going to cannibalize m4 sales which is what they were trying to avoid with the M2. The only way this makes sense is if its priced significantly higher than the base M2 and limited. A GTS model for something like $100k would make sense if it had a detuned M4 GTS motor in it and a bunch of CF bits.

I don't believe so, M4 GTS...

[technik330]

Originally Posted by PackPride85

I don't know about that. I've ridden in a GT4 and that chassis is on a whole different level than my M2.

I'm aware they're two entirely different cars, was just trying to avoid directly bashing the M2. I genuinely believe the M2 is a competent and special car, but a GT4 is a different level; who knows what a GTS / CSL version could do against a GT4?

The GT4 RS, if it comes to life, will be something quite special and we're all lucky to be alive during a time when cars are 80-90+% racecars, factory, these days (at the GTS / RS level).

[ryem3]

[/URL][/QUOTE]

Does this really look like a halo lightweight car?

[bradleyland]

Originally Posted by ryem3

Does this really look like a halo lightweight car?

Lemme help you out here.

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

There will be another M2 model but whether it will be called GTS,CSL,Competition or CS is not known to myself yet.
The 2002 Hommage car is basically an M2 but with some specific tweaks and you will see spy photographs of M2's although nothing is apparent visually at first it is all underneath.

To answer your question, no. No it does not.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by ryem3

Does this really look like a halo lightweight car?

Early test mules start with the body of an existing car.

Below: M2 test mule of the past: M235i in Valencia Orange with Coral Red interior + camo, but hosting under the hood very likely already the N55 M2 engine.

[BMWPWR]

Originally Posted by Artemis

Smart observation.

Doesn't the B58 have water to air as well?