The 2026 BMW M2 CS is the most extreme version of Bavaria's smallest sports coupe, and it's so powerful (523 horsepower), that it can not have a manual transmission. For driving enthusiasts who want a special M2 but want to row their own gears, BMW now has a new variant. Say hello to the 2026 BMW M2 Turbo Design Edition, a special edition homage to the BMW 2002 Turbo from 1974-1975.
BMW doesn't quote an exact figure, but says the Turbo Design Edition will be produced in "extremely limited numbers" starting in January 2026. The car is priced at $82,900 (not including $1,175 destination and handling), which is significantly more than a base M2 at $68,200 but less than the M2 CS, which costs $98,600. As we alluded to, unlike the M2 CS, the M2 Turbo Design Edition will be sold exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission.
Paying Homage To An Icon
2026 BMW M2 Turbo Design Edition front above
2026 BMW M2 Turbo Design Edition
BMW
For those who aren't steeped in BMW history, the 2002 was BMW's first turbocharged production car, powered by a motorsport-derived 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 170 horsepower. This M2 produces significantly more, which we will discuss in the next section. More importantly, the 2002 Turbo was distinguished visually with athletic fender flares, a rear spoiler, and BMW Motorsport stripes featuring '70s turbo graphics that look simply iconic. BMW even wrote "2002 turbo" backwards on the front air dam, so it would be read the right way in a rearview mirror.
While the new car doesn't have graphics on the bumper, it does have a reversed "turbo" graphic on the hood, as an homage to the 2002 Turbo. And that's not all. The car is finished in Alpine White, and then hand-painted with motorsports stripes along the hood and trunk. These are not stickers. Sadly, the side stripe was not replicated here. The car features a carbon fiber roof with additional tri-color stripes, black carbon fiber spoiler, and black M dual-spoke 930M wheels. Customers can also opt for the Matt Gold Bronze 1000M wheels ($6,266) pictured here.
No Automatic Here
2026 BMW M2 Turbo Design Edition shifter
2026 BMW M2 Turbo Design Edition
BMW
Stepping inside, you will find a one-choice-only six-speed manual transmission; the M2's eight-speed automatic is not available on the Turbo Design Edition. Part of the price increase over a standard M2 can be explained by what comes as standard. It gets full adaptive LED lights with M shadowline trim and automatic high beams, carbon fiber trim, Live Cockpit Professional with a head-up display, heated steering wheel, and a wireless phone charger. M Sport seats come standard with M color stripes, but M carbon bucket seats ($4,500) are also available.
Power comes from the same 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged S58 inline-six engine found in a standard M2, producing 473 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. With drive going to the rear wheels via a manual transmission, zero to 60 mph takes 4.1 seconds en route to a 155-mph limited top speed. Buyers can unlock a 177-mph top speed with the M Driver's Package ($2,500). If you want an M2 that stands out from the rest, but don't want the stiffer, automatic-only CS model, this new Turbo Design Edition seems like a cool option.