The new BMW M2 CS has claimed the title of the fastest compact car to lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife, completing the 20.832 km circuit in under 7 minutes and 30 seconds for the first time. This marks a major achievement in the segment of compact high-performance sports cars. Additionally, a new record has been set for Touring models in the famously challenging “Green Hell,” combining race-inspired engineering with practical everyday performance.
On April 11, 2025, BMW M engineer Jörg Weidinger piloted the BMW M2 CS around the Nordschleife in 7 minutes and 25.5 seconds, surpassing the previous compact car record by eight seconds. This performance not only redefines expectations for compact sports cars but also further establishes BMW M’s expertise in building vehicles that deliver on both track and road.
BMW M GmbH CEO Franciscus van Meel praised the achievement, emphasizing how the M2 CS demonstrates the successful blend of power, innovation, and dynamic handling in one vehicle. He highlighted the pride in setting a new benchmark for the compact segment.
Alongside this achievement, the BMW M3 CS Touring also set a record in the mid-size category with a lap time of 7:29.490 minutes—becoming the fastest Touring model ever recorded on the Nordschleife.
Van Meel added that from its inception, the M3 CS Touring was engineered to raise the bar in driving dynamics, and its sub-7:30 lap time proves it delivers the perfect mix of race car DNA and daily usability.
A Legacy of Speed Continues
Back in April 2023, BMW development driver Jörg Weidinger set the fastest lap for a BMW M2 at 7:38.7 minutes. Two years later, he shattered that record by 13 seconds in the new M2 CS, dipping below the 7:30-minute mark—a milestone for compact sports cars. This performance highlights not only the M2 CS’s capabilities but also the engineering excellence of BMW M GmbH.
BMW’s success didn’t stop there. The M3 CS Touring set a new lap record for mid-size Touring models on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, with a time of 7:29.490 minutes. This surpassed the previous Touring record, held by the M3 Touring from 2022, by over five seconds. Weidinger once again piloted the car, becoming the first to break the 7:30 barrier in a Touring body style.
The mid-size performance category is now led by the latest BMW M models. The M4 CSL is the fastest with a 7:18.137 lap, followed by the M4 CS (7:21.989) and the M3 CS (7:28.760). The M3 CS Touring, only slightly behind, confirms its place as a high-performance all-rounder—truly a “One Car Solution.”
BMW M and Nürburgring: A Natural Fit
BMW M’s connection to the Nürburgring is rooted in the brand’s dedicated Test Centre at the track. This facility, ideally located and fully equipped, plays a central role in the development and extreme testing of new models. For over 25 years, BMW M’s presence has been deeply integrated into the track’s identity, highlighted by landmarks like the M Power Grandstand and M Bridge.
Through the BMW M Driving Experience, enthusiasts can get behind the wheel of M cars on the famed “Green Hell” under expert instruction. The M Power Showroom, revamped in 2021, further underscores the importance of the Nürburgring as BMW M’s spiritual home.
The Nürburgring Nordschleife, with its 20.832 km and more than 70 corners, is one of the world’s toughest racetracks. It demands top-tier vehicle dynamics and driver skill. Lap times recorded here are considered a true test of a car’s performance and are verified by independent bodies to ensure production authenticity.
