Currently reading: New BMW M8 Competition: 616bhp super-coupe nears production

4.4-litre V8-powered M8 Coupé charges up the Goodwood hillclimb before deliveries begin in October

The new four-wheel-drive BMW M8 Coupé is the most powerful and fastest two-door model yet sold by the German car maker, and has made its UK debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed

All the news from the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2019

Initially revealed in Competition form, the M8 is the latest in a growing line-up of performance models from BMW’s M division. It builds on the strengths of the M850i, with a powertrain shared with the BMW M5 and a chassis honed during a 24-month development programme at the Nürburgring. 

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The now familiar twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 offers up to 616bhp and a top speed of 190mph in top-of-the-line Competition guise, thanks to tweaks to the induction system and more rigid engine mountings than the standard M8. Peak power is produced at 6000rpm, with 553lb ft delivered between 1800 and 5800rpm. BMW quotes a 0-62mph time of 3.2sec for the M8 Competition in Coupé form, with the Convertible one-tenth slower over the same sprint. 

The regular M8 uses a slightly detuned version of the V8 producing 592bhp – the same as the standard M5. Peak power appears at 6000rpm and the same 553lb ft as the Competition model is delivered between a slightly narrower rev band, from 1800-5600rpm. 

The M8’s power figure is 69bhp more than that of the turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 used by the M850i, which shares the M8’s torque figure. The 0-62mph time for the standard M8 is 3.3sec for the Coupé, and 3.4sec for the Convertible. Both weigh 1885kg and are limited to a nominal top speed of 155mph, although this can be raised to 190mph with an optional Driver’s Package that also brings tyres with a higher speed rating.

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As with the M850i, the Convertible uses a multi-layer fabric roof that stows in a dedicated compartment at the rear. The model enters BMW’s M line-up as a replacement for the rear-wheel-drive M6 Convertible and a high-end rival to the likes of the Mercedes-AMG S63 Cabriolet

Key identifying features of the new BMW include a uniquely styled bumper, M badging in the grille and side air vents, 20in M-Sport wheels, M-Sport mirror housings, a boot deck lip spoiler and a rear bumper with a wide diffuser element and BMW M’s quad round tailpipe treatment. 

At 4867mm long, 1907mm wide and 1362mm high, the M8 Coupé is 36mm shorter, 8mm wider and 12mm lower than the discontinued M6 Coupé. It also uses a wheelbase that is 24mm shorter than that of its predecessor at 2827mm, with corresponding track widths that are reduced by 4mm at the front, at 1627mm, and increased by 20mm at the rear, at 1632mm. 

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Inside there are a number of traditional M division elements, including the latest M-Sport steering wheel, stainless steel pedal caps, heavily contoured M-Sport seats, unique M-Sport digital instruments, M-specific graphics for the infotainment system and a newly designed M-sport gear lever. 

The M8’s four-wheel drive system draws on developments brought to the latest M5 and offers the choice between standard 4WD, 4WD Sport and, with the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system switched off, a pure rear-wheel-drive 2WD setting. 

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Underpinning the new BMW M flagship is an adaptive M suspension system with double wishbones at the front and a five-link arrangement at the rear, together with variable damper control. 20in wheels feature on both variants, shod in 275/35 front and 285/35 rear tyres. The steering uses a further-developed version of the M850i’s electric power steering system, with an M-specific tune for the electric assistance and variable ratio. 

The M8 is now available to order, with prices starting at £123,435 and first deliveries set to take place in October.

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Thekrankis 4 July 2019

Mmmmmmmm

I like this!

 

Long, Low and Mean.

BMW have managed not to trash the styling on this hot beast.

spqr 5 June 2019

Did you know

Symanski once had a BMW that was not all that? It was not an M8 or even a car made in the last 20 years but if the forum waits for a few minites he will tell us all about it for the next 3 days.

fordraptorbmwm5 5 June 2019

spqr wrote:

spqr wrote:

Symanski once had a BMW that was not all that? It was not an M8 or even a car made in the last 20 years but if the forum waits for a few minites he will tell us all about it for the next 3 days.

whats wrong about that?

Luap 5 June 2019

fordraptorbmwm5 wrote:

fordraptorbmwm5 wrote:

spqr wrote:

Symanski once had a BMW that was not all that? It was not an M8 or even a car made in the last 20 years but if the forum waits for a few minites he will tell us all about it for the next 3 days.

whats wrong about that?

 

Everything, Mr self appointed car expert.