These are the first shots of what is believed to be
a mule of the upcoming BMW M8 undergoing some rigorous testing at the
Nurburgring. The new 8-Series is set to return and this time, BMW will give us a full-blown
M8 as well.
The prototype shown
in the pictures is hiding under a different camouflage, especially at the front
where we spot those huge air inlets of the front bumper.
The alloy wheels and brake rotors also appear to be
bigger and are matched by blue M calipers. We couldn’t help but notice the lack
of a quad exhaust setup, but this could be just part of the camouflage or it
could indicate that the car in question might be in fact a regular 8-Series
fitted with the M Sport package.
If it is indeed the new M8, then under the bonnet
we’ll find the same twin-turbo V8 that is going to power the new M5, offering
more than 600 hp channeled to either the rear or optionally, all four wheels via
an advanced all-wheel drive system. And since the upcoming M5 is said to offer
the option of a drift mode, during which the all-wheel drive version sends its
power to the rear axle, we can’t seem to find a reason for BMW not to do the
same with the M8.
BMW’s next big coupe had us confused all this time
about whether it’s going to adopt the 6- or the 8-Series designation. BMW is going to bring back the 8-Series nameplate for their new
two-door coupe which will indirectly replace the existing 6-Series. The
6-Series moniker will continue to live on with the successor to the 5-Series
GT, which will be a more handsome looking liftback.
The company’s future plans for the 8-Series also
include a plug-in hybrid 840e Performance version, which will use the same
powertrain with the newly revealed 740e Performance. BMW plans to reveal the
new 8-Series in 2018, with the convertible version to follow in 2019 and the M8
shortly after.
Cr : Carscoops