The long-awaited BMW M8 has premiered and not only
has it debuted in Coupe form, but BMW has also presented the M8 Convertible, M8
Coupe Competition and M8 Convertible Competition. Found beneath the hood of the
‘standard’ M8 Coupe and M8 Convertible models is a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter
V8 from the M5 and pumping out 592 hp and 750 Nm of torque. BMW has
increased grunt from this engine to 617 hp for use in the M8 Coupe Competition
and M8 Convertible Competition.
All M8 models come outfitted with an advanced xDrive
all-wheel drive system mated to an eight-speed Steptronic transmission. The
standard M8 duo are capable of accelerating from a standstill to 100 km/h in a blistering 3.3 seconds (Coupe) and 3.4 seconds (Convertible). The
Competition models are a touch more accelerative with the Coupe needing 3.2
seconds to hit 62 mph and the Convertible requiring 3.3 seconds.
The all-wheel drive system of the M8 family
incorporates an Active M differential and includes two normal driving modes;
4WD and 4WD Sport. If drivers deactivate the Dynamic Stability Control, they
can select a 2WD mode which sends all of the power through the rear wheels.
BMW is particularly proud of the M8’s suspension
setup with M-specific Adaptive dampers and electromechanical M Servotronic
steering coming standard. The car’s Dynamic Stability Control system offers an
M Dynamic mode which allows for a greater level of wheel slip. Other important
elements of the car’s chassis setup include a steel X-brace and aluminum
transverse strut at the rear axle, beefed-up anti-roll bars, and a rigid sheer
panel with integrated side sill connections at the front end.
Included across all M8 models, whether customers opt
for the M carbon ceramic brakes or not, is the marque’s integrated braking
system which brings the brake activation, brake booster, and braking control
functions into a compact module. Drivers can choose between two pedal feels,
one which is better suited to comfortable driving while the other provides a
direct and instantaneous pedal feel.
All models come loaded with standard features in
their respective cabins, including a Head-Up Display, Driving Assistant,
Parking Assistant, and the BMW Live Cockpit Professional. There is also an M
mode button on the center console which allows drivers to opt between Road and
Sport settings in the regular M8 models and Road, Sport, and Track settings in
the M8 Competition variants.
Prices for the BMW M8 Coupe start at US$ 133,000 in the
U.S. with the convertible to set customers back US$ 142,500. The M8 Coupe
Competition and Convertible Competition models are a tad pricier at US$ 146,000
and US$ 155,500 respectively.
