An intriguing BMW M8 sporting a towering rear wing
has been spied testing on the Nurburgring, triggering speculation that an even
more extreme version could on the cards. As it stands, the M8 family is
topped out by the Competition in both Coupe and Convertible guise. The
following prototype is based on the M8 Coupe Competition and looks identical to
the road car currently on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show from every angle
bar one: that wing that’s impossible to miss.
One plausible explanation is that BMW is working on
a model to sit above the Competition; another, that this wing is simply going
to be available in the M Performance list of options. If this is the case, then
it is inevitable that BMW is also developing a series of other aerodynamic
parts as well.
As it stands, available M8 variants are already
pretty capable. Driving all four variants so far is a twin-turbocharged
4.4-liter V8 with 592 HP and 750 Nm of torque in standard spec and
617 HP in the Competition. An advanced xDrive all-wheel drive system that
offers 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD is standard, as is an eight-speed Steptronic
transmission.
The M8 Competition comes complete with a small rear
lip spoiler made from lightweight carbon fiber, but the fixed-wing of this prototype
is certainly more eye-catching – not to mention downforce-inducing.
If it is indeed introduced as a performance part,
don’t expect it to be cheap. Prices for the M8 Coupe start at US$ 133,000 in the
U.S. and rise to US$ 142,500 for the M8 Convertible. The Competition is priced
from US$ 146,000 for the Coupe and US$ 155,500 for the Convertible, so it’s an
already expensive piece of kit and, thus, its performance-enhancing options
should be on the same level.
