A year ago, spy photographers captured photos of a mysterious BMW 8-Series prototype that some believed it had a mid-engine layout. That theory was eventually debunked, but after spotting it again this past May, a different one popped up: this could be an M8 CSL. Now, the tester has been spotted again, and that possibility of is seeming more and more likely. The car doesn’t wear M8 bodywork on the front and sides (the rear bumper is still M8-spec), but given its giant rear wing and front splitter, we’d be surprised if this makes it to production as anything other than an M car.
Although nothing has been confirmed, all signs point to it being an M8 CSL, seeing as its upgraded aero and red accents bears some similarities to the M4 GTS, which featured similarly aggressive aero and added color accents over the M4 it was based on.
The development car also still has the rear quarter window vents that initially led people to believe it was mid-engined, as well as the black side skirts, red grille and side vent accents, tinted taillights, and rear diffuser rain light. However, since we’ve seen it last, the 8-Series has received new wheels, red headlight accents, and a vented hood with black graphics.
In order to be a proper CSL, the M8 would not only have to get more powerful, but also lighter. To accomplish this, some upgraded components and a tune will likely be applied to its 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, which already produces an impressive 617 hp and 750 Nm of torque in Competition spec. As for the latter, in addition to some stripping-out of the interior and the use of exotic materials, the prototype’s vented windows could also play a part in the weight savings. Should this car actually be an M8 CSL, it’s expected to be revealed in 2022 as a way to celebrate BMW M’s 50th anniversary. Pricing is purely speculation at this point, but given the M4 GTS’s price gap to the regular M4 of the time, imagine an M8 CSL to be significantly more expensive than an M8 Competition.
