The Nurburgring is currently closed, with the track undergoing a number of changes for next year (more on that here). However, automakers have taken advantage of the final testing interval and one of the hottest prototypes to have done its thing on the Ring recently is the 2020 BMW M8.
Enter a BMW showroom this year, looking for a range-topper and you'll receive the M850i xDrive. However, the M Performance model will be joined by a proper M machine next year.
The German engineers are currently completing the final stages of testing, with the 2020 M8 family set to land next year.
That's right, we said family, since the M8 sub-range will include the Coupe, the Cabriolet and the Gran Coupe.
Well, you can check out the two-door, fixed-roof M8 prototype tackling the Green Hell in the piece of footage at the bottom of the page. Those of you looking for a handling comparo should also check out this M8 Grand Coupe spy video, which involves the four-door model being thrown at the same bend (think: Brunnchen).
Regardless of the body type, most of the BMW M8's tech side will be borrowed from the F90-generation M5. As such, the engine compartment will accommodate a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 with 600 horsepower, working with a remarkably sharp eight-speed automatic.
And we hope that the AWD hardware of the 2018 M5, which comes with a rear-only mode that allows drifting aficionados to get their kicks.
There will also be a Competition version, with this expected to deliver at least 625 horsepower (this is the output of the M5 Competition). The handling will also be sharper and, given the hefty scale footprint of the large Grand Tourer, this is a welcome upgrade.
Note that the video below is actually focused on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE Plug-In Hybrid. However, you can find the M8 bit that brought us here at the 1:18 point of the clip.
In his quest to bring you the most impressive automotive creations, Andrei relies on learning as a superpower. There's quite a bit of room in the garage that is this aficionado's heart, so factory-condition classics and widebody contraptions with turbos poking through the hood can peacefully coexist. Full profile
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