Photo: Stefan Baldauf/SB-medien
With the advent of the F90 M5 super sedan, with its neat M xDrive rear-biased all-wheel-drive system, BMW is taking its sporting identity to the next level. It’s the all-new M8, however, that will act as the icing on the M division’s cake, the German carmaker’s flagship performance model.
Presented at this year’s edition of the Nurburgring 24-hour race, the M8 was put through a baptism by fire by dropping a hot lap on the unsparing racing circuit. A grand tourer by nature, the newcomer held its own even in the most difficult corners of the Nurburgring, not rolling nor pitching as one would expect from a luxurious grand tourer. Other than a top-notch suspension system, the 2018 BMW M8 Coupe prototype pictured above also boasts XXL-sized brake rotors beautified by massive blue calipers.
Then there’s the choice of tires, with the new model equipped from the get-go with Michelin’s best road-going compound. A more in-depth look at the pre-production prototype reveals that the full-LED headlights are virtually the same units as you’ll find on the retail M8. The taillights, on the other hand, are still a work-in-progress job. An aspect BMW is not ready to come clean about at the present moment is, of course, xDrive.
As a competitor to the Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe 4Matic+, the 2018 M8 definitely needs the added grip and traction offered by an all-wheel-drive system. And with the F90 M5 coming as standard with M xDrive, it’s not that hard to imagine what the Bavarian company has in store for the M8.
On the oily bits front, the exhaust note is a giveaway to V8 muscle. Most likely, BMW will use the S63 4.4-liter twin-turbo engine, which should be good for more than 600 Bavarian ponies and a ton of torque. An 8-speed automatic developed by ZF will be the sole transmission choice on offer.
In addition to completing the 8 Series lineup, the M8 will also go racing. More to the point, the race debut for the M8 GTE is planned in January 2018, at the Daytona 24 Hours.
Then there’s the choice of tires, with the new model equipped from the get-go with Michelin’s best road-going compound. A more in-depth look at the pre-production prototype reveals that the full-LED headlights are virtually the same units as you’ll find on the retail M8. The taillights, on the other hand, are still a work-in-progress job. An aspect BMW is not ready to come clean about at the present moment is, of course, xDrive.
As a competitor to the Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe 4Matic+, the 2018 M8 definitely needs the added grip and traction offered by an all-wheel-drive system. And with the F90 M5 coming as standard with M xDrive, it’s not that hard to imagine what the Bavarian company has in store for the M8.
On the oily bits front, the exhaust note is a giveaway to V8 muscle. Most likely, BMW will use the S63 4.4-liter twin-turbo engine, which should be good for more than 600 Bavarian ponies and a ton of torque. An 8-speed automatic developed by ZF will be the sole transmission choice on offer.
In addition to completing the 8 Series lineup, the M8 will also go racing. More to the point, the race debut for the M8 GTE is planned in January 2018, at the Daytona 24 Hours.
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