All week, we’ve been talking about the BMW 8 Series Concept. The stunning looking concept car that BMW has presented us shows off the future design language of the 8 Series and the brand as a whole. While we haven’t seen any real photos of the 8 Series without any camouflage, we can tell that the final production car will borrow many of the design cues from the concept. But since we’ve known of the new BMW 8 Series’ existence, and after seeing this concept, enthusiasts have been begging to know about the upcoming BMW M8. Well, here’s your first look at it.
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BMW recently debuted a fully-functioning, yet heavily camouflaged, BMW M8 as part of the support program for the Nürburgring 24-hour race. The M8 on display is a pre-production prototype but it gives us a real hint of what the final car will actually look like. Many typical M car features are present, such as massive front air intakes and quad exhausts.
“The conception and development of the standard BMW 8 Series and the M model run in parallel,” said Frank van Meel, President BMW M Division. “The future BMW M8 will build on the genes of the 8 Series and augment its DNA with added track ability and generous extra portions of dynamic sharpness, precision and agility. It all flows into a driving experience that bears the familiar BMW M hallmarks and satisfies our customers’ most exacting requirements.”
We’ve gotten no specs as of yet, so we don’t know what sort of engine or power figures the M8 will have. We feel as if it could go in one of two directions. It could either get the same S63 4.4 liter twin-turbo V8 as the F90 BMW M5 or maybe the same 6.6 liter twin-turbocharged V12 as the BMW M760i. They both make around the same 600 hp, so either way it would be properly quick. The original BMW 850CSi, and prototype M8, had a V12 engine and it seems that as BMW’s flagship it should have its biggest engine. On the other side though, the new S63 V8 is just as powerful and significantly lighter, allowing the M8 to handle better and have sharper steering. So it will be interesting to see which engine it gets. It will be awesome either way, though.
Alongside the standard BMW M8 will come the BMW M8 GTE, the race car that will spearhead the brand’s return to Le Mans. “The BMW M8 GTE development programme for our Le Mans comeback is in full swing,” says BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “Developing a new racing car is always exciting, and in the case of the BMW M8 GTE the anticipation is that much greater still. We can’t reveal any pictures yet, but I can promise you that the BMW M8 GTE will look spectacular. We are planning an initial roll-out for the first half of this year and are looking at giving the car its race debut in the Daytona 24 Hours in late January 2018.”
We don’t know what will power the M8 and we don’t know how it will drive. But we can tell that it will look good. The proportions are all right, the shape is powerful and elegant and many of the details from the stunning concept remain. Needless to say, we’re excited about the BMW M8.
V12 would be quicker and much more prestigious. I bet it will be thos engine
Nope. V12 is too heavy for M model. Plus awd will be on M8 probably. So they definately dont need extra weight.
This is the quickest BMW has ever brought out an M model behind the standard car. This indicates a philosophy change at BMW. Could also just be in an effort to get the GTE model out racing in a hurry. Works for me!
It’s only taken 20 yrs!
The “standard” car is just the Concept car, so it doesn’t necessarily mean the M8 will come just as fast. But yes, could be. :)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUmFKjjFhFh/
Doesn’t sound like an S63, sounds like the engine doesn’t even have the cross bank exhaust manifold either because it has the characteristic crossplane V8 note. Honestly it sounds like AMG’s 4.0l but more growly.
It could be the M version of the V8 from the new family of engines (that we’ve not seen yet), the S68B40.
love the snaps omg
I like what i see and read.
Bring it on, BMW !!
The problem with these M cars is that they never hold their value and always look like a poor man’s super car. I see nothing different in this latest offering. I think I will stick with my real sports cars.
Agree with you 100%. Once its out of warranty, it becomes a white elephant. People who wants performance, heritage, and resale value would definitely get a Porsche instead.
Or not. Porsche died with the 928, who else is still manufacturing rear-engine? Subsidized by rebadged VW SUVs.
Yes, I’m sure that’s why only 40 BMW race cars were registered @ Nurburgring this weekend – to make room for you & your real sports cars. Are they Hot Wheels, Matchbox, or, like their typist owner, Dinky?
BMW should stick with its 3 series, especially the M3 instead of coming out with the M5, M6 and now the M8. People get a BMW for its sports sedan instead of trying to get M6 or M8 to challenge the likes of Porsches or Aston Martins or even the Dodge Challenger. Come to think of it, this M8 looks very like the Dodge. You can get it cheaper with better performance and reliability with the Dodge. My 2 cents.
The M8 has NOTHING in common with Dodge. They couldn’t even keep Viper on the road.
Dude do you actually know something about cars? Seriously. The 8 Series will be a GT that’s going to compete with the S Class Coupe, which is one of the most luxurious cars of today. Don’t compare that to some heavy American muscle car. Cheez.
Sure they will compete in the GT class. Not in stock form, nor designed or build by them. In fact, BMW would have absolutely no input other than being a sponsor. If you believe the new 8 series can compete in the class in stock form, I’ve got beachfront property for sale in Montana.
The 8 Series in stock form will still have an inline-6 with well over 200 HP and a very descent 0-100 time. In the US the base form will probably have over 300 HP. In standard form it will handle better than almost any American muscle car or “sports” car. And it will do that in the utmost luxury.
Also why should BMW stick with the 3 Series? That doesn’t make any sense. The first M5 was introduced in the ’80s so it’s not like it’s something new. Same with the M6. Yes, they used to be light and nimble. But they had to move on and build heavier, safer, more luxurious vehicles. However they’re still very fun to drive and handle better than the direct competition (Mercedes) whilst offering a perfect blend between luxury and sportiness.
Heck there’re several journalists claiming the G30 5 Series is the best 5er ever! That’s a petty bold statement, but it says something about how well they’re doing things.
Epic car! V12 engine would be grand since this is a grand tourer. That V12 would do justice to that, even though the V8 is the better engine performance wise
if anyone even thinks about suggesting a v8 they have no clue about bmw. i have owned 15 bimmers since 2000, i still have 5 of them including a 6-speed manual v12 850 and as an 8 series owner i can tell you that the v8 840 was the single biggest mistake bmw has ever made (and bmw themselves admitted such). the 1st generation 8 series shared the same v12 as the flagship 7 series at the time… bmw is steeped in tradition and we should expect (actually demand) that it continue here. the 8 is a GT (grant tourer) its meant for long highway rides, this is not meant to be an agile sports car like the 2 door 4 series. v12 or fail even if its heavier. if you want a lighter 2 door get a 6 or 4 series copue
You sound quite new to the brand: BMW’s V12 was 2 x I-6’s, double the ECU’s, double the trouble. If the 840 was such a mistake, why have they not stopped building V8’s since then? Good luck with your grant tourer.
There is room for both a high performance V8 in an M8 model and a luxurious GT model (860?) powered by a V12. A M8 is never going to be a GT.
BMW may also choose to keep the V12 coupe combination for Rolls-Royce.
Too many retarded comments. I regret scrolling down here.
Won’t we get both an M860i with the V12 AND an M8 with the V8? That would make the most sense imo since a flagship model definitely needs a V12 and a car like the M8 definitely needs the advantage of a lighter, just as powerful V8.