Okay, so now that the BMW M5, M5 Competition and M2 Competition are here and driven, the next performance machine to wait for from BMW is the M8. The first of its kind, the BMW M8 will be the first-ever M variant of an 8 Series. Well, the first one to ever make production. And we can’t wait to see it in person, for real, and drive it. This new spy video doesn’t help with the anticipation, either.
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Powering the BMW M8 will be a 4.4 liter twin-turbocharged V8, likely the same engine or a slightly tuned version of what’s in the M5 Competition. So expect over 600 hp and about 553 lb-ft of torque. That engine will be paired with an eight-speed auto and likely drive all four wheels, via a similar M-tuned xDrive setup as the M5.
We obviously can’t comment on how it drives or how fast it is but we judge it with the eye test. Watching it lap the Nurburgring, we can see that it’s plenty quick. It also seems to handle well for a big car. The new 8 Series is actually shorter and lower than the old 6 Series but it’s still a bit car. Yet, the BMW M8 seems to manage that weight well enough, tucking its nose in and cornering relatively flatly.
It also just looks great. That long hood, tucked nose, muscular lines and double-bubble-style roof make it looks equal parts pretty and mean. It’s possible that the BMW M8 is the best looking Bavarian on the road when it debuts. Very possible. In fact, I expect it.
The M8 also passes the ear test. That rumbling V8 sounds great from the outside, at a distance. As it passes through the corner, you can hear its low, burbly revs, which gradually get higher-pitched and racier as the revs climb.
We can’t wait for the BMW M8. We’ve driven the new 8 Series and it’s a superb car. With a bit harder of an edge, more power and more speed, we fully expect the M8 to be a monster.
Bavarians must change the sound of this car. Sounds like an F90 M5. That’s not good. Flat-plane TT V8s just sound awful to me. There is a video on YouTube from 2017 when M8 was first revealed under camoflauge. The guy in it revved it and it sounded amazing. Very rich and very AMG-ish. I really want Bavarians to bring that amazing sound back.
If I’am not wrong, the video from 2017 was a M850I prototype and not M8. Because the sound of the new M850I sounds very similar to the car on the 2017 video. But, I can be wrong since in that video the car had quad-exhaust tips which are typical for full M-cars. But I agree, they need to change the exhaust note. Sounds horrible and if the M850I sounds better than the full M-car then that will be so annoying for M8 owners. Pay more for less sound.
ya it was a m850i
Cancel my order. Because exhaust.
we will see in future what it really sounds like
Have yet to hear a bad BMW I6, every time they pass me they’re either purring or growling. And isn’t noise regulated, like everything else these days?
But why was the name M8 on that car from 2017? If it was an M850i they would stick M850i badges on the camo. I really, really hope they change the sound to the 2017 one. S63 engine may be brilliant for its power and throttle response, but it sounds absolutely disgusting(IMO of course). M850i is already a really good car, and if M8 doesn’t sound better than its smaller brother and if it doesn’t drive better, it will be a massive failure and won’t be worth its extra cash. Really hope M divison CEO reads my and other people’s comments…
that car was like a straight piped catless m850i engine