There are a lot of exciting new cars coming from BMW in 2019, including the X3/X4 M and the 8 Series Gran Coupe. But of all the cars coming from Bavaria this year, the BMW M8 is probably the most heavily hyped. For good reason, too. It’s the first-ever BMW M8 and it’s going to be the most powerful and high-tech M car on the road. So naturally, BMW fans are excited. Which is why we’re happy to kick off the new year with a new spy video of the upcoming M8.
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From Automotive Mike, this new spy video shows off the BMW M8 getting a heavy workout in at the Nurburgring. Whoever’s behind the wheel in this video seems to be pushing the car pretty hard, testing out what it can do. And it seems fast.
It sounds good, too. Its 4.4 liter twin-turbo V8 doesn’t sound as tame (if you can call it that) as it does on the M850i. It’s not that the baby-M 8 Series sounds bad at all — it’s actually surprisingly aggressive sounding for a GT car — but this M8 sounds even better.
Now, I might be crazy, but I also think it looks better than the M850i, and that’s with camouflage on. The lower ride height, seemingly larger wheels, M-style mirrors and quad exhausts make the BMW M8 looks significantly sportier than the M850i. The M850i is already a great looking car, which has the right amount of aggression for an M Performance car. This M8, though, dials the anger up just a few more notches and the 8 Series’ styling is all the better for it.
We obviously haven’t driven the BMW M8 but we wonder if it will actually render the M850i a bit obsolete. Not that the latter is a bad car, obviously, but it’s more of a fast GT car. The proper M8 will be sharper, faster and more dynamic. However, if the BMW M5 is anything to go by, the M8 won’t exactly be uncomfortable, either. In fact, I’d happily spend hours driving the new M5, as its ride is surprisingly comfortable and its seats are sensational. If the BMW M8 is anything like that, it will be the ultimate BMW; comfortable enough to drive anywhere at anytime, incredibly fast and fun to drive. Oh, and good looking. Don’t forget good looking.
M never renders other models obsolete, a lot of us don’t need the ultimate, I’ve known M drivers who were unhappy because their cars were too much for them, sometimes just ride quality. I would totally take M550i>M5 & M850i>M8. I’m a cruiser, not a racer
Disagree with you. 1st your friends are paying for the M prestige factor, as a high performance driver who enjoys track time appreciates the M ride, including as a daily driver.
That’s what I mean, though, these are people who don’t know what a track is & just need daily drivers, one was upset when his new M3 Cabriolet came with a hardtop. I’ve known M5 drivers who traded for X5 M so they can get their kids’ hockey gear to the arena faster. Most M5s I see are limos stuck in traffic, it would be wasted on me. Sadly. Plus the range on the V10 was 200 miles.
I’m a owner of both 2018 M4 vert ZCP 20” and 2018 X5M 20”, but living in the southeast not stuck in traffic, as the S55 and S63 can breath. M8 has my interest to replaced the M4 vert when lease is up. Mentioned my wheel size, as the southeast doesn’t have the awful northeast roads (i.e. potholes) and the ride isn’t that harsh. M4 vert has been coded for the CS damper settings, amount other goodies.
Watched an M2 bob up & down my street, Car and Driver noted in an otherwise positive review how harsh the ride was on their Michigan roads (but they also described their M760Li Lightning Lap limo as “wafty”). I could feel the ride difference between stock & Sport setups driving previous gen X3s back to back (19 in. vs. 20? It’s been a while.). BMW seem to have something for everyone these days, but our roads are equally punishing, people crack & chip rims on our highways.
Glowing front disc must require a cool down lap.
That and handling dynamics say this is about half a ton overweight. Without CF chassis, BMW would essentially have to build a 911 Turbo S size car, or at least a MB AMG GT size car.
bmw wake up and build nice and fast cars
audi has r8
why are you not if a v12 turbo instead of v8 turbo with the m8
please be serious
Seriously? The Rolls-Royce turbo V12 is in the M760Li. The rebadged Italian corporate parts bin R8 does not offer a V12 because VAG do not make one. Maybe, like McLaren, they can buy 1 from BMW.
I can imagine BMW decided that having V12s in their bigger M vehicles was not going to sell as well. The rise in gas prices, the cost of maintenance, other things I am unaware of. The average buyer of BMW even M cars are not complete money bags. Yes they are well off individuals but they don’t have unlimited disposable income. Also there is a “gas guzzler penalty” automakers have to pay if they don’t meet a certain MPG rating across their fleet of vehicles. So ontop of possibly not selling as well, the government would fine BMW furthering the reasons not to implement more V12s (I say more because I know BMW makes V12s in their luxury 7 lineup).
V12s are great sounding masterpieces but they are not practical. BMWs image is known for being fun and practical.