When the BMW M8 finally makes its debut, it’s going to immediately be one of the very best BMWs on sale. It’s true, no one’s driven it yet, so that claim is a bit outlandish. But after having driven almost all new BMWs, including the M5 and M850i. If BMW M does to the M850i to make an M8 what it did to the M550i to make the M5, the BMW M8 will be an incredible car. It better be, though, as it’s going to face some very, very tough competition right out of the gate. One such competitor is all new and it could be the M8’s toughest competition — the McLaren GT.
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Just revealed a few days ago, the McLaren GT is a very new car for the Woking-based brand. Sure, it’s done mid-engine supercars with identical styling before but the GT is a bit different in that it’s, well, a GT. Rather than make yet another fire-spitting supercar or hypercar, McLaren decided to try its hand at a grand tourer; something its customers can comfortably eat up hundreds of miles in supreme comfort.
To be honest, most customers could have done that in any of the Super Series McLarens (650S, 720S), as they’re as comfortable to ride in as a marshmallow filled with clouds. Still, the folks in Woking wanted something more comfortable and less extreme. What they’ve come up with is the unimaginatively named McLaren GT.
Packing a 4.0 liter twin-turbocharged V8 behind the driver’s head, the McLaren GT makes 620 hp. That’s about how much the BMW M8 Competition will make (617 hp) and McLaren claims a 0-60 mph time that will be similar as well, 3.2 seconds. Though, we expect both cars to be faster than that, likely dropping into the high two-second range.
While the BMW M8 is actually not a grand touring car, being that it’s the proper M version of an actual grand touring car (M850i), it should be about comparable to the McLaren GT. Even a comfortable McLaren is a scalpel-sharp precision machine and even BMW’s latest M cars are surprisingly comfortable. So while they’re technically a bit different in terms of target and scope, they’re likely to provide similar levels of comfort and performance on the road.
Both cars will also likely hit dealerships later this year, as the McLaren is set to begin deliveries in late 2019 (no word on BMW M8 deliveries). Yes, the GT will be quite a bit more expensive than the M8, starting at $210,000, but not by so much that buyers in even the M8’s price range will be turned off.
\We don’t expect the BMW M8 to be able to dance as well as the McLaren GT, being that the Bimmer is front-engine and heavier, while the GT is lighter and mid-engine. However, both will offer similar performance, similar comfort and similar specs at a relatively similar price. So while they might be different cars, they could be very tough competition for each other.
As much as I like BMW, I’d have to go for the McLaren if I were spending that kind of money.
Agreed, a hundred percent.
Can’t blame you. Lots of valid reasons back your choice too. And it’s why I thought BMW Group should’ve bought Aston Martin back then. Aston Martin Motors company is still available, just way way way more expensive now.
I remember wishing that they would buy Maserati when it was available back then. Aston Martin would have been a good acquisition.
Bmw first.
The trunk in the 8 Series gives the BMW the security advantage. Also, while the rear seats are for 4 passenger touring, they do permit the front to be reclined which is great for the passenger while touring.
No denying the McClaren GT beauty and hopefully comfort also. If the backlight was photo-chromatic also, I might reconsider.
The interior of Aston Martin looks very cheap, two class below Bmw’s, but I can understand, the use of carbon monocoque makes the car very very expensive.
Nobody sane will put more than a bikini and a toothbrush on that McLaren parcel shelf. As such a mid-engine two-seater will never be able compete with a conventional layout car. And then there is the question of NVH. Will you survive 1.000km in one night in the McLaren?
I don‘t see how both cars will compete with each other as they are two different price classes! Even Mclaren does not acknowledge the M8 as a competitor. And that for good reason!
Th Mclaren will no doubt be a lot nimbler due to its much lower weight and racing heritage.
The M8 may be equally quick on a straight line only due to its 4 wheel drive but will be destroyed on track performance and elasticity and probably under braking too!
It also sounds as if the Mclaren will sound way much better than the M8.
Sorry, I don‘t see how both cars compete.