BMW M8

Development and launch

BMW revived the 8 Series nameplate by introducing the M8 GTE racecar (a first by BMW, as the brand usually introduces the production version first), which replaced the M6 GTLM at the end of the 2017 season of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, leading to speculation about a production equivalent to the racing car. At the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, BMW introduced the M8 Gran Coupé Concept, which previewed a high performance four-door variant of the Concept 8 Series introduced alongside the M8 GTE at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. The design of the concept was based on the M8 GTE and sported aggressive M performance visual parts. Prototypes of the M8 began testing in June 2017 when another Concept of the 8 Series was unveiled to the public.

Development of the M8 continued into 2018 and more production ready prototypes were made available to the automotive press for review. The car was finally introduced online on 4 June 2019 in the high performance "Competition" variation in coupé and convertible bodystyles. Production began in August 2019.

Specifications

The M8 is based on the BMW CLAR platform, with strut and wishbone suspension at the front and multi-link suspension at the rear. Adaptive dampers are standard equipment. The all-wheel-drive system (called xDrive) has the ability to decouple its front axle to make the car purely rear-wheel-drive, a feature first introduced on the M5.

The M8 is powered by a version of the BMW S63 twin-turbocharged V8 engine which is shared with the M5, X5M and X6M models. This engine is rated at 441 kW at 6,000 rpm and 750 Nm in the standard M8 model, with peak power increasing to 460 kW at 6,000 rpm for the M8 Competition model – torque remains the same. The sole transmission available for the M8 is an 8-speed torque converter ZF 8HP76 automatic transmission manufactured by ZF Friedrichshafen called the "M-Steptronic" by BMW and also shared with the F90 M5.

The standard brakes consist of iron discs, with carbon ceramic brakes being optional. The level of power assist for the brakes can be set to either ‘comfort’ or ‘sport’ mode using the iDrive controller, a feature which has been criticised for resulting in inconsistent brake pedal feel.

The "M8 Competition" is the upper model of the range, with changes including increased engine power, a modified induction system and more rigid engine mounts. The unladen kerb weight of 2019 M8 Competition model sold in the United Kingdom is 1885 kg for the coupé and 2010 kg for the convertible.

The M8 can be fitted with M Performance Parts. These include a sport steering wheel, carbon fibre parts, side skirts, M rims and a bigger spoiler.

Performance

Performance figures include a 0–100 km/h acceleration time of 3.2 seconds, 0–200 km/h acceleration time of 10.8 seconds (10.6 seconds for the M8 Competition) and a limited top speed of 264 km/h. The top speed can be raised to 305 km/h with the optional M Driver's package which also adds high speed rated tyres to the car.

Motorsport

M8 GTE

Main article: BMW M8 GTE

The racing version of the M8 called the M8 GTE was introduced at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. The car made its competitive debut at the 2018 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the FIA WEC for the 2018 season marking BMW's return to Le Mans after 6 years.

M8 Safety car

In 2019, during the MotoGP Austrian Grand Prix, the M8 Competition made its debut as the official safety car.

References

References

1. "Start of production for three new BMW 8 Series models".
2. "BMW'S M8 CONCEPT CAR IS CHALLENGING LUXURY AS WE KNOW IT, HERE'S HOW".
3. (4 June 2019). "WORLD PREMIERE: The First Ever BMW M8 Coupe".
4. (4 June 2019). "WORLD PREMIERE: The stunning and powerful BMW M8 Convertible".
5. "The New 2020 BMW M8 Coupe and Convertible".
6. (29 May 2017). "2020 BMW M8 Convertible".
7. "BMW M8 Gran Coupe: A Fire-Breathing Four-Door With Up To 625 HP".
8. (9 October 2019). "Just Look At How Purple This 600 HP BMW M8 Gran Coupe Is".
9. (2017-09-12). "BMW Unveils M8 GTE at Frankfurt Auto Show". sportscar365.com.
10. (2018-03-06). "BMW M8 Gran Coupe Concept unveiled at Geneva".
11. (2017-06-12). "BMW M8 prototype and 8-Series concept revealed".
12. (2018-11-08). "New BMW M8: 600bhp-plus super coupe prototype track ride".
13. (2019-06-04). "New 2019 BMW M8 Competition storms in with 616bhp".
14. "Start of production for three new BMW 8 Series models".
15. (6 August 2019). "BMW Begins Production of the 8 Series Gran Coupe & M8 Competition".
16. "New BMW 8 Series Set to Return in 2018".
17. "New 2019 BMW M8 Competition revealed – the 8-series we've been waiting for".
18. "BMW M8 Competition Coupé".
19. (9 November 2018). "2020 BMW M8 Coming With RWD Mode, More Than 600 Horsepower".
20. "The new BMW M8 Coupe and BMW M8 Competition Coupe. The new BMW M8 Convertible and BMW M8 Competition Convertible.".
21. (9 May 2019). "The 2020 BMW M8 Will Have Adjustable Brake-Pedal Feel".
22. "2020 BMW M8 Teased With M Mode, New Brake Technology".
23. Silvestro, Brian. (9 May 2019). "The BMW M8 Has an Adjustable Brake-by-Wire System No One Asked For". Road & Track.
24. (2019-06-04). "New 2019 BMW M8 Competition revealed – the 8-series we've been waiting for".
25. (2019-06-04). "New BMW M8 revealed with up to 616bhp".
26. "The New M8 Competition Coupé".
27. "BMW M8 Competition Convertible".
28. (2019-06-06). "BMW M8 Coupe specs & photos - 2019".
29. "The new BMW M8 GTE".
30. (28 January 2018). "All Of The Cool Little Details On The New BMW M8 GTE That Debuted At Daytona".
31. (2016-09-27). "BMW to enter WEC from 2018". fiawec.com.