The BMW M8 premium vehicle may be a part of BMW’s intentions to enter the electric vehicle industry. BMW board member Peter Nota stated the following in a video interview with SupercarBlondie: “Today we have our M8. The BMW brand intends to grow in the more expensive market “Says Nota. “Something cool could be on the way shortly.” Even though there isn’t much to say about that, it is consistent with previous reports. In fact, BMW intends to electrify the majority of its series models, including M vehicles.
Our wagers on an M8 electric vehicle center around the four-door Gran Coupe variant because the M8 Coupe and M8 Convertible might not get a second life. The BMW M8 Gran Coupe’s adaptability and size make it better suited for electrification and would give it a new rival to the Audi e-tron Sportback and the Tesla Model S.
BMW recently launched the iX electric SUV, paving the door for other BMW electric vehicles to come before the M electric supercar. The new BMW iX is supported by a new technical platform that goes by the internal codename I20. This platform is scalable and modular, and it will probably appear on a number of upcoming vehicles from both BMW I and the main BMW brand. As you may be aware, the iX will begin production at the Dingolfing factory in the second half of 2021 despite still undergoing considerable on-road development.
By 2025, BMW intends to produce at least 20 electric cars as well as a number of plug-in hybrid versions. The upcoming X8 M PHEV is another electrified M vehicle that has not yet been revealed. A 5 Series electric business sedan and the all-electric i7 flagship sedan will also be available. The iX1 entry-level electric crossover and the iX3 midsize EV SUV are also part of the SUV lineup.
In This Article...
Performance – Engine, Transmission, and Other
The 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 that powers the M8 produces 617 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. The powerful engine is coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive system with a rear bias that can cut power to the front axle. We’ve had a chance to spend some time driving the coupe and convertible M8 Competition, and we were awestruck by their elegant demeanor and responsive powertrains. The 4251-pound M8 Comp coupe’s extremely rapid acceleration, reaching 60 mph in under 2.5 seconds, assailed us when we attached our test equipment to it. Although the BMW’s exhaust noise doesn’t exactly excite as much as that of its Mercedes-AMG competitors, it is incredibly speedy, and its automatic transmission is incredibly intelligent. We discovered that inducing power slides is better left for the safety of an empty parking lot or a race track, despite the fact that the all-wheel-drive system is designed to deliver rear-drive thrills. Thanks to a supple ride that belies its track-focused qualities, the M8 didn’t torture us on normal roads. Don’t mistake its charm for weakness, though. Massive amounts of grip are provided by the M8 chassis, which also transmits some feedback to the thick-rimmed steering wheel. The M8 is a fascinating partner whenever the route widens or becomes winding thanks to its blend of rapidity and nimbleness. Unfortunately, the coupe’s 4251-pound curb weight is distributed over its front axle more than half of the time, which would explain why it struggles to rotate more easily. The adjustable brake pedal, too, didn’t feel very engaging to us.
Specifications[edit]
Based on the BMW CLAR platform, the M8 has multi-link suspension at the back and strut and wishbone suspension up front. Adaptive dampers come as standard. The M5 was the first vehicle with the option to detach the front axle of the all-wheel-drive system (named xDrive), turning the vehicle solely into a rear-wheel-drive vehicle.
The BMW S63 twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which is shared by the M5, X5M, and X6M models, powers the M8. The normal M8 variant of this engine has ratings of 441 kW (591 hp) at 6,000 rpm and 750 Nm (553 lbft), while the M8 Competition model has ratings of 460 kW (617 hp) at 6,000 rpm and the same amount of torque. The only available transmission for the M8 is an 8-speed torque converter ZF 8HP76 automatic transmission that was developed by ZF Friedrichshafen and shared with the F90 M5.
Iron brake discs are the standard, and carbon ceramic brakes are an option. The iDrive controller may be used to adjust the brakes’ level of power assistance between “comfort” and “sport,” a function that has drawn criticism for producing inconsistent brake pedal feel.
The top model in the line, the “M8 Competition,” has modifications such more powerful engines, altered induction systems, and more sturdy engine mounts. The 2019 M8 Competition model’s unladen kerb weight for the coupe is 1,885 kg (4,156 lb), while for the convertible, it is 2,010 kg (4,431 lb).
It is possible to add M Performance Parts to the M8. A sport steering wheel, carbon fiber components, side skirts, M rims, and a larger spoiler are a few of these.
BMW M8 Gran Coupe Competitors vs. Porsche Taycan Turbo S in Gas vs. Electric
Even though they followed very different paths to reach their performance objectives—one has a conventional internal combustion engine, and the other, a zero-emissions electric powertrain—the BMW M8 Gran Coupe Competition and Porsche Taycan Turbo S represent the pinnacle of the luxury sports sedan segment.
Even though both of them have four doors, they are both genuine driver’s vehicles with remarkable straight-line performance and plush interiors. Which one is faster on the racetrack, though?
AutoBildSportsCars provided the two German saloons for this test, which was conducted on the Lausitzring, a track in northeastern Germany. An experienced driver was behind the wheel, and lap times were kept by AutoBildSportsCars.
The 4.4-liter V8 engine in the M8 Gran Coupe Competition, which represents the ICE (internal combustion engine), has dual turbochargers and is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The four-door model’s rear-biased all-wheel drive technology allows it to accelerate quickly from a stop to 62 mph (100 km/h) in as little as 3.2 seconds. It can continue to accelerate up to 155 mph (250 km/h), or 190 mph (305 km/h) with the M Driver’s Package added.
When the throttle is depressed all the way, a total of 616 HP (625 PS/460 kW) and 553 lb-ft (750 Nm) of torque are released. With the record, the standard M8 GC has an identical top speed and 592 HP (600 PS / 441 kW) for a 0-62 mph time of 3.3 seconds.
The electric Taycan Turbo S, with Overboost mode activated, releases 750 HP (761 PS / 560 kW) and 774 lb-ft (1,050 Nm) on the pavement, representing the future here and now. The sports car can reach its highest speed of 161 mph (260 km/h) in just 2.6 seconds, according to the maker.
Which one do you believe performed faster in the informal test captured on film? There is only one way to learn.
Expectations for the BMW M8 CSL
BMW should create a CSL version of the M8; at this time, it’s practically required. The aforementioned rumor claims that the 2022 BMW M8 CSL’s 3.0-liter Inline-six engine and two rear electric motors together might produce up to 700 horsepower. In light of this, those two electric motors would need to be capable of producing about 365 horsepower, or about 130 horsepower each. That’s not too far-fetched, and by doing rid of the 4.4-liter V-8 from the M850i, BMW will be able to shed enough pounds to compensate for the battery pack and the new motors’ added weight.
If the story is inaccurate, a smaller electric motor might be used in addition to the 523 horsepower and 553 pound-foot V-8 in the M850i. This V-8 engine could easily produce 700 horsepower with just one electric motor.
When you take into account this aspect as well as the fact that BMW doesn’t want to disturb the vehicle’s balance, the M8’s V-8 and a small electric motor look like a better match. Nevertheless, the M8 CSL should be able to reach 60 mph in about 2.8 seconds, which would be two-tenths faster than the M8 at its current level of tuning, with a top track speed that is easily nearing 200 mph.
The design of the 2022 M8 CSL will include a huge spoiler and likely undergo some sort of weight reduction, which will aid in the use of hybrid technology. Inside and out, you can anticipate plenty of carbon fiber, a few extra luxuries here and there, and, most likely, some CSL-specific performance pages integrated into the infotainment system.
Although I would also love to see a mid-engined 8 Series supercar, it is currently improbable. Actually, a hybrid M8 CSL makes a lot more sense, and the hybrid technology might even be able to outperform the already insane M8 in some areas. A supercar—does BMW need one? Yes, it does, but for the time being we’ll be very content with an M8 CSL.
The M division of BMW is utilizing electricity.
At BMW, today is a momentous day. At its headquarters in Germany, the company is now hosting the NextGen Conference. There were also the world premieres of the Vision M Next concept (which might go into production), the 5 Series electric vehicle, and the E-Box electric motorcycle. However, there are still more updates coming from Munich.
In a roundtable discussion with journalists, including Senior Editor Jeff Perez, BMW Chief of Engineering Klaus Frohlich stated that BMW’s M division is placing a significant bet on battery power. In the near future, the business will release plug-in hybrid M performance automobiles.
modern BMW M8
Additionally upgraded for 2022 with fresh style and trim choices is the marquee BMW M8.
The 4.4-litre V8 engine with 625 horsepower and 750 Nm of torque is still used. The M8 also features all-wheel drive, but if you prefer some tyre-smoking track action, you can choose rear-wheel drive.
A variety of additional colors, including the Isle of Man green used on the BMW M3, are available for the M8. The coupe, convertible, and four-door Gran Coupe body types are still available.
With the exception of a slightly updated front bumper for this most recent edition, the exterior look is as muscular as ever. Wider wheel arches and several new alloy wheel designs can be found on the side for a better posture on the road.
The M8 is it electric?
The M8 is a Kawasaki-built electric multiple unit train vehicle that runs on the CTrailShore Line East and the Metro-North Railroad’s New Haven Line. The M2, M4, and M6 cars, which first went into service in 1973, 1987, and 1994, respectively, were replaced by the fleet of 471 vehicles in 2011. In response to rising traffic and usage on Shore Line East, a second 60-car order is now finalizing delivery.
Is BMW phasing out the M8?
The potent BMW M8 coupe and convertible will no longer be sold in North America starting with the 2021 model year, according to BMW. The 2-door M8s and M8 Competition versions are no more.