We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: the 2019 BMW M850i is the quintessential grand touring machine. However, a little bird told us an M version of the 8-Series is in the works. And in a strange twist of fate, the German carmaker didn’t take long to finally unveil the 2020 BMW M8.
And boy, the new M8 is a serious performance contender.
Don’t get us wrong. The normal M850i is already packing a serious punch. But the M8 brings supercar levels of performance in a plush, cosseting, and stylish GT car.
Here are the reasons why the new BMW M8 is pushing the boundaries in terms of luxury and performance.
The BMW M8 is available as a coupe or convertible
This is a good move by BMW. Since the plebeian M850i is already offered in coupe and convertible body styles, why not do the same for the high-performance M8? BMW did just that.
And besides, this is the first ever M model for the 8 Series. If you need to know, the first-generation 8-Series was never offered as an M variant.
But there’s more. The 2020 BMW M8 is also available in Competition trim. The standard M8 receives the magnificent 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 motor of the M5. It also has the same 600-horsepower and 553 pound-feet torque output in the M5. But the M8 Competition gets a 617-horsepower version of the V8 motor, and you can have it with a hardtop or folding soft top.
No matter which you choose, all versions of the M8 gets an 8-speed automatic and BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system.
It has a rear-biased AWD system
Let’s talk more about the new xDrive AWD system in the 2020 BMW M8. It’s an intelligent rear-biased all-wheel-drive system and transfers the torque automatically between the front and rear wheels. The Active M differential splits the power between the rear wheels depending on the given situation.
In normal mode, the BMW M8 is driven by the rear wheels. This gives the car supercar-levels of acceleration and driving feel. But once the system detects slippage in the rear wheels, it sends some of the torque to the front wheels to offer better traction.
It all sounds terribly complicated, but you don’t need to do anything as the system works stealthily in the background. However, you can also choose the orientation of the AWD system. In default 4WD mode, the system provides maximum traction for tighter handling. Selecting 4WD Sport sends more of the pushing force to the rear wheels for a more dynamic driving experience. Finally, shifting to 2WD mode will only power the rear wheels. This also means the freedom to perform thick and glorious burnouts without destroying the drivetrain.
The BMW M8 is seriously quick
The stock M850i is not a slow car . It hits 60 mph in 3.6-seconds and has an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph. However, the 2020 BMW M8 coupe achieves 0 to 60 mph in 3.1-seconds. The convertible is one-tenth of a second slower while the M8 is one-tenths quicker.
What does this all mean? It means the new BMW M8 is just as quick as the McLaren 70S, which is designed from the ground up to be an all-conquering supercar. In the meantime, the BMW M8 is a luxurious and cosseting grand touring car. Amazing, right? Especially if you consider the M8 weighs more than two tons.
But that’s not all. The new BMW M8 is reputably quicker than the Aston Martin Vantage and will give the $335,000 Ferrari 812 Superfast a serious run for the money.
It comes with subtle yet aggressive styling touches
What we really like about the 2020 BMW M8 is the styling. BMW didn’t go crazy by adding unnecessary vents, flaps, or a humongous rear spoiler. The trademarked BMW kidney grille and side gills are finished in black chrome, while the rear diffuser, subtle rear spoiler, and mirror caps have a glossy black finish. The M8 also gets adaptive LED headlights with BMW’s Laserlight.
The M8 Coupe and Competition model is equipped with a carbon fiber roof. Convertible models get a multi-layer insulated fabric soft top. Both roof styles are engineered to reduce weight and lower the center of gravity in the M8.
The cherry on the icing is the 15-second folding action of the soft top roof. And you can do while moving at speeds of up to 30 mph.
Supercar performance and premium luxury at a friendly price
On the inside, the 2020 BMW M8 is both sporting and luxurious. The exclusive M sport seats are firm enough to offer better support but offer the right levels of comfort for longer drives. The cabin is awash with genuine leather, carbon-fiber, steel, or wood trim. The standard adaptive M suspension automatically adjusts the damping force for a smooth and well-controlled ride. You can choose from three suspension settings to fine-tune the comfort and handling prowess in your BMW M8.
Best of all, you get supercar levels of performance and premium levels of comfort and equipment in a relatively affordable package. The 2020 BMW M8 Coupe starts at $133,000 while the convertible starts at $142,500. The M8 Competition starts at $146,000 and $155,000 for the coupe and convertible model.
