The 2020 BMW M8 Coupe Will Be a 600-Plus-HP Beast

Photo credit: BMW
Photo credit: BMW

From Car and Driver

BMW has only just begun fleshing out its new 8-series lineup: the coupe and convertible are here, but there are many more variants to come. The big Kahuna is the full-bore, high-performance M8 version that arrives next year. While we're still a ways out from its official debut, BMW has released some details about the M8, along with photos of a prototype that reveal much of its visuals.

Most of the mechanical aspects that we speculated on before are now confirmed: the M8 will use the same twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 engine as the M5 sedan, and it'll make north of 600 horsepower; figure on the same 617-hp output as the M5 Competition. All-wheel drive will be standard, but, like the M5's system, it'll have a rear-biased mode for drift fanatics. BMW isn't talking transmissions, but we suspect an eight-speed automatic will be the only choice. Expected to be lighter than the M6 coupe it effectively replaces, the M8 will also have plenty of chassis tweaks and an M-specific suspension setup with a wider track and more aggressive tuning.

Photo credit: BMW
Photo credit: BMW

The way the M8 looks is hardly a surprise. BMW applies the familiar M treatment to add plenty of visual aggression to the attractively proportioned 8-series coupe. A wide-body kit and larger wheels and tires give it a more athletic stance, while extra air intakes and a few aerodynamic tweaks such as different mirrors and a rear spoiler are presumably functional. We haven't seen the M8's interior yet, but we feel certain it'll have plenty of faux-suede trim to give it a "sportier" feel.

BMW says that the M8 coupe will be launching first in mid-2019, with M8 convertible and M8 Gran Coupe versions to follow. Expect pricing to be well into six-figure territory, as the standard M850i xDrive coupe already starts at $112,895.

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