BMW launches the M8 Competition
Engineering a car to be equally adept at track days and long-distance luxury touring is undoubtedly a tough challenge. According to its manufacturer, the new M8 Competition achieves that objective.
Performance is certainly spectacular. A 4.4 litre, twin-turbocharged V8 – the most powerful engine ever seen in a BMW M production model – pumps out 616 bhp (460 kW / 625 PS) with up to 750 Nm (553 lb/ft) of torque. That output gets sent to a rear-biased M xDrive all-wheel drive system via an eight-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission.
When accelerating from rest, the Coupé can reach 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.2 seconds and 124 mph (200 km/h) in just 10.6 seconds. The times for the Convertible are 3.3 and 11.1 seconds respectively. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph (250 km/h), but that figure rises to 189 mph (305 km/h) if the optional M Driver’s Package is specified.
However, anybody contemplating buying an M8 Competition had better be prepared to spend hours studying the owner’s manual, because the range of settings verges on bewildering.
They include Efficient, Sport and Sport Plus for the engine; Comfort and Sport for the M Servotronic electromechanical steering; Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus for the electronically-controlled adaptive dampers; Comfort and Sport for the brake pedal feel; 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD for the M xDrive.
Furthermore, there’s an M Dynamic mode. This affects the Dynamic Stability Control, Active M Differential and M xDrive to allow more wheel slip. If required, the Dynamic Stability Control can be deactivated completely.
That shouldn’t be confused with the M Mode button, which changes how the driver assistance functions intervene, as well as what’s shown on the instrument cluster and head-up display. Road, Sport and Track configurations can be selected.
Bespoke bumpers, adaptive LED headlights, 20” bi-colour forged alloy wheels, a boot lid spoiler and, on the Coupé, a ‘double-bubble’ carbon fibre roof panel identify the M8 Competition.
The interior features quilted Merino leather upholstery and electrically-adjustable front sports seats. Among the standard technologies are BMW Live Cockpit Professional (comprising a 12.3” digital instrument array, a 10.25” central touchscreen, gesture control, satellite navigation and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant) and Parking Assistant Plus (incorporating a rear-view camera, a top view and a panorama view).
Such capabilities and equipment levels don’t come cheap, of course. On-the-road prices for the M8 Competition Coupé start at £123,435, while the Convertible costs from £130,435.
Related post:
Top 10: Facts about the 2019 BMW 8 Series
Performance is certainly spectacular. A 4.4 litre, twin-turbocharged V8 – the most powerful engine ever seen in a BMW M production model – pumps out 616 bhp (460 kW / 625 PS) with up to 750 Nm (553 lb/ft) of torque. That output gets sent to a rear-biased M xDrive all-wheel drive system via an eight-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission.
When accelerating from rest, the Coupé can reach 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.2 seconds and 124 mph (200 km/h) in just 10.6 seconds. The times for the Convertible are 3.3 and 11.1 seconds respectively. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph (250 km/h), but that figure rises to 189 mph (305 km/h) if the optional M Driver’s Package is specified.
However, anybody contemplating buying an M8 Competition had better be prepared to spend hours studying the owner’s manual, because the range of settings verges on bewildering.
They include Efficient, Sport and Sport Plus for the engine; Comfort and Sport for the M Servotronic electromechanical steering; Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus for the electronically-controlled adaptive dampers; Comfort and Sport for the brake pedal feel; 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD for the M xDrive.
Furthermore, there’s an M Dynamic mode. This affects the Dynamic Stability Control, Active M Differential and M xDrive to allow more wheel slip. If required, the Dynamic Stability Control can be deactivated completely.
That shouldn’t be confused with the M Mode button, which changes how the driver assistance functions intervene, as well as what’s shown on the instrument cluster and head-up display. Road, Sport and Track configurations can be selected.
Bespoke bumpers, adaptive LED headlights, 20” bi-colour forged alloy wheels, a boot lid spoiler and, on the Coupé, a ‘double-bubble’ carbon fibre roof panel identify the M8 Competition.
The interior features quilted Merino leather upholstery and electrically-adjustable front sports seats. Among the standard technologies are BMW Live Cockpit Professional (comprising a 12.3” digital instrument array, a 10.25” central touchscreen, gesture control, satellite navigation and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant) and Parking Assistant Plus (incorporating a rear-view camera, a top view and a panorama view).
Such capabilities and equipment levels don’t come cheap, of course. On-the-road prices for the M8 Competition Coupé start at £123,435, while the Convertible costs from £130,435.
Related post:
Top 10: Facts about the 2019 BMW 8 Series
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