BMW M8 Confirmed With More than 600 HP; Enters Final Testing Phase

The BMW 8 Series coupe will soon be on dealership floors, the convertible was recently revealed and the Gran Coupe is not far off from launch either. But, the 8 Series we are all looking forward to is the M8. The M5’s bigger brother and successor to the M6, BMW has confirmed is in final stages of testing with engineers conducting the final evaluations at top racetracks.

The M8 will utilize the high revving 4.4-liter turbo V8 of the M5 along with its eight-speed automatic, and rear-biased all-wheel-drive system with driver selectable rear-wheel drive. While, the M8 might use the M5’s powertrain, it will be much more powerful than its younger sibling. Just how powerful remains to be seen.

Recent rumors suggest that the M8 could be capable of doing 0-62 mph time in under 3.4 seconds, and the top speed should be in excess of 186 mph. The M5 Competition produces 617 hp (460 kW / 625 PS) and 553 lb-ft (750 Nm) of torque and can accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 3.3 seconds. We expect the standard M8 to be similar to the M5 Competition in terms of performance but BMW could turn things up further on the M8 Competition.

The BMW M8 will also benefit from enhanced body rigidity, weight reduction, better weight distribution with a lower center of gravity compared to the M850i.

The M8 coupe will launch in 2019 likely at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. An M8 Convertible and M8 Gran Coupe will follow soon after. Expect a starting price around the $150,000 mark. The M8 will compete with the Mercedes-Benz AMG S63 Coupe.