What's the news?
Hot on the heels of the unveiled BMW Concept 8 Series, the BMW M division has confirmed that it is working in parallel on an M8 Coupe for 2018 release. Not only that, but it gave spectators at the Nürburgring 24-hour race an exclusive chance to see the M8 in action on track, as it was driven around the circuit before the race itself started this weekend.
Exterior
Admittedly, it's difficult to see beyond the usual swirly camouflage, so we don't really yet know how close to the concept's design the production car is, but the proportions and 'volumes' are unchanged so we have to assume it's just the detailing that is different. In the case of the M version of the 8 Series, we expect large air intakes up front, 20-inch alloy wheels, a fixed lip spoiler at the back and, of course, quad exhausts. Given that the BMW 7 Series uses carbon fibre in its make-up, we presume the new 8 Series and M8 will too.
Interior
No images or details of the M8's cabin have been released, but it should retain the 2+2 arrangement of the regular 8 Series and, along with that car, might usher in a new interior look for the brand if the concept is anything to go by. A multi-function touchscreen with gesture input is expected, as is the chunky new gear shifter and button layout of the 2018 M5. A mix of distinct sportiness and high-end luxury materials are in the pipeline, too.
Mechanicals
BMW M didn't mention what's under the bonnet of the M8, which gives us freedom to speculate. Will it use a further development of the BMW M5's twin-turbocharged V8? It should be possible to get 700hp out of that, we reckon. Or will the twin-turbocharged 6.6-litre V12 from the BMW M760Li be breathed upon and called into service? It's heavier and not necessary for high power outputs, but comes with added prestige. Some might speculate about the introduction of hybrid power, but we don't believe that will happen. Nonetheless, it's a safe bet to assume the 2018 M8 will use the fantastic new M xDrive four-wheel-drive system, as we experienced in the 2018 BMW M5 already, with various modes of operation, including pure rear-wheel drive.
According to Frank van Meel, President BMW M Division: "The future BMW M8 will build on the genes of the 8 Series and augment its DNA with added track ability and generous extra portions of dynamic sharpness, precision and agility. It all flows into a driving experience that bears the familiar BMW M hallmarks and satisfies our customers' most exacting requirements."
The only titbits of information to be gleaned from the official release, the images of the disguised car and the teaser video are that it has modified brakes (they look like steel discs, but we'd expect carbon ceramic to be optional) and a sports exhaust. An Active M Differential is likely to be used at the back and adaptive damping is a certainty.
Anything else?
BMW will return to Le Mans with a new GTE race version of the 2018 M8. "The BMW M8 GTE development programme for our Le Mans comeback is in full swing," says Jens Marquardt, BMW Motorsport Director. "Developing a new racing car is always exciting, and in the case of the BMW M8 GTE the anticipation is that much greater still. We can't reveal any pictures yet, but I can promise you that the BMW M8 GTE will look spectacular. We are planning an initial roll-out for the first half of this year and are looking at giving the car its race debut in the Daytona 24 Hours in late January 2018."
I guess that tells us when we'll see the showroom-ready BMW M8, too.
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