BMW’S FOUR-DOOR SPORTS CAR is already a tempting proposition, assuming you can find the substantial asking price. But in Q2 2020, there’ll be an even more expensive alternative, the M8 Competition Gran Coupé.
The new four-door sports car was derived from the M8 Competition Coupé and developed alongside the mighty BMW M8 GTE endurance racer.
Its powertrain, chassis and aerodynamics were adapted to suit the standalone concept and tested extensively at BMW Group’s proving grounds, the Nürburgring-Nordschleife and other race circuits.
The M8 Competition Gran Coupé features a high-revving eight-cylinder engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology generating 460kW and 750Nm.
It gets a sports exhaust that provides a racecar-like note (we still don’t understand how these switchable exhaust systems meet Australian Design Rules) and an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic for precise shifts regardless of the driving style.
In addition, the M8 Competition incorporates the M xDrive all-wheel-drive system that transfers the engine’s power to the road via a centrally controlled interaction with the rear axle-mounted Active M Differential.
The M xDrive system has a rear-biased configuration in its default 4WD mode.
Drivers can use a Setup menu to select 4WD Sport mode, which sends an even higher proportion of drive to the rear wheels.
Deactivation of DSC brings 2WD mode into play, with drive fed exclusively through the rear wheels.
During vehicle development, track use demand prompted the implementation of model-specific chassis technology, as well as the use of extremely stiff mountings connecting the chassis to the body.
The M8 Competition Gran Coupé includes electronically controlled dampers and electromechanical M Servotronic steering, while a new M-specific integrated braking system enables two brake pedal settings to suit specific driving styles and situations.
Adjustment of the brake pedal functionality is accessible through the Setup function, where settings for the engine, dampers and steering can also be personalised.
Two individually composed variants of the M Setup can be stored and called up using the M buttons on the steering wheel.
The M Mode button on the centre console also allows driver assistance systems and the instrument cluster/Head-Up Display to be configured as required.
Drivers can additionally select TRACK mode in addition to ROAD and SPORT modes depending on their preference.
The dramatic new exterior styling of the M8 Competition Gran Coupé is characterised by a dynamically-stretched silhouette, muscular shoulders and a distinctive standalone rear-end design.
It complements these aspects with larger air intakes, M gills on the side panels, aerodynamically-optimised exterior mirrors and a rear spoiler.
The wheelbase of the M8 Competition Gran Coupé is 200 millimetres longer than that of the two-door BMW M8 Competition Coupé, allowing for exceptional levels (relatively speaking) of space in the rear compartment.
Other interior design highlights include exclusive M Sport front seats with integrated illuminated M8 badging and bi-colour leather trim.
The instrument cluster, Control Display and Head-Up Display also provide the driver with M-specific readouts.
Local specification and pricing detail for the all-new M8 Competition Gran Coupé will be released closer to the launch date. Expect the price to be, shall we say, “substantial”, and well over $300,000.