Spoiler alert, it won’t be coming cheap. The top of the range M8 Competition Coupe is pretty much a 3-million-Rand car at R2 958 053 sans options, and R3,089,486 for the roofless version.
While there are non 'Competition' badged iterations of the M8 elsewhere, Mzansi will be limited to the hotter model only. Both send power to all four wheels via BMW's prolific 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, made famous in the M5 models. And while the standard M8 will churn out an already healthy 441kW, the Competition is dialled all the way up to 460kW with power peaking at 6000rpm but is capable of revving all the way to a lofty 7200rpm. Torque maxes out at 750Nm and all that twist helps the M8 Competition Coupe pounce from zero to one hundred in a blistering 3.2 seconds.
The Convertible will accomplish the same feat in 3.3. We know. Slow. Seriously though, both BMWs will whip a Lamborghini Huracan LP580-2 to 100kph, and that's just mental. All wheel drive has really equipped super coupes and saloons with physics bending performance stats, but sadly this does tend to tame the handling. Thankfully, the M8 features a rear bias AWD system and that means a 'drift mode' is present just in case you'd like to incinerate those expensive rear tyres as quickly as you can. Thoughtful.
There's way too much to unpack here, such as the gratuitous amounts of tech and connectivity, the cleverly integrated braking and sports chassis, that M signature cockpit and more (have a gander at the gallery for a better idea...). And at this price it better.
What if I hate words and I really just want to watch a video of the new M8?
Well, here you go! And with the optional M Drivers Package (good for 305 kph too) and lathered in BMW Individual Frozen Marina Bay Blue paint, too.
Okay, now tell me about the Gran Coupe
Well, while there now exists an 8 Series Gran Coupe, BMW haven't given it the M8 treatment just yet.
So, if you insist on a slippery four door quasi Coupe you'll just have to be satisfied with the 'meagre' M850i xDrive GC. It comes with BMW’s new 4.4-litre V8 turbopetrol engine with 390kW and 750Nm, mated to an eight-speed auto.
The M850i is further blessed with 20-inch M-sport alloys, and similarly badged diffusers and brakes. But neither these nor the M-sport badges in the cabin will make it an M8. And I couldn't live with that. Could you?
