It has been some time since BMW had a true supercar in its line-up. The legendary M1 of the early 1980s was the last offering in that league. But all that is about to change…
Stories of a range-leading BMW M8 have been doing the rounds for some time now, but it seems that the reality may be as close as two years away.
With the launch of the carbon fibre-based i8 next year, BMW has an ideal platform on which to base a high-performance model. The stiff architecture and light weight make it an ideal starting point for a car that would take on the likes of Lamborghini’s upcoming Cabrera and Audi’s R8. If BMW can keep the mass down to under 1,5 tonnes, it will be doing really well in the segment considering how heavy some of competitors are.
From a styling point of view the M8 will obviously differ from the i8 and will (hopefully) have some of the cues used in the red design concept (above) from a few years back.
The most likely source of power is the firm’s twin-turbocharged, V8 engine that already does duty in the M5 and M6. But we can expect somewhere in the region on 450 kW, if not a bit more. Drive will be delivered, in true BMW fashion, to the rear wheels via the excellent M-DCT automated transmission.
How exactly this fits in with BMW’s ongoing “electrification” process and “sustainable mobility” as proposed by the firm at the launch of the i brand, we’re not quite sure. What we do know, however, is that petrolheads and BMW aficionados will welcome the arrival of another supercar from the Bavarians.
