BMW M8 Competition: A Grand Tourer That Defies Expectations
For years, automakers rigidly defined their vehicles. Sports cars prioritized athleticism, luxury cars coddled occupants, and SUVs embraced ruggedness. But the automotive landscape has evolved, blurring these boundaries. The Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT effortlessly blends family functionality with track-ready performance, while the McLaren 720S delivers supercar thrills alongside surprising daily usability. This newfound versatility has redefined our expectations of what a car can be.
However, not every vehicle seamlessly merges these disparate roles. Some falter, failing to resonate with their target audience. Then there’s the BMW M8 Competition, a 617-horsepower coupe that initially appears as a luxurious grand tourer but, upon closer examination, reveals a surprising level of athleticism. As someone deeply entrenched in the automotive industry for over a decade, I’ve witnessed this evolution firsthand, and the M8 Competition exemplifies this shift perfectly.
Historically, BMW’s grand tourers prioritized comfort and long-distance cruising. The original 8-Series wasn’t designed for track performance, and even the V10-powered M6, while impressive on the open road, lacked agility on winding backroads. The current range-topping 8-Series challenges this legacy, redefining what a modern M-badged GT can achieve.
The Evolution of a High-Performance GT
The BMW M8 Competition, introduced in 2019, largely retains its predecessor’s overall formula. Dimensions are comparable, with the M8 being slightly shorter, wider, and lower. While curb weight increases marginally (about 45 pounds), this is offset by the inclusion of a standard all-wheel-drive system.
However, the M8’s performance has undergone a significant transformation. In Competition guise, its twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 produces a staggering 617 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, representing a modest increase over the standard M8’s 600-hp output. Power is delivered to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. The result is a blistering 0-60 mph time of just three seconds and a top speed of 155 mph (or 190 mph with the M Driver’s Package).
These figures, impressive as they are, don’t fully convey the car’s true potential. The M8 Competition feels even quicker than the numbers suggest. The turbo-eight delivers power with remarkable immediacy and ferocity. While BMW has incorporated mild-hybrid systems in its fast SUVs to enhance responsiveness, the M8 Competition demonstrates that such technology isn’t always necessary. The car’s raw power and refined engineering speak for themselves.
On challenging backroads, only a select few vehicles from the likes of McLaren, Lamborghini, or Ferrari can truly outpace the M8 Competition in the corners. And once the road straightens, this full-size luxury GT matches the speed of many high-dollar exotics. While a $160,000 price tag might seem steep for a super coupe, consider that you’d need to spend considerably more to achieve comparable performance. In that context, the M8 Competition is undeniably an overachiever.
The Sensory Disconnect: Speed Without Feeling
Despite its incredible speed, the M8 Competition suffers from a slight disconnect between the speedometer reading and the driver’s perception. The car’s exceptional noise isolation, while contributing to a refined cabin ambiance, diminishes the driving experience by minimizing the sensation of speed. The electronic power steering and optional carbon-ceramic brakes ($8,150), while undeniably effective, provide limited feedback. Even the engine note, amplified through the car’s speakers, sounds somewhat muted in most scenarios. This lack of visceral connection is a common criticism of modern performance cars, and it’s present to some extent in the M8 Competition.
Finding the Balance: Comfort and Control
Body roll is an inevitable consequence of the M8 Competition’s power and weight. BMW faced the challenge of optimizing the adaptive suspension system to mitigate this unwanted motion without compromising ride comfort. The range of the M8 Competition’s Adaptive M Suspension is impressive. While slightly firmer than the standard M8, it remains surprisingly compliant. Although it doesn’t completely mask the car’s heft in tight corners, the trade-off is worthwhile for maintaining daily drivability.
Don’t mistake body roll for a lack of agility. The BMW M8 Competition tackles corners with surprising competence for its size and weight. Grip is seemingly endless, and despite some initial push from the front end upon corner entry, the all-wheel-drive system ensures optimal power delivery on exit. For those seeking a more traditional BMW experience, the front wheels can be completely disengaged, allowing for controlled slides through corners. The softer suspension enhances driver confidence by making the car less prone to snap oversteer when approaching its limits.
Grand Touring Excellence: A Highway Star
On the open highway, the M8 Competition truly shines. Like its predecessor and many other BMW M cars, this GT excels at effortlessly maintaining triple-digit speeds. It’s comfortable yet controlled, and the exceptional noise isolation creates a surprisingly serene cabin environment. Here, the M8 Competition showcases the other half of its personality, proving equally adept at chasing supercars and embarking on cross-country road trips.
The M8 Competition effortlessly blends high-performance capabilities with grand touring comfort. It is a masterclass in automotive engineering, seamlessly merging power, technology, and luxury.
Interior Comfort and Technology: A Refined Cabin
A significant contributor to the car’s overall comfort is its seat selection. The cabin is swathed in leather, and my tester featured carbon-fiber trim. The standard M Sport Seats are the ideal choice for this car. BMW offers carbon-backed bucket seats as an optional extra, but while they might be suitable for an M2 or M3, they’re fundamentally mismatched to the M8 Competition’s grand touring mission. While they might slightly enhance the backroad driving experience, they would detract from the car’s overall comfort and usability.
As the BMW M8 Competition enters its fifth model year, BMW has added new options to its extensive list of extras. The central infotainment screen has grown from 10.25 inches to 12.3 inches, bringing the car’s interior up to date with the rest of the BMW lineup. Exterior changes are equally subtle. M Shadowline trim is now available for the Adaptive LED headlights, and a range of striking colors, such as Frozen Pure Grey, Tanzanite Blue II, and Isle of Man Green, have been added to the palette.
A Masterclass in Modern Performance
The BMW M8 Competition is a testament to the power of modern technology. It allows a large, heavy car to handle with the agility of a lightweight sports car. While it may appear as a grand tourer on paper, and its refined cabin certainly reinforces this impression, there’s no denying its sports car credentials. By combining supercar performance with a relatively compliant suspension and a luxurious cabin, this car achieves a duality that most modern GTs can’t match.
For the nearly $160,000 price tag of my Imola Red tester, the breadth of the BMW M8 Competition’s personality makes it a compelling all-in-one solution. If you are in the market for a BMW M8 Competition in the United States, specifically in cities like Los Angeles, New York, or Miami, researching local dealerships will be crucial to find the best deals and options available.
High-Performance GT: The Ultimate Driving Experience
The M8 Competition stands as a testament to BMW’s commitment to pushing boundaries and redefining automotive expectations. If you’re seeking a vehicle that seamlessly blends exhilarating performance with luxurious comfort, the M8 Competition deserves serious consideration. Its ability to deliver both supercar thrills and grand touring serenity makes it a truly exceptional machine.
Ready to experience the thrill of the BMW M8 Competition for yourself? Contact your local BMW dealer today to schedule a test drive and discover the perfect blend of performance and luxury.
