The 2025 BMW M8 Competition: A Grand Tourer That Thinks It’s a Supercar
For years, the automotive world neatly categorized vehicles. Sports cars delivered thrills, luxury cars provided comfort, and SUVs…well, they did their best. But as technology roared forward, blurring those lines, we’ve arrived at a point where machines are expected to do it all. Think Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT – a family SUV that carves corners like a sports car. Or the McLaren 720S, with hypercar speed and surprising daily usability. The question isn’t just “what can a car do?” but “how well can it do everything?”
And then there’s the BMW M8 Competition, a $160,000 coupe with 617 horsepower. At first glance, it appears to be a high-powered luxury GT. But after spending a week behind the wheel, this machine is something else entirely. It’s a grand tourer with the soul of a supercar, an overachiever that redefines expectations.
During my decade in the automotive industry, I’ve seen plenty of manufacturers attempt to blend these genres, often with mixed results. Some fall flat, stretching too thin to appeal to a broader audience. The BMW M8 Competition avoids that pitfall. It’s not just a fast GT; it’s a supremely capable machine that challenges cars costing twice as much.
Historically, BMW’s grand tourers excelled at comfort and effortless highway cruising. The original 8-Series was hardly a track star, and even the V10-powered M6, while fantastic on the open road, wasn’t exactly a corner carver. The current M8 Competition throws that playbook out the window. It’s not just pushing the boundaries of what a modern M-badged GT can be; it demonstrates what it should be.
Introduced in 2019 as the M6’s successor, the M8 Competition largely maintains its predecessor’s overall design. The dimensions are strikingly similar, with the M8 being slightly shorter, wider, and lower. While the curb weight increases by a modest 45 pounds, this is offset by the standard all-wheel-drive system.
The real change lies in the M8’s performance. In Competition trim, its twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine produces 617 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. Like most modern performance BMWs, that power is delivered to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. The BMW M8 Competition rockets to 60 mph in a claimed three seconds and reaches a top speed of 155 mph (or 190 mph with the M Driver’s Package). This exhilarating BMW M8 Competition provides a thrilling driving experience
However, the numbers only tell part of the story. Within minutes of getting behind the wheel, you realize those figures are underrated. Three seconds to 60 mph is quick in anything, especially a car that weighs nearly two tons. But the M8 feels even faster. The power delivery is visceral. BMW has since added mild-hybrid systems to its fast SUVs to enhance responsiveness, but it’s hard to see what the M8 is missing.
Taking the M8 Competition on a winding back road is a revelation. You’d need something from McLaren, Lamborghini, or Ferrari to outpace it in the corners. And as soon as the road straightens out, this luxury grand tourer is as quick as many exotic supercars. While it might seem odd to call a $160,000 coupe an overachiever, consider that you’d need to spend significantly more to match its all-around performance.
However, the M8’s speed can feel somewhat detached. While the excellent noise isolation makes the cabin feel incredibly refined, it also distances you from the driving experience. You don’t quite feel the physics-bending performance. The incredibly effective and precise electronic power steering and optional carbon-ceramic brakes ($8,150) offer limited feedback. Even the engine note, piped through the speakers, sounds somewhat muffled in most situations. Addressing these points would further enhance the already impressive driving dynamics of the BMW M8 Competition.
Body roll is inevitable in cars of this size and power. BMW could have stiffened the adaptive suspension to eliminate this unwanted motion, but that would have compromised ride quality. Finding the right balance is critical, especially in a GT. BMW has had some missteps in the past, but the M8 Competition’s Adaptive M Suspension is impressive. It’s slightly firmer than the standard M8, but still surprisingly comfortable. While it doesn’t completely mask the car’s weight in tight corners, the trade-off is worth it for retaining daily usability.
Don’t mistake body roll for a lack of agility. The BMW M8 Competition tackles corners in a way that defies its size and weight. The grip seems endless, and the all-wheel-drive system puts the power down effectively. For added fun, you can disengage the front wheels entirely and exit corners sideways like an old-school BMW. The softer suspension actually helps here, making the car less snappy at the limit and boosting driver confidence.
On the open highway, the M8 truly shines. Like its predecessor, this GT is most at home cruising at high speeds. It’s comfortable, yet composed, and the noise isolation keeps the cabin quiet. Here, the M8 showcases the other half of its personality, equally adept at chasing supercars or tackling a cross-country road trip. This duality makes it a compelling choice for those seeking performance and comfort.
A key factor in the M8’s comfort is its seating. The cabin is swathed in leather, with carbon-fiber trim adding a touch of sportiness. The standard M Sport Seats are the right choice. While BMW offers carbon-backed bucket seats as an option, they are better suited for an M2 or M3. The standard seats provide a better balance of support and comfort, making long journeys more enjoyable. Choosing the right options is key to maximizing your BMW M8 Competition experience.
Entering its sixth model year in 2025, the BMW M8 Competition receives subtle updates. The central infotainment screen grows to 12.3 inches, bringing the interior up to par with the rest of the BMW lineup. Exterior changes are equally minor. M Shadowline trim is available for the Adaptive LED headlights, along with new colors like Frozen Pure Grey, Tanzanite Blue II, and Isle of Man Green. These small refinements keep the M8 Competition feeling fresh and modern.
The BMW M8 Competition is a masterclass in using modern technology to make a large car dance. It may look like a GT on paper, and its isolation from the outside world reinforces that impression, but it possesses a undeniable sports car spirit. By combining supercar performance with a comfortable ride and a luxurious cabin, the M8 achieves a level of duality that most modern GTs can only dream of.
For $160,000, the BMW M8 Competition offers a breadth of personality that makes it a compelling all-in-one solution. It’s a car that can handle daily commutes, weekend track days, and cross-country road trips with equal aplomb. If you’re looking for a high-performance luxury car that can do it all, the BMW M8 Competition should be at the top of your list. It’s a testament to what’s possible when engineering and technology converge to create something truly special. This is a true luxury grand tourer.
Ready to experience the exhilarating performance and luxurious comfort of the BMW M8 Competition for yourself? Visit your local BMW dealer today to schedule a test drive and discover why this overachieving GT is redefining expectations.
