If you’re looking for something to comfortably cruise around the country, the BMW 8 Series is one of the best options. However, BMW has also created a few high-performance models for gearheads that want their cruiser to double as the ultimate track toy. In this segment, BMW has developed the M8 and the ultimate M8 Competition.
The M8 Competition builds on the impressive M8 with a tuned engine and a lighter overall design. The M8 Competition also includes a few unique design elements that we were privileged to witness firsthand at M Fest as we took the impressive coupe on a few flying laps around the Kyalami Grand Prix circuit.
Want to learn more about the mighty M8 Competition from BMW? You’re in the right place. Here’s what we learned from driving the M8 Competition.
10 Wide, Aggressive Stance
The BMW M8 was built to be the ultimate country cruiser. This means that the M8 paired the luxury of a grand touring coupe with the performance of a specialist sports car to give you the best of both worlds. From our experience around Kyalami, BMW got this mix spot on.
The M8 Competition builds on the M8 with an even more aggressive stance. The M8 Competition comes with a blacked-out front grille, wide rear arches, and tons of black trim around the exterior of the car. This gives the coupe an even wider, more aggressive stance on the road.
9 Luxury Performance
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The M8 Competition blends performance with luxury. The interior of the M8 Competition includes black, Merino leather seats that come with Sakhir Orange Alcantara upholstery. The center console is firmly secured in place and is covered with exposed carbon fiber.
While BMW included carbon fiber elements around the exterior of the M8 Competition, they also used it throughout the cabin. This gives the interior a brilliant contrast of high-performance materials with soft, plush luxury finishes. The M8 Competition includes bucket seats covered with soft leather, making it the perfect example of luxury performance.
8 Impressive V8 Powertrain
The M8 Competition is one of the few coupes left that still retain a powerful V8 engine. While the V8 in the standard M8 could produce around 600 HP, the tuned V8 in the M8 Competition can produce around 625 HP and 553 lb-ft of torque.
The M8 Competition comes with a tuned version of the 4.4-liter V8 from the standard M8. This engine, paired with the weight savings and added aerodynamic performance of the Competition model, allows the M8 Competition to accelerate from 0 to 60 in just 3 seconds.
7 M Sport Transmission
The BMW M8 Competition comes with more than just a tuned engine. The Competition model also comes with BMW’s innovative, 8-speed transmission. This M Sport transmission comes with Drivelogic that can let you switch from automatic to manual with the tap of a button.
The M8 Competition includes motorsport-inspired paddle shifters on either side of the steering wheel. This can help you take over the transmission and quickly shift up and down without taking your hands off the wheel.
6 Adjustable Sport Exhaust
The M8 Competition comes with a powerful rear end. The Competition model includes a subtle, carbon fiber rear wing and a carbon fiber rear diffuser. This perfectly showcases the quad tailpipes from BMW that have been optimized specifically for the M8 Competition.
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The M8 Competition model comes with an M sound control button that can help you control the sound of the exhaust. This button allows you to quickly muzzle the sound of the exhaust when you need to be quiet but also lets you arrive with authority on track.
5 Carbon Ceramic Brakes
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While the M8 Competition comes with an incredibly powerful engine, it also comes with industry-leading braking technology to help you handle the coupe like a pro. The integrated brake system lets you completely configure the braking performance to set the car up perfectly for the track you’re on.
The brakes themselves are incredibly impressive. The M8 Competition comes with carbon ceramic brakes that can offer insane braking performance. This means that you can take on every corner with full confidence that you’ll be able to hit the perfect braking point.
4 Modern M Technology
The M8 Competition is the ultimate M car. This means that BMW included tons of technology from the brand to create something truly unique and powerful. Besides the incredibly powerful M engine, the M8 comes with aerodynamic aesthetics, exclusive M wheels, and a track mode for the instrument cluster.
The M8 also comes with the ability for owners to customize the setup of their cars. This means that you don’t have to settle for the standard ECO and SPORT options but can actually fine-tune the setup of the car depending on what track you’re going to be on.
3 Digital Instrument Cluster
The BMW M8 Competition comes with the same impressive infotainment system you can expect in any modern BMW. The iDrive system in the M8 Competition works seamlessly with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto so that you can effortlessly connect your phone to the system.
This system also includes a digital instrument cluster for the driver. This completely digital instrument cluster can change depending on what driver mode you’re on. The innovative display will adjust when you’re in the high-performance mode to show you the information you need in a clear and straightforward way.
2 Track Performance
The M8 Competition is an absolute track beast. As we learned first-hand at M Fest in Kyalami, the M8 Competition comes with an incredibly powerful engine with an impressive launch control system that can accelerate the car from 0 to 60 in just 3 seconds.
The BMW TwinPower Turbo engine works seamlessly with the engine management system to provide you with the exact amount of power you need. While you can put the car in SPORT + mode, the M8 Competition also lets you customize the entire setup of the car depending on the track that you’re on.
1 The Perfect M Coupe
The M8 Competition from BMW is a powerful, dynamic sports coupe. This impressive two-door coupe is available in a four-door variant as well, making it perfect for those who want the performance with a bit more practicality.
The M8 comes with the luxury needed to comfortably cross the country in style. However, the M8 Competition comes with a powerful 4.4-liter V8 engine that can crush any track day with ease. The M8 Competition can produce 625 HP, making it the second most powerful BMW engine on the market behind the limited-edition M5 CS.