BMW M8 and M8 Competition unveiled
BMW revealed the highly anticipated M8 and M8 Competition variants in both the coupe and convertible derivatives.
Starting on the front of the 4 867mm long, 1 907mm wide and 1 362mm tall, machine with a 2 827mm wheelbase, you will find the updated and enlarged vents on the front apron featuring high gloss black finish elements to match the kidney grille which now features double bars and an M8 logo finished in chrome.
Fitted as standard are Adaptive LED headlights while the BMW Laserlight with Selective Beam featuring a high-beam range of around 600m comes optional. In all four corners, the German manufacturer fitted 20-inch M light-alloy wheels with a twin-spoke design comes as the standard option for the M8 Coupe and Convertible models while the Competition models come standard on 20-inch forged M light-alloy wheels, identifiable by its gloss-milled 3D structure and bi-colour design. The rear sees an apron specific to M vehicles which also features a diffuser inlay in contrasting colour and twin exhaust tailpipes finished in chrome as standard on M8 models. A black chrome finish sport exhaust system, standard on the Competition models are optional on the M8 Coupe and Convertible derivatives.
On the boot lid, you will find a spoiler added to the entire range, while the spoiler on the Competition variants will be painted the high gloss black, the standard M models will get theirs in body colour. Optional on all models is the Carbon exterior package which will see to it that the inlays for the front air intakes, exterior mirror caps, M gills, rear diffuser and the rear spoiler are made from CFRP and receive a notch in the centre of the spoiler, mirrors and the double-bubble contour of the roof.
The centre console covered in the standard Merino leather available in two colours will match the seats and transmission selector lever featuring Drivelogic. While both the M8 and M8 Competition variants get Carbon Fibre trim finishes inside the cockpit, the Competition models are exclusively available with a bicolour leather/Alcantara trim package which will see to it that the central section on the seats, door cards, centre console and the lower section of the instrument panel has Alcantara surfacing and contrasting stitching.
In BMW M tradition, the interior has red accents on the start/stop button as well as on the M buttons found on leather covered steering wheel. The seats will come in with perforated 3D quilting pattern and integral head restraints with illuminated model badges. Before going into the options list, you will have access to the BMW Live Cockpit Professional with navigation and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant with BMW Connected and BMW ConnectedDrive. The new range will also come standard with telephony with wireless charging, a Head-Up Display, the Driving Assistant and Parking Assistant and a BMW Display Key.
The options list includes Active Cruise Control with the Stop & Go function, Night Vision system, lane control assistant, lane keeping assistant including active side collision protection, Evasion Assistant and Parking Assistant Plus which enables the Top View, Panorama View and 3D Top View.
In the rear the backrest is able to fold down in a 50:50 configuration to increase luggage space from the standard 420-litres of the Coupe and the 350-litres in the Convertible. The motivation for the M8 Coupe and Convertible comes from a 4.4-litre V8 fitted with twin scroll twin turbochargers and is able to produce 441 kW and generate up to 750 N.m of torque while the Competition derivatives fitted with the same powertrain except for the addition of a cross-bank exhaust manifold is able to produce 460 kW while the torque figure remains the same.
The new BMW M8 Coupe and BMW M8 Competition Coupe, as well as the new BMW M8 Convertible and BMW M8 Competition Convertible, will be available in South Africa in the fourth quarter of 2019 with pricing to be revealed closer to the time.
