As rumors go, this one falls into the "really good rumor" category. The very reliable BMWBLOG has reported it has several sources who have confirmed BMW will produce a range-topping M8 Coupe, M8 Convertible, and M8 Gran Coupe.
We already knew—or were pretty sure—from spy photos that a new 8 Series Coupe was coming. We also knew that BMW had trademarked an M8 badge. Now this news from BMWBLOG gives us more hope that we will see a new M car in a series that has never before had one. Or at least not one that BMW ever put on the market.
Actually, BMW did build an M8 based on the original E31 8 Series Coupe but only one was ever made and very few people have ever even seen it.
The rumored due date for the F92 M8 (see—it even has a factory designation already) is 2019. The F91 M8 Convertible and F93 M8 Gran Coupe will follow in 2020.
A new M8 will probably feature the same or similar drivetrain as the F90 M5 that is due out later this year—updated for whatever technology BMW will be putting on engines in 2019. The M5 will have a turbocharged V8 putting out close to 600 horsepower. The new M5 will have some variant of all-wheel drive, probably heavily biased toward the rear and possibly with an off switch, so it is easy to imagine that a new M8 could have the same setup.
As usual, we prefer not to print rumors unless they are rumors that we really hope come true. Despite the likelihood that we won't actually see it for a couple of years and that if it comes, it probably will be heavier than we like and certainly very expensive, the prospect of a brand new M car is quite tantalizing.—Scott Blazey
[Photo courtesy of BMW AG.]
