BMW's flagship 8 Series line is set to expand with the addition of the 2020 M8 Gran Coupe, the sixth distinct version of the model introduced in 2019 as a coupe and convertible.
Following June's announcement of the M850i Gran Coupe, the latest variant builds on that four-door body style while adopting the higher-performance powertrain and chassis from the two-door M8.
BMW provided a preview of the M8 Gran Coupe at the 2018 Geneva auto show, where it displayed a concept version of the car that left little to the imagination. With its four-door body and a hatchback housing a large cargo area, the M8 Gran Coupe gives BMW a competitor for the Audi RS7 and Porsche Panamera Turbo.
With a 4.4L turbo V8 cranking out 600 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque (or 617 hp with an optional Competition package), the M8 Gran Coupe becomes one of BMW's most potent four-doors, matching the M5 and slotting in below the M760Li and Alpina B7 full-size sedans. BMW says the M8 Gran Coupe is good for 3.3 seconds to 100 km/h, or 3.2 with in Competition trim.
The M8 Gran Coupe arrives in Canada in January in First Edition form, a limited run of 400 cars painted Aurora Green Metallic and with Goldbronze trim, and a full leather interior in an Ivory White/Tartufo colourway.
Like the M5 and X5 M and X6 M models that preceded it, the M8 Gran Coupe's V8 is fitted with more robust cooling to help it stand up to track driving. As well as adding 17 hp, the Competition package also broadens the engine's torque curve. A 250 km/h top speed can be loosened to 305 km/h with an optional M Driver's Package, which also comes with an invite to BMW's M driver training school.
The base car's brakes are 395 mm up front and 380 mm out back, with six-piston front calipers. Optional carbon-ceramic brakes bring even larger front brake rotors.
All M8 Gran Coupe models come standard with xDrive AWD, but it's an M-specific version that runs as a rear-driver until extra traction is required. Selectable drive modes further let the drive tailor how much power goes forward; a sport mode limits front axle torque, and turning off the car's stability control system also deactivates xDrive altogether.
There's also an M mode button that toggles through various engine, transmission, and suspension settings, including a track mode that turns off all driver assists and darkens the audio and iDrive displays to eliminate distractions.
Standard safety assists include forward collision warning with city-speed automatic braking. An optional Driving Assistance Professional package adds blind spot monitoring, lane-departure warning/lane-keep assist, and a surround-view camera system, among other features.
BMW says it will announce the M8 Gran Coupe's pricing closer to its January arrival.
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