Other than developing the standard 8 Series, the skunkworks
at BMW’s M division are also working flat out on the M model. A fully
camouflaged, early prototype of this upcoming high-performance model will be
unveiled at the Nurburgring 24-hour race.
The M8 will feature typical M design elements like larger
air intakes, modified brakes and a sports exhaust with four tailpipes.
The wider track and all the aerodynamically optimised body
panels hint at the significantly boosted power and performance of the M8.
The M8 will build on the genes of the 8 Series and augment
its DNA with added track-focused dynamics and a lot more straight-line grunt.
Under the hood, it will get the same 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8
engine and four-wheel-drive system that will come in the upcoming M5.
Development is also underway, of a race-spec car – the M8
GTE, to spearhead the return of BMW Motorsport to Le Mans. BMW is planning an
initial roll-out for the first half of this year and is looking at giving the
car its race debut in the Daytona 24 Hours in late January 2018.
