BMW prices M8 Comp coupe from $352,900 plus ORCs

BMW Group Australia has confirmed pricing and specification for its M8 Competition coupe performance flagship ahead of the bahn-storming bruiser entering showrooms in the first quarter of next year.

Priced from $352,900 plus on-road costs, the M8 Competition coupe commands a hefty $77,000 premium over its M850i counterpart that has served as the new-generation 8 Series line-up’s flagship since its launch in August this year.

Well-heeled buyers are compensated for their extra spend with the full BMW M treatment, including a tickle for the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine shared by the M8 Competition and M850i coupes.

In the M8 Competition, the bent eight punches out 460kW of power at 6000rpm and 750Nm of torque from 1800rpm to 5600rpm, with the former up 70kW over the M850i, while the latter is unchanged.

With drive sent to all four wheels via BMW’s three-mode M xDrive system and an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission, the M8 Competition coupe sprints from standstill to 100km/h in a scant 3.2 seconds, while its top speed is 305km/h – the highest of any BMW M model yet.

Comparatively, the M850i coupe needs half a second longer to hit triple digits, while its terminal velocity is electronically limited to 250km/h. It uses a similar drivetrain.

The M8 Competition coupe also comes armed with several drive modes that alter engine, transmission, steering and suspension settings, among others, while on the move. For the first time in a BMW model, these also affect the brake pedal, which offers two levels of feel (Comfort and Sport).

If driven sedately, the M8 Competition coupe could come close its claimed fuel consumption of 10.4 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined-cycle test. Its carbon dioxide emissions are 239 grams per kilometre.

Standard equipment in the M8 Competition coupe includes a carbon-fibre engine cover, a sports exhaust system, a rear limited-slip differential, double-wishbone front and five-link rear suspension, laser headlights, 20-inch alloy wheels, a carbon-fibre roof, soft-close doors, a power-operated tailgate and high-gloss black trim.

Inside, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a Bowers & Wilkins Diamond surround-sound system, DAB+ digital radio, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless smartphone charging, keyless entry and start, sports seats with heating and cooling, a heated steering wheel and armrests, full Merino leather upholstery, a Walknappa leather-trimmed dashboard, an Alcantara headliner and velour floormats feature.

Advanced driver-assist systems extend to autonomous emergency braking, night vision with pedestrian recognition, lane-keep and steering assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic alert, surround-view cameras, high-beam assist and tyre pressure monitoring.

Among the M8 Competition coupe’s options are carbon-ceramic brake discs with matte-gold callipers for $16,500, and a $10,300 carbon-fibre exterior package for its front air intakes, side-mirror caps and rear spoiler and diffuser.

As reported, BMW Group Australia will double the M8 range when it introduces the four-door Gran Coupe body style in the second quarter of next year, and given that the M850i Gran Coupe is $3000 cheaper than its coupe counterpart, the final addition to the 8 Series line-up is expected to cost $349,900.

The German brand’s local arm has no plans to sell the M8 Competition convertible that is available in other markets. Similarly, ‘regular’ M8 variants will not be heading Down Under with their lesser 441kW/750Nm engine tune.