Our first encounter with the on-off BMW M8 took place last year at the BMW Museum in Munich where the M folks decided to surprise the journalists with an unexpected appearance of the long-time rumored BMW M8.

First photos and videos we captured at the time spread throughout the web rapidly and the M8 made waves within the BMW community. Nearly a year later, we had the opportunity to see once again the M8 at the M facility in Garching.

The M8 was equipped with a V12 prototype engine based on the S70 engine, producing around 550 horsepower. For reference, the 850CSi which was a detuned M8 of sorts and carried both M-derived engine codes and VINs had to make due with only 380HP – a mind blowing 170HP less than the rumored 550HP churned out by the M8 Prototype.

The V12 engine was matted to a 6-speed manual gearbox.

More on the V12 powerplant in an upcoming articles, but for now, let’s enjoy one more time the BMW M8.

BMW Is Revamping the 8 Series With a New Flagship Coupé for 2020

A new flagship coupé will rival the Bentley Continental GT and Mercedes S Class.

By Ashleigh Kim



Sources from BMW‘s research and development center have revealed the automaker will be resurrecting its 8 Series with a brand new technological flagship model in 2020. The new car will be manufactured at the BMW factory in Dingolfing, Germany as a major upgrade from the current 7 Series and will rival the likes of the Mercedes-Benz S Class Coupe or Bentley Continental GT. Whether it be a two-door coupé (like the original from ’89) or four doors, details of the new 8 Series are still unclear and will most likely be planned out by 2018 along with its first concept preview.
Back in 2013 BMW unveiled the Gran Lusso Coupe concept car (pictured above) that was a solid example of the German carmaker’s ability to make luxury sedans above the 7 Series echelon. Stay tuned as we await more information on the new BMW 8 series.