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Home / BMW / M8

2022 BMW M8
Starting at $131,995

MARC URBANO | CAR AND DRIVER

8.5 /10 S
SPPE
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C/D RATING

Select a year

2022 2020

HIGHS
Absurdly quick but easy to control, marvelous V-8
powertrain, lavish interior appointments.

LOWS
Staid exterior and interior, brake pedal has
unnatural feel, front-biased heaviness can hinder
playfulness.

VERDICT
The M8 coupe and convertible are incredibly
powerful and grand, but Camboyant they're not.

B Y E R I C S TA F F O R D

Overview
Given their restrained exteriors, the 2022
BMW M8 coupe and convertible could be
confused for regular 8-series models—
but their conservative looks hide
ridiculous performance . Although BMW
also offers a similarly silky twin-turbo V-8
powertrain on the 523-hp M850i,
enthusiasts know the ultimate expression
of the company's driving ethos is
reserved for full-blown M cars. Every M8
now has Competition credentials that
include 617 horsepower, a rear-biased
all-wheel-drive system, and chassis
components enhanced for racetrack
work. Despite vague brake-pedal feel and
a heavy nose, the big, muscular Bimmers
have moves; imagine Shaquille O'Neal
performing ballet. Whether witnessing
their wicked acceleration or luxuriating
in their luscious interiors (small back
seat notwithstanding), the 2022 M8
coupe and convertible are the quickest 8s
for the richest customers.

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Where This Vehicle Ranks


1 2

Cadillac CT5-V Audi RS7


Blackwing STARTING AT $119,595

STARTING AT $84,940

3 4

BMW M5 Mercedes-AMG
STARTING AT $105,495 SL55 / SL63
STARTING AT $135,000

5 7

Mercedes-AMG BMW M8
GT43 / GT53 / STARTING AT $131,995

GT63 / GT63 S
STARTING AT $93,550

What's New for 2022?


After skipping the 2021 model year in
America, the M8 coupe and convertible
return for 2022. The big change is that
both are now only offered in Competition
guise only, which means every version
now has 617 horsepower and other
equipment that was previously exclusive
to the Comp variant. The M8 is also now
available with lightweight M Carbon
bucket seats as an individual option.

Pricing and Which One to


Buy

Since the M8 coupe costs considerably


less and is better suited for racetrack
action, we'd recommend it over the
convertible. Both body styles come with a
handsome number of standard luxuries,
so we'd only select options that help
unlock the M8's full performance
potential. These include the M Carbon
ceramic brakes, which BMW says reduce
weight and are built to better withstand
track abuse. To ensure owners are best
prepared to handle the coupe's brute
power, the M Driver's package includes
one day of performance driving school.
Even better, it raises the top speed limiter
from 155 to 189 mph.

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Engine, Transmission, and


Performance
The M8 is powered by a twin-turbo 4.4-
liter V-8 that makes 617 horsepower and
553 pound-feet of torque. The mighty
mill pairs with an eight-speed automatic
transmission and a rear-biased all-wheel-
drive system that can disengage power to
the front axle. We've spent some time
behind the wheel of the coupe and
convertible M8 Competition where we
marveled at their re[ned manners and
right-now powertrain responses. Once
we strapped our test gear to the coupe
we were blown away by its ridiculously
quick acceleration, reaching 60 mph in
just 2.5 seconds. Despite an exhaust note
that doesn’t quite excite like rivals from
Mercedes-AMG, the BMW is blindingly
quick, and its automatic is brilliantly
perceptive. Although the all-wheel-drive
system is intended to provide rear-drive
thrills, we found that provoking power
slides is best left for the safety of an
empty parking lot or a race track. The
M8 didn't punish us on regular roads,
thanks a compliant ride that belies its
track-focused capabilities. However, don't
mistake its pleasantness for weakness.
The M8 chassis has tremendous levels of
grip and telegraphs some feedback to the
thick-rimmed steering wheel. The M8's
combination of quickness and nimbleness
makes it a compelling partner anytime
the road opens up or turns twisty.
Unfortunately, more than half of the
coupe's 4251-pound curb weight is over
the front axle, which could contribute to
its reluctance to rotate more freely.
Likewise, we found the braking system's
adjustable pedal feel less-than-engaging.

V
V II E W P H O T O S

MARC URBANO | CAR AND DRIVER

Fuel Economy and Real-


World MPG
The M8 coupe and convertible are
expected to be equally fuel inefficient in
the city and on the highway. That is to
say they're all expected to earn 15 mpg
city and 21 mpg highway. While we
haven't tested any M8 on our 75-mph
highway fuel-economy route, we'll
evaluate its real-world mpg once we have
the opportunity to do so. For more
information about the M8's fuel economy,
visit the EPA's website.

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Interior, Comfort, and


Cargo
As with most BMW M cars, the M8's
interior design and passenger space are
virtually identical to the regular models'.
Although the design doesn't strike us as
very imaginative, the leather surfaces are
beautifully stitched together and the trim
pieces are appropriately upscale. Every
M8 comes standard with luxurious
features that include customizable
ambient lighting, a 12.1-inch digital
gauge cluster, heated and ventilated front
seats, a Nappa leather-covered
dashboard, a power-adjustable steering
wheel, and wireless charging. Its cabin
provides plenty of space for front-seat
passengers but makes those banished to
the small back seat feel like second-class
citizens. Those who want an M8 and
need to regularly shuttle more than two
people will want to consider the much
roomier, four-door M8 Gran Coupe. We
managed to [t [ve carry-on suitcases in
the trunk of a regular 8-series coupe, so
we expect the M8 to provide the same
amount of storage.

V
V II E W P H O T O S

MARC URBANO | CAR AND DRIVER

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THE CAR AND DRIVER DIFFERENCE

Our Comprehensive Car


Testing Explained

Why We Test: Every Number


Tells a Story

Infotainment and
Connectivity
Nestled in the middle of the dashboard
on every M8 is a 10.25-inch touchscreen
that acts as the hub of BMW's iDrive 7.0
infotainment system. The main display is
complemented by a rotary controller and
physical buttons on the center console.
The interface features crisp graphics and
quick responses, but some of the menus
are heavily packed and require the driver
to take their eyes off the road. Still, the
system's voice commands worked well,
and it can even be optioned with gesture
controls. Desirable standard features
include Apple CarPlay (but not Android
Auto), a subscription-based Wi-Fi
hotspot, and a 16-speaker Harman
Kardon audio system.

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Safety and Driver-


Assistance Features
The coupe and convertible are available
with myriad driver-assistance
technology, which includes options such
as self-parking assist and night vision. For
more information about the M8's crash-
test results, visit the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
and Insurance Institute for Highway
Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety
features include:

• Standard forward-collision warning and


automated emergency braking

• Available adaptive cruise control with


stop-and-go technology

• Available blind-spot monitoring

Warranty and
Maintenance Coverage
BMW provides a competitive limited and
powertrain warranty that aligns with
those of its high-performance rivals. The
company also offers one of the longest
complimentary maintenance plans in the
industry.

• Limited warranty covers four years or


50,000 miles

• Powertrain warranty covers four years or


50,000 miles

• Complimentary maintenance is covered


for three years or 36,000 miles -or- No
complimentary scheduled maintenance

"
Specifications
2020 BMW M8 Competition

VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, rear/all-wheel-drive, 4-passenger,
2-door coupe

PRICE AS TESTED
$175,745 (base price: $147,995)

ENGINE TYPE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled V-8,
aluminum block and heads
Expand
Displacement
268 in3, 4395 cm3

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