BMW’s range has become a little more top-heavy with the introduction of two top-tier 8 Series variants in the M8 Coupe (about RM1.45 million) and the M8 Gran Coupe (about RM1.46 million). The former is a souped-up version of the baseline two-door grand tourer, while the latter is the longer, roomier and more passenger-friendly four-door option on the same high-performance platform.
There is a lot to the specifications that will be pleasingly familiar to fans of the M5. This includes the eight-speed automatic transmission, the weight-saving carbon-fibre reinforced plastic roof, the all-wheel-drive system that can be switched to rear-wheel-drive only for a more traditional tail-out good time, and the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8. This is still the most powerful BMW M engine ever made for a production model, good for 600bhp of power and 750Nm of torque. This sends the M8 from 0-100km/h in a mere 3.3 seconds.
The aggressive, sporty styling and low seating do, of course, differentiate the M8 from the M5, but it maintains all the user-friendly features and high-tech assistance systems that is the norm in today’s premium BMWs – including stop-and-go active cruise control and collision avoidance, as well as 440 litres of boot space in the case of the Gran Coupe.
Both versions of the M8 were revealed at the weekend-long Secret Garage @ M Town event. Styled after the infamous BMW M Secret Garage, a secret facility located in BMW’s hometown of Germany, it brought a slice of BMW M excitement and history to the by-invitation guests who attended. Aside from the impressive assembly of M cars on display, favourites such as the M2 Competition, M4 and M5 were available for test-driving. The event also saw the launch of two of BMW’s high-end mid-sized SUVs in the X3 M Competition (about RM887,000) and X4 M Competition (about RM904,000).
