It’s all M from there on. There were no loose ends to begin with and everything just tightens up even more here. Yet it’s not teetering on the edge; there’s a lot more on tap. The revs build and stay, making for an immediate response all the time. The suspension is taut and ready for a flick and a bend. The engine is raring to go. No restraints. The exhausts, too. It’s just on the ball at any given moment. It necessitates attention from the driver and the focus pays off. It’s rewarding. Every minor action, every thought, is intuitively translated into real-world action in a matter of milliseconds. There’s no lag, no delay, no second thought from the M8. It’s clinically precise yet ferociously involving without feeling simply like a machine per se.
The heart of the BMW M8 is the 4.4-litre V8 with two twin-scroll turbochargers and high-pressure direct fuel-injection. BMW M’s prowess means a hefty 600 hp — 136 hp/litre — and an equally potent 750 Nm of torque which, more importantly, peaks just below 2,000 rpm and stays strong till well over 5,000 rpm. The M Steptronic transmission makes for fluid power delivery, quite literally, and always has a punch regardless of which gear it is in. That’s the beauty of it. There’s always so much on tap, it makes for a heady concoction of sound, speed, and blurred vision; all equally hair-raising results. It gets from zero to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds and up to 250 km/h with ease. Yet the short wheelbase at 2,827 mm — a full 155 mm less than the M5’s — meant the inevitable speed-hump is tackled with relative ease and there’s no grimace-inducing screech of metal meeting a pile of ungainly tarmac. The steering feel is absolutely sublime and akin to the best sports tourers and supercars — direct, communicating, and highly responsive.
At Rs 2.18 crore (ex-showroom), the BMW M8 Coupe is a proper grand tourer. The interior quality and layout rival some revered iconic names. The equipment on offer, the quality of material, and impeccable finish make it undoubtedly one of the best sport-luxury creations that can be used every day. The 2+2 layout is great if you want to take a child or a dog along but, for the most part, it’s best as a two-seater. The sheer driving pleasure it doles out by the Bavarian Oktoberfest mugs is almost palpable at the wheel and it gets better by the mile. Even in traffic, switch to “Comfort” and it’s as docile and relaxing as a 530d. There’s no aspect, apart from the sky-high price, that I would list even as a remote negative.
Most importantly, the BMW M8 Coupe is a car I felt gutted walking away from; knowing I may never get to drive it again. It builds an emotional connect — somewhere between an M5 and a Porsche 911 Turbo S, backed by a hint of the fact that it has Aston Martin and McLaren in its cross hairs. It’s an immaculate driver’s car and its unwavering focus makes it all the more desirable to drive while making every drive memorable.
Need to Know – BMW M8 Coupe
Price: Rs 2.18 crore (ex-showroom)
Mechanicals:
Engine: 4,395 cc, V8, dual twin-scroll-turbo-petrol, direct injection
Max Power: 600 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque: 750 Nm @ 1,800-5,600 rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed, automatic, all-wheel drive with selectable rear-wheel drive
Suspension: Double wishbone front, five-link rear, adaptive damping
Weight: 1,885 kg
Performance:
Acceleration (0-100 km/h): 3.3 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 250 km/h (limited)
Power:Weight: 318.30 hp/tonne
Efficiency (km/l): 4.0 city, 8.0 highway 5.0 overall
