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Thanks: BigTimeAuto 2023 BMW M8 Starting at $ Highs Speed insanity, easy to tame, can switch to rear-wheel drive for your tire-burning pleasure. Lows Less-than-joyous engine sound, faux rear seating, it’s no lightweight. Verdict While the M8 delivers performance at a ludicrous rate, it’s a big, heavy four-passenger car with barely more real-world practicality than a two-seater. Overview The mind-bending acceleration delivered by the BMW M8’s 617-hp twin-turbo V-8 is strong enough to get the car to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds. At 10.7 seconds the M8 reaches 129 mph as it covers a quarter-mile of road. That’s quicker than a 710-hp Ferrari 488 Pista from something with a rear seat weighing more than two tons. Chalk it up to all-wheel drive traction and an overachieving engine. The M8 is crazy-fast, but its smooth delivery of felony speeds and its bolted-to-the-road stability make driving fast feel almost responsible. Available as both a coupe and convertible (the four-door M8 Gran Coupe is reviewed separately), the M8 cockpit is well-appointed and uses a large infotainment screen to handle navigation or audio selection. However, its rear seat isn’t a practical space. As one of the most affordable cars that will get you into 10-second quarter miles every time you try, the M8 is a big coupe with even bigger performance numbers. What's New for 2023? There are only a few changes applied to the BMW M8 for 2023. The kidney grille has been slightly redesigned and now illuminates, and every M8 receives a new infotainment display. Pricing and Which One to Buy M8 Coupe: $136,095 M8 Convertible: $144,695 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. Engine, Transmission, and Performance The M8 is powered by a twin-turbo 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 refined manners and right-now powertrain responses. When we strapped our test gear to the 4251-pound M8 Comp 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. 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. Read More 📌 Instagram ▶ 📌 Facebook ▶
