8 BMW M2020 Review: Competition
Content
- Is there anything interesting about its design? 10/10
- How practical is the interior space? 6/10
- Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10
- What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 9/10
- How much fuel does it consume? 6/10
- What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 9/10
- How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 7/10
- What is it like to drive? 9/10
- Verdict
The all-new BMW M8 Competition is finally here, but does it make sense?
As the flagship model of the high-performance M division, it is undeniably a BMW brand. But with low sales expectations, will buyers see it on the road?
And given its positioning in the BMW M lineup, why would anyone buy it when they can have more cars (read: BMW M5 Competition sedan) for a heck of a lot less money?
Trying to put it all together, we tested the M8 Competition in coupe form to see what it looks like.
| 8 BMW 2020 Series: M8 Competition | |
|---|---|
| Safety Rating | - |
| engine's type | 4.4 L turbo |
| fuel type | Premium unleaded gasoline |
| Fuel efficiency | 10.4l / 100km |
| Landing | 4 Places |
| Price from | $302,800 |
Is there anything interesting about its design? 10/10
We'll go ahead and just say: the 8 Series is the most attractive new car on sale today.
As always, styling is subjective, but this is a coupe that hits all the right notes when it comes to exterior design.
The M8 Competition has a hell of a lot of canvas to work with, so it's no wonder it looks even better than the "regular" 8 Series.
The M treatment starts at the front, where the M8 Competition's grille has a double insert and glossy black trim that is also featured elsewhere.
Underneath is a chunky bumper with a huge air intake flap and even larger side air intakes, all of which have honeycomb inserts.
The 8 Series is the most attractive new car on sale today.
The look is completed by sinister Laserlight headlights, which include BMW's signature LED daytime running lights with two hockey sticks.
From the side, the M8 Competition has a more understated look, albeit with a sophisticated set of 20-inch alloy wheels, as well as bespoke air intakes and side mirrors.
Look a little higher and you'll notice a lightweight carbon fiber roof panel that helps lower the center of gravity while still looking just plain cool thanks to its double bubble design.
Behind the M8 Competition is just as delicious. While the spoiler on its trunk lid is subtle, its aggressive bumper is definitely not.
The menacing diffuser is our favorite element, mainly because it houses the black chrome 100mm tailpipes of the bimodal sports exhaust system. saliva.
Inside, the M8 Competition delivers a lesson in luxury, just like the "regular" 8 Series, although it adds a bit of aggression with a few bespoke pieces.
Behind the M8 Competition is just as delicious.
The eye is immediately drawn to the front sports seats, which look businesslike. But while these seats provide support, larger passengers may find them a bit uncomfortable on long journeys.
Other M-specific features include a steering wheel, gear selector, seat belts, start/stop button, floor mats and door sills.
As mentioned, the rest of the M8 Competition is luxurious from head to toe, and the high-quality materials used throughout help justify its hefty price tag.
Case in point, black Walknappa leather covers the top of the dashboard, door sills, steering wheel and gear selector, while Merino leather (black and beige Midrand in our test car) adorns the seats, armrests, door inserts and baskets, which have honeycomb sections. insert a line.
A 10.25-inch touchscreen sits proudly on the dashboard.
Surprisingly, the black Alcantara upholstery isn't limited to the headlining, it also covers the lower dash, armrests and front seat bolsters, adding a sporty touch along with the center console's high-gloss carbon fiber trim.
In terms of technology, the 10.25-inch touchscreen sits proudly on the dashboard, running on the already familiar BMW 7.0 operating system, which features gesture and always-on voice control, none of which comes close to the intuitiveness of a traditional rotary dial. .
A 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster sits to the side and a head-up display sits above, both of which have a unique M Mode theme that focuses on nature while also disabling advanced driver assistance systems during vigorous driving. driving.
How practical is the interior space? 6/10
At 4867mm long, 1907mm wide and 1362mm wide, the M8 Competition is a bit big for a coupe, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's practical.
Cargo capacity is decent, 420 liters, and can be increased by folding down the 50/50-folding rear seat, an action that can be accomplished with the manual trunk latches.
The trunk itself is equipped with four attachment points to help secure your cargo, and a side storage net can come in handy in some cases. However, bulkier items will be difficult to load due to the small opening in the trunk lid and the high loading lip.
The front door bins are not particularly wide or long.
Hoping to find a spare tire under the trunk floor? Dream on, instead you'll get a dreaded "tire repair kit" which is of course headlined by a disappointing can of slime.
However, the most frustrating "feature" of the M8 Competition is the second-row token that only kids can use.
With my height of 184 cm, there is little legroom, my knees rest against the contoured shell of the front seat, and there is almost no legroom.
However, headroom is his weakest point: my chin has to be pressed against my collarbone to get closer to a straight back when I sit down.
The most frustrating feature of the M8 Competition is the second tier token that only kids can use.
While child seats can be installed in the second row using top cables and ISOFIX anchor points, this is difficult to do due to lack of space. And let's not forget that this is a two-door coupe, so putting a child seat in the cabin is no easy task in the first place.
Interior storage options include a middle glove box and a huge central storage compartment. The baskets in the front doors aren't particularly wide or long, meaning they can only take one small and one regular bottle apiece - in a pinch.
Two cup holders are hidden in the front storage compartment, which also has a wireless smartphone charger, as well as a USB-A port and a 12V outlet. Speaking of connectivity, the central storage compartment houses a USB-C port and a 12V outlet. .
As for the second row of tokens, there are no connection options. Yes, rear passengers cannot charge devices. And bad enough that they leak vents...
Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10
Starting at $352,900 plus travel expenses, the M8 Competition coupe is an expensive proposition. So it's absolutely loaded with kit.
However, the M5 Competition costs $118,000 less and has a much more practical sedan body, so the value of the 8 Competition coupe is questionable.
In any case, its main competitors are the coupe versions of the yet-to-be-released Porsche 992 Series 911 Turbo and the Mercedes-AMG S63 ($384,700), which is nearing its end of life.
Starting at $352,900 plus travel expenses, the M8 Competition coupe is an expensive proposition.
Standard equipment not yet mentioned on the M8 Competition coupe includes twilight sensors, rain sensors, heated auto-folding side mirrors, soft close doors, LED taillights and a power trunk lid.
Inside, live traffic satellite navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, DAB+ digital radio, 16-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system, keyless entry and start, power front seats with heating and cooling, power steering column. , heated steering wheel and armrests, dual-zone climate control, auto-dimming rear view mirror with ambient light function.
Uncharacteristically, the options list is very short, with a $10,300 carbon exterior package and $16,500 million carbon-ceramic brakes, neither fitted to our Brands Hatch Gray metallic-painted test car.
What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 9/10
The M8 Competition Coupé is powered by a powerful 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine that delivers 460kW at 6000rpm and 750Nm of torque from 1800-5600rpm.
The M8 Competition Coupé accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds.
Shifting is handled by a superb eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission (with paddle shifters).
This pair helps the M8 Competition coupe accelerate from standstill to 100 km/h in a staggering 3.2 seconds. Yes, this is BMW's fastest production model to date. And its top speed is 305 km/h.
How much fuel does it consume? 6/10
The fuel consumption of the M8 Competition Coupé in combined cycle testing (ADR 81/02) is 10.4 liters per kilometer and the claimed carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are 239 grams per kilometer. Both are interested given the level of performance offered.
In our actual tests, we averaged 17.1L/100km over 260km of country road driving, with the rest split between highway and city traffic.
A lot of spirited driving has resulted in this inflated figure, but don't expect him to drink too less with a more balanced effort. After all, this is a sports car that will require frequent trips to the service station.
For reference, the 8-liter fuel tank of the M68 Competition coupe consumes at least gasoline with an octane rating of 98.
What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 9/10
ANCAP has yet to release a safety rating for the 8 Series lineup. As such, the M8 Competition coupe is currently unrated.
Advanced driver assistance systems include autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping and steering assist, blind spot monitoring, front and rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with stop and go function, speed limit recognition, high beam assist . , driver alert, tire pressure and temperature monitoring, start assist, night vision, park assist, surround view cameras, front and rear parking sensors, and more. Indeed, you are not left wishing here…
Other standard safety equipment includes seven airbags (dual front, side and side, plus driver's knee protection), conventional electronic stability and traction control systems, anti-lock brakes (ABS), and emergency brake assist (BA). ), among other things.
Warranty and safety rating
Basic Warranty
3 years / unlimited mileage
guarantee
How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 7/10
Like all BMW models, the M8 Competition Coupe comes with a three-year unlimited mileage warranty, which pales in comparison to the five-year standard set by Mercedes-Benz and Genesis in the premium segment.
However, the M8 Competition coupe also comes with three years of roadside assistance.
Service intervals are every 12 months/15,000-80,000 km, whichever comes first. Several limited-price service plans are available, with the regular five-year/5051 km version priced at $XNUMX, which, while expensive, is not out of place at this price point.
What is it like to drive? 9/10
Ahead of the launch, BMW M boss Markus Flasch called the new M8 Competition the “Porsche Turbo killer.” Fighting words? You bet!
And after spending half a day with the coupe, we believe that it is not far from the truth, even if such an assumption seems ridiculous on paper.
Simply put, the M8 Competition Coupe is an absolute monster on the straight and in the corners. Is it at the 911 level? Not exactly, but damn close.
The key component is its 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which is one of our favorite engines today.
In this case, a whopping 750Nm of torque hits just above idle (1800rpm), meaning passengers are almost immediately in their seats as the M8 Competition heads for the horizon.
The full push continues up to the maximum engine speed (5600 rpm), after which an impressive 460 kW of power is reached at just 400 rpm.
The M8 Competition Coupe is a real monster on the straight and in the corners.
Needless to say, the feel of the M8 Competition Coupe's furious acceleration is addictive. It certainly feels as fast as BMW's claims, if not faster.
Of course, this level of performance wouldn't be there if it wasn't for the eight-speed torque converter automatic that makes shifting stellar, being snappy yet smooth. However, he has a habit of holding lower odds for too long once the fun is over.
Like the throttle, the transmission has three modes with gradually increasing intensity. While we prefer the former at its most edgy, the latter is best balanced as it is otherwise too conservative or too crazy. In any case, he is very responsive.
It's all very good, but you want it to be accompanied by an emotional soundtrack, right? Well, the M8 Competition coupe certainly sounds good when its V8 is running, but we can't help but think that BMW M could have done more with its two-model exhaust system.
There's a lot of jerking under acceleration, which is excellent, but the pops and gunshot-like pops we love in other BMW models are absent, although there is some when downshifting under hard braking. Overall good, but not great.
True to its GT roots, the M8 Competition coupe complements its straight-line performance with a relatively comfortable ride.
Its independent suspension consists of a double-link front axle and a five-link rear axle with adaptive dampers that provide ample range.
In the softest environments, the M8 Competition coupe is more than livable, and challenging road surfaces handle it with aplomb. The most difficult tuning amplifies these imperfections, but they are never overwhelming.
However, there is no denying the solid overall melody that prevails no matter what, but the trade-off (better management) is really worth it.
He has a habit of holding lower odds for too long when the fun is over.
Indeed, the M8 Competition coupe eats corners for breakfast. Even if his 1885kg curb weight is sometimes a factor, he stays in control (read: flat). This ability, of course, is partly due to its reinforced chassis and other BMW M magics.
Speaking of which, the M xDrive all-wheel drive system is undeniably the star of the show, delivering superb traction when pushed hard. Its rear offset is certainly noticeable out of corners, aided by the hard-working active M differential.
It's worth noting that this M xDrive setup has three modes. For this test, we left it in the default all-wheel drive mode, but for reference, the Sport's all-wheel drive is weaker, while the rear-wheel drive is drift-ready and therefore track-only.
And of course, the M8 Competition coupe wouldn't be as much fun in corners if it wasn't for the electric power steering, which is speed-sensitive and has a variable ratio.
It's surprisingly light in the hand by BMW standards, but when you switch from Comfort to Sport mode, the stereotypical weight reappears. It's nice that it's nice and straight forward, and provides plenty of feedback through the wheel. Tick, tick.
Considering the level of performance on offer, it's no surprise that the M Compound Brake system consists of massive 395mm front and 380mm rear discs with six- and single-piston calipers, respectively.
Speed is of course washed off easily, but the really interesting part is how you can adjust the brake pedal sensitivity between two levels: Comfort or Sport. The former is relatively soft, which makes it easier to control, while the latter provides much more resistance, which we like.
Verdict
Common sense removed from the equation, we'd be happy to own an M8 Competition coupe every day of the week.
It looks amazing, feels luxurious, is secure, and delivers incredible all-round performance. Thus, it is so easy to fall in love with him.
But think with your head, not with your heart, and you will quickly doubt its location and, therefore, its effectiveness.
However, the example used may be tempting in a few years. And yes, we would happily live with his high fuel bills...
Note. CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, providing transportation and food.
