WE RIDE IN THE NEW M8 – AND COME AWAY IMPRESSED
Certain laws of physics suggest you should never describe a car approaching two tonnes as being truly agile. But within minutes of our arrival at Portugal’s Estoril circuit for a passenger ride in a prototype M8 Coupé, BMW M development boss Dirk Häcker sets about doing just that.
As we stand in the windswept pit lane, Häcker takes little time in suggesting the team is “absolutely convinced” the M8 is far and away a more driver-oriented proposition than its indirect predecessor, the M6.
Häcker, who has presided over the engineering of all recent M models, indicates a lot of effort has been focused on making the M8 Coupé even more responsive and sharper than the M5, with which it shares its mechanicals.
He says: “Even with fourwheel drive, we’ve been able to programme it to deliver traditional rear-wheel-drive traits when the driver wishes.”
As the prototype arrives in a blaze of exhaust noise, it is clear some of the uniqueness Häcker talks about is down to its exterior design, certain elements of which take their cue from the M8 GTE race car.
Before I open the long frameless passenger side door and climb in, I’m told the ride height is lower than that of the M850i. This, acknowledges Häcker, gives the M8 Coupé a centre of gravity that is 24mm lower than the M5’s.
What follows over the next three laps of the former Formula 1 circuit is a mostly sideways display of what that reduction in the centre of gravity means.
There has never been any doubt about the accelerative qualities of the M8 Coupé, with more than 600bhp and four-wheel drive. No, the real question hanging over the M8 Coupé up until now has been its ability to match this speed with handling that enthusiasts will cherish. However, after witnessing its outstanding body control, ability to change direction with all the deft precision of a much smaller and lighter car and the ease with which it can be coaxed in lurid oversteer, it is clear this is not just another high-priced GT seeking to be regarded as a sports car. The M8 Coupé – and feel free to take this with a grain of salt at this stage – is a true sports car in its own right.