Latest Cars

BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe Gets Competition Package

Published

5 years ago

October 23, 2019

Barely less than a few months BMW introduced the 8 Series Gran Coupe, it has added an even powerful variant. Meet the 8 Series Gran Coupe competition package in all its splendour. A sleek, low, four-door coupe with models like the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 4-door and Porsche Panamera Turbo in its crosshairs. Ostensibly, the Gran Coupe is mechanically identical to the M8 Competition Coupe and Convertible, but with an extra pair of doors, and an extra 231mm of wheelbase to help fit them in.

Under The Hood

Beneath the surface it’s all as you’d expect – the 616bhp 4.4-litre V8 of the M8 Competition sits upfront. There are four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering beneath. The former switching to rear-drive only when you press the hooligan buttons to activate its drift mode. It’s the same engine that powers the M5, X5M and X6M competition package.

BMW claims a 3.2-second sprint to 62mph, which ought to utterly shatter the peace inside. Almost all of its extra 231mm over a two-door M8 is contained within the wheelbase. With two big comfy seats in the rear and air-con controls and USB ports aplenty for their inhabitants to fiddle with. When they aren’t having their face melted by the acceleration. A third seat is kinda there if its inhabitant doesn’t mind straddling some buttons and screens.

Driver’s Assisted Package

Like all modern Bimmers, the M8 Gran Coupe comes with a fairly comprehensive suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), only some of which are standard equipment. These include forward-collision warning and BMW’s Active Protection pre-crash mitigation system. The M8’s optional Driving Assistance Package comes with active blind-spot detection, lane-departure warning, a surround-view camera, drive recorder, parking assistant, active park distance control, rear cross-traffic alert and speed limit information. Step up further to the Driving Assistance Professional Package, and you get adaptive cruise control. You also get BMW’s Extended Traffic Jam Assistant, to make quick work of your commute.

Tech in the cabin is plentiful, as you’d expect, and that means the latest and greatest version of BMW’s iDrive infotainment system as well as the company’s AI integration, which allows you to say, “Hey, BMW,” and access a number of connected-car features.

M Inspired Interior

Step inside the 2020 BMW M8 Gran Coupe, and you’re treated to the latest BMW M high-end features and appointments. There’s an M Mode button that allows easy access to the car’s dynamic menus next to a redesigned shift knob. A pair of M buttons on the steering wheel enables favorite stored car setups. There’s also an M sport exhaust button to make meaner sounds if you desire. In the centre is a 10.25-inch screen running BMW’s seventh-gen iDrive. The 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and standard head-up display adjust depending on vehicle settings.

There are huge swaths of stitched leather and metal accents inside, as well as all manner of standard and optional comfort and convenience options. A plethora of advanced standard and optional safety systems are also available. BMW is also offering a special First Edition model. Building on an M8 Gran Coupe Competition, First Edition cars feature several touches from the BMW Individual division, including a Diamant Green Metallic sheen contrasted by what BMW calls Goldbronze exterior trim accents and wheels. The interior gets an Ivory White/Tartufo Full Merino leather cabin with piano-black trim and a First Edition 1/400 plaque on the center-console door.