最近谍照记者在纽伯格林拍到了四排气尾管的宝马M8和梯形排气尾管，采用M套装的的8系车测试照片。宝马M部门总裁FrankVanMeel表示，8系标准版和M版本是同步开发的。未来的M8将具备8系车基因并增加赛道行驶和更多动态锐利性，精准性和灵活性。它将为消费者带了宝马M系列熟悉的驾驶感受。预计M8很可能搭载取自下一代M5的4.4升V8双涡轮引擎和MxDrive四轮驱动，功率超过600马力，同时制动、悬挂和其他配置也将获得升级。而采用M套装的标准版也将搭载V8引擎。宝马宣布，M8GTE将参加明年1月举行的劳力士24小时耐力赛。不过，宝马并未透露8系标准版发布时间，预计该车将于今秋发布，明年下半年上市。而M8则于2019年上市。
BMW M8, 8 Series M Package Spied Thrashing The Nürburgring
The latest round of BMW spy photos from the Nürburgring show not one, but two performance variants of the highly anticipated 8 Series coupe from Munich. We’ve seen the M8 and its quad-tipped exhaust previously, but the second car with the trapezoid exhaust outlets and exposed lower side trim is believed to be an 8 Series M-package version, which will seek to find balance between the standard grand tourer and the hardcore M8.
“The conception and development of the standard BMW 8 Series and the M model run in parallel,” said M Division President Frank Van Meel. “The future BMW M8 will build on the genes of the 8 Series and augment its DNA with added track ability and generous extra portions of dynamic sharpness, precision and agility. It all flows into a driving experience that bears the familiar BMW M hallmarks and satisfies our customers’ most exacting requirements.”
As far as specifics on those genes, much is still unknown. Current thinking suggests the M8 will borrow the 4.4-liter biturbo V8 destined for the next M5, sending its power to all four wheels through the manufacturer’s M xDrive system. At the very least a V8 is likely to be found in the standard 8 Series M-Package, but talk of V12 power still churns in the rumor mill. Regardless of the engine, the range-topping M8 will likely have more than 600 horsepower, which is the figure expected to come from the next M5. Naturally it will be paired with upgraded brakes, suspension, and all the other wizardry that takes place behind the closed doors of BMW’s M division.
BMW announced the M8 GTE would have its endurance racing debut in January for Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona. While the automaker hasn’t given an official reveal date for the production 8 Series, we expect it to happen sometime this fall with sales beginning the second half of 2018. The M8 will likely follow for 2019.