2020 (F93) BMW M8 Gran Coupe Unleashed – 600HP Bahn-Stormer, RM1.45 Million

Alongside the M8 Coupe, BMW Malaysia recently also pulled the covers off its flagship four-doored counterpart – the M8 Gran Coupe.

The first of its kind (F93) M8 Gran Coupe debuted shortly after the (F92) M8 Coupe, and (F91) M8 Convertible in October last year, and goes up against other super-sedan models such as the Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide.

Underpinned by BMW’s CLAR platform, the M8 Gran Coupe (GC) – like the M8 Coupe and Convertible – utilises the company’s Carbon Core reinforcements within its chassis and body construction for greater rigidity and reduced weight.

Powering the M8 GC is BMW’s most powerful engine ever, the (S63) 4.4-litre turbocharged V8 which outputs 600 hp and 750 Nm of torque between 1,800 rpm and 5,600 rpm. The M8 GC’s power plant is connected to an 8-speed M Steptronic transmission that distributes power to all four-wheels through a BMW (rear-biased) xDrive all-wheel-drive system, equipped with the Active M differential.

The rear-wheel bias xDrive system makes for extremely dynamic driving characteristics – offering fully variable torque split between the front and rear axles. This means the driver can opt between the 4WD default settings, to the 4WD Sport mode, and, with the DSC switched off, a rear-wheel-drive-only 2WD mode for use on the track.

Elsewhere, the Active M differential in both models handles situation-dependent power distribution between the rear wheels to ensure optimal traction and directional stability. The M8 GC is equipped with M Compound brakes with trademark blue callipers as standard.

The M8 GC is claimed to achieve the century sprint in just 3.3 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.

Like the M8 Coupe, the M8 GC offers similar design and aesthetic equipment – but with the addition of two more doors. These include the new M-specific front apron, kidney grille featuring M-specific decorative mesh, M8 logo designation, and BMW Laserlights at the front. Along the flanks, the M8 GC features the same snazzy frameless windows, twin-stalk side mirror design, and CRFP carbon roof up top. Like the Coupe, the M8 GC is fitted with 20-inch light-alloy, double-spoke Style 810 M Bicolour wheels.

Round the back - both models sport the M rear spoiler, as well as an M-specific M8 rear diffuser and M-specific exhaust system with twin tailpipes and chrome trims.

On the inside, the low-slung cabin space house M Sport seats, a full-leather dashboard and trim panels. The rear seats are upholstered in Merino leather as standard. The highlight of the interior is the BMW Live Cockpit Professional system running on the BMW Operating System 7.0, which consists of an all-digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a high-resolution 10.25-inch Control Display and a full-colour Head-Up Display with additional M-specific displays.

Other premium trappings include the ‘M’ leather steering wheel and seat belts, 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system such as is found on the Coupe as well.

The M8 GC Coupe, however, offers marginally more boot space than the Coupe at 440 litres (versus the Coupe’s 420 litres) and has a 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat backrest for added versatility.

As with the Coupe, the M8 GC is supplied as standard with Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function, BMW Personal CoPilot driver assistance systems include the Driving Assistant Professional, and Parking Assistant Plus - which offer functions such as Lane Keeping Assistant with side collision protection, Lane Change Assistant, Crossing-Traffic Warning and the Reversing Assistant.

The M8 Coupe retails for just over RM1,455 million (inclusive of SST deductions), roughly RM3k more than the Coupe for two more doors, and comes in seven colours: Alpine White, Brands Hatch Grey, Marina Bay Blue, Motegi Red, Black Sapphire, Donington Grey, and Barcelona Blue.

The interior is furnished with the Merino Leather offering in either Black or Silverstone white colours.