Report: Upcoming BMW 8 Series Revival to Spawn Mighty M8 Variant

When the mothballed BMW M8 prototype broke cover in 2012, it was one of the greatest "what-ifs" of the automotive world. The proportions were perfect, the V-12 engine pushed out 550 hp, and the performance was staggering. Before the M8 was rolled down the assembly line, the plug was pulled, thanks in part to lagging U.S. sales and BMW executives who claimed they didn't see a market for the car. Now, according to a report fromAutocar, the upcoming 8 Series revival will spawn a Bentley-battling M8 variant.

As we reported earlier this year, the BMW 8 Series is returning to battle the Bentley Continental GTSpeed and Mercedes-AMG S-Class Coupe. The platform is set to launch around 2019, with the M8 launching soon after that.

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Whereas the 8 Series should pack the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six or the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8, the M8 will only be offered with eight cylinders. Power is estimated at around 650 hp, with power routed to either the rear or all four wheels through what will either be a traditional automatic or dual-clutch transmission.

Performance will be stunning, thanks in part to a structure comprised mainly of carbon fiber and aluminum. Look for a 0-60 time under four seconds, and an unrestricted top speed brushing up against the 200-mph mark.

Source: Autocar