BMW M850i xDrive Reportedly Coming With 530 HP

We’ve seen countless spy photos of the BMW 8-Series over the past few months but new details are starting to emerge about the model.

According to Bimmer Today, BMW will offer an M Performance variant called the M850i xDrive. Set to be offered as a coupe and convertible, the model will reportedly slot beneath the M8 and come equipped with a twin-turbo V8 engine that produces 530 PS (389 kW / 522 hp). If this figure pans out, the M850i would become the second most powerful M Performance model as it would be positioned between the 610 PS (448 kW / 601 hp) M760Li and the M550i which has 462 PS (340 kW / 455 hp).

Little else is known about the car but the publication speculates the model could accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in less than four seconds. While that sounds a bit optimistic, it may be possible as the previous M6 Coupe could run from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 4.2 seconds thanks to its 4.4-liter M TwinPower Turbo V8 engine which developed 560 PS (412 kW / 552 hp). The M6 obviously has more power but the M850i has all-wheel drive and that should help to close the performance gap.

Of course, buyers looking for the ultimate in performance can opt for the new M8 which is expected to use an upgraded version of the M5’s engine. It develops 600 PS (441 kW / 591 hp) in the sedan but BMW M boss Frank van Meel has previously suggested the M8 could have more power as it will “sit at the very top of our model range” and “have a specification suiting its position in our hierarchy.” The exact output remains unconfirmed but 625 PS (459 kW / 616 hp) seems possible as it would match the rumored numbers from the M5 with the Competition Package.

While some people may question the need for the M850i, the model will likely follow in the footsteps of the M550i and be more comfortable than the fully-fledged M variant.