The BMW M8 Competition is a rather strange car to position in the market as it turns out, blending traditional luxury GT values with an aggressively sporty character that everyone expects from the model that poses as the current M flagship.
British magazine Autocar pitted the BMW M8 Competition against the slightly more expensive Bentley Continental GT V8 and the more affordable Porsche 911 Carrera 4S to see if the big Bimmer manages to successfully balance between GT and sports cars.
The M8 Competition is powered by the same powertrain found in the M5, only here is crammed into a shorter body with a higher price tag. The twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 produces 616 HP (625 PS) and 553 lb-ft (750 Nm) of torque and is bolted to an eight-speed automatic transmission, sending power to a very clever all-wheel-drive system that can switch to pure rear-drive on demand.
Also Watch A BMW M8 Wipe The Floor With A Nissan GT-R And A Ferrari GTC4
So, stunning straight-line performance is a given for the M8 Competition but as a four-seater coupe in this gray section of the market it fails to make an impact on other areas that most buyers of this type of car would look for. That includes things like ride quality, long-distance comfort and cabin space, areas where the big M car happens to leave reviewers cold.
A car like the Bentley Continental GT is leagues ahead of the M8 in covering long distances while still providing plenty of performance from its twin-turbo V8 in true GT fashion. Sure, the BMW is better at dealing with corners and offering feedback to the driver but if driver engagement is what you’re looking for, why not go for the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S?
The 992 generation of the Porsche icon manages yet again to offer superb qualities in almost every area, be it a day at the track or a cross-country road trip while its performance is so strong, it makes you question why would someone need a 992 Turbo.
Sorry BMW, the M8 Competition is apparently too expensive for its own good.