The 2025 BMW M8 Competition: A Grand Tourer That Thinks It’s a Supercar
For years, the automotive world pigeonholed cars into strict categories. Sports cars were all about agility, luxury cars prioritized comfort, and SUVs focused on utility. But the rapid evolution of automotive technology has blurred these lines, creating a fascinating new breed of vehicles. The Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT juggles family-hauling duties with track-day prowess. The McLaren 720S delivers hypercar performance with surprising everyday usability. These cars redefine what we expect, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
Then there’s the BMW M8 Competition. On paper, it appears to be a high-powered grand tourer (GT). A luxurious two-door designed for comfortable high-speed cruising. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll discover a machine with a surprisingly sporty soul. After spending a decade immersed in the performance automotive scene, I’ve seen my share of cars trying to be all things to all people, often failing miserably. However, the M8 Competition, with its incredible performance and luxurious accoutrements, largely nails the brief.
Historically, BMW’s grand tourers were just that – grand tourers. The original 8-Series prioritized comfort over lap times. Even the V10-powered M6, while exhilarating on the autobahn, felt somewhat out of place on a tight, winding road. The M8 Competition changes the game. It redefines what a modern M-badged GT can be, showcasing impressive versatility.
A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing?
The BMW M8 Competition, launched in 2019 as the M6’s successor, sticks to a similar formula. Dimensions are nearly identical, with the M8 being shorter, wider, and a touch lower. Despite adding standard all-wheel drive, weight increases by a negligible amount.
However, the M8’s performance is where it truly shines. In Competition guise, its twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 unleashes a staggering 617 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. While a modest 17 hp bump over the standard M8, this engine is ferocious. Power is delivered to all four wheels via a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission, rocketing the car to 60 mph in a mere three seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph, but the optional M Driver’s Package raises that to an exhilarating 190 mph. These numbers tell a story, but the experience behind the wheel reveals a whole new level of performance. The M8 Competition feels significantly faster than the figures suggest. The power delivery is immediate and visceral. BMW’s recent addition of mild-hybrid systems to their performance SUVs aimed to improve responsiveness, but in the M8, the engine already feels perfectly dialed in.
Chasing Supercars in Comfort
Tackling a winding back road, you’d need a machine from McLaren, Lamborghini, or Ferrari to confidently pull away from the M8 Competition. And once the road straightens out, this luxury GT transforms into a supercar slayer. It accelerates with unrelenting force, keeping pace with the world’s most exotic machines. Calling a $160,000 coupe an “overachiever” might seem odd. But considering you’d need to spend significantly more to surpass its performance, it’s difficult to label it otherwise. It’s simply a fantastic high-performance vehicle.
However, the M8 isn’t without its quirks. Despite its incredible speed, there’s a slight disconnect between the speedometer and the driver’s seat. The exceptional noise isolation, while contributing to a refined cabin, somewhat diminishes the driving experience. The electronic power steering and the optional carbon-ceramic brakes offer impressive stopping power, but offer little feedback. Even the engine note, piped through the car’s speakers, can sound somewhat muted.
Balancing Act: Comfort and Control
Body roll is inevitable in a vehicle as powerful and substantial as the M8 Competition. BMW’s adaptive suspension system strikes a remarkable balance between comfort and control. While the suspension is firmer than the standard M8, it’s still surprisingly compliant. It doesn’t completely eliminate body roll in tight corners, but the compromise is well worth retaining daily driving comfort. Getting this balance right is crucial for a grand tourer.
Despite its size, the M8 Competition handles corners with surprising agility. Grip is seemingly limitless. The all-wheel-drive system ensures maximum power delivery on corner exit. For added fun, the front wheels can be completely disengaged, allowing for classic BMW-style sideways antics. The softer suspension is a blessing here, making the car less prone to sudden snap oversteer, inspiring confidence at the limit.
Grand Touring Excellence
On the open highway, the M8 Competition truly shines. Like its predecessor and many other BMW M cars, it feels most at home cruising at triple-digit speeds. It’s comfortable, refined, and surprisingly quiet. This is where the M8 reveals its duality. It is equally capable of chasing supercars and embarking on cross-country adventures.
The M Sport Seats are a crucial element of this car’s comfort. While the cabin is swathed in leather and carbon fiber, the seats make a significant difference. The optional carbon-backed bucket seats, while excellent in an M2 or M3, would feel out of place here. The M Sport Seats are comfortable and supportive, making long journeys a pleasure.
2025 Updates: Subtle Enhancements
For the 2025 model year, BMW has introduced some subtle updates to the M8 Competition. The central infotainment screen grows from 10.25 inches to 12.3 inches, bringing it in line with the rest of the BMW lineup. M Shadowline trim is now available for the Adaptive LED headlights, along with new exterior colors like Frozen Pure Grey, Tanzanite Blue II, and Isle of Man Green. The new BMW M8 brings updated technology and a few updated color options, however its core mission stays true.
A Masterclass in Engineering
The 2025 BMW M8 Competition is a testament to modern engineering. It masterfully blends technology and performance, making a large and heavy car feel surprisingly agile. While it may appear to be a grand tourer on paper, it possesses a sports car soul. It combines supercar performance with a comfortable ride and a luxurious cabin, offering a versatility that most modern GTs can’t match. The M8 price reflects the value. For those seeking a one-car solution that can handle both thrilling back road drives and long-distance cruises, the M8 Competition is a compelling choice. The luxury grand tourer with incredible horsepower makes for one special ride that any car enthusiast would enjoy.
Ready to experience the unique blend of luxury and performance the BMW M8 Competition offers? Schedule a test drive today and discover what this remarkable GT can do.