The 2025 BMW M8 Competition: A Grand Tourer with a Supercar Soul
For decades, automakers meticulously crafted vehicles for singular purposes. Sports cars prioritized agility, luxury cars emphasized comfort, and SUVs focused on utility. But the relentless march of innovation in engine technology, tire compounds, and suspension systems has blurred these rigid lines. Today, a Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT can effortlessly transition between family hauler and canyon carver, while a McLaren 720S offers hypercar performance without sacrificing everyday usability. The very definition of what a car can be has fundamentally reshaped our expectations.
Of course, not every attempt to fuse multiple identities succeeds. Some cars fall short, overextending themselves in pursuit of a broader audience. Then there’s the 2025 BMW M8 Competition, a 617-horsepower two-door that initially presents itself as a luxurious grand tourer but, upon closer inspection, reveals a genuinely athletic heart. As someone who’s spent over a decade immersed in the automotive industry, I can confidently say this car is a compelling outlier.
Traditionally, BMW’s grand tourers have embodied exactly that – grand touring. The original 8-Series prioritized comfort over lap times, and even the V10-powered M6, while exhilarating on the open road, felt somewhat out of place on a winding back road. The M8 Competition, however, rewrites this narrative. It redefines not only what a modern M-badged GT can achieve but, through its remarkable versatility, what it should be. In cities like Los Angeles or New York City, you’ll see these vehicles effortlessly navigating both bustling streets and open highways, which underscores the M8 Competition’s broad appeal and functional elegance.
The M8 Competition, launched in 2019 as the successor to the now-discontinued M6, largely adheres to its predecessor’s formula. The dimensions are nearly identical, with the M8 being slightly shorter, wider, and lower. The curb weight sees a modest increase, but considering this gain includes a standard all-wheel-drive system, it’s a negligible trade-off.
The real transformation lies in the M8’s performance. In Competition guise, its twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 unleashes a staggering 617 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque – a modest but noticeable increase of 17 hp over the standard M8’s 600 hp. As with virtually all modern high-performance BMWs, this power is channeled to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The result is a blistering 0-60 mph sprint in just 3.0 seconds, with a top speed of 155 mph (or 190 mph with the optional M Driver’s Package). The cost of ownership can be considerable, but the driving experience justifies the investment.
Those are the official figures. But after just a few minutes behind the wheel, you realize those numbers, impressive as they are, significantly understate the M8’s true potential. Three seconds to 60 mph is undeniably rapid, especially for a vehicle weighing nearly two tons, but the M8 feels even quicker. The turbo-eight delivers its power with a raw, almost visceral immediacy. While BMW has since incorporated mild-hybrid systems into its performance SUVs to enhance responsiveness, it’s difficult to see why such augmentation would be needed here. This car has all the responsiveness you could want straight from the factory.
On a challenging back road, you’d need something from McLaren, Lamborghini, or Ferrari to definitively outpace an M8 Competition in the corners. And the moment the road straightens, this full-size luxury GT accelerates with the ferocity of many high-dollar exotics. While it might seem counterintuitive to label a $160,000 super coupe as an “overachiever,” consider that you’d have to spend at least twice that amount to find a car with demonstrably superior performance.
However, the M8’s sheer speed is somewhat detached from the driving experience. While the cabin’s exceptional noise isolation contributes to its refined ambiance, it also diminishes the sensation of the physics-defying performance it delivers. The incredibly effective and precise electronic power steering and the optional $8,150 carbon-ceramic brakes, while undeniably capable, provide minimal feedback. Even the engine note, artificially enhanced and piped through the car’s speakers, sounds somewhat muted in most situations.
Body roll is inevitable in a vehicle as powerful and weighty as the BMW M8 Competition. While BMW could have stiffened the adaptive suspension to minimize this unwanted motion, the challenge lies in finding the right balance – particularly in a large GT. BMW has admittedly had some missteps in the past, but the range of the M8 Competition’s Adaptive M Suspension is truly impressive. It’s slightly firmer than the standard M8 but still surprisingly compliant. While it doesn’t completely mask the car’s mass in tight corners, the trade-off is more than worthwhile for preserving everyday comfort. When considering a lease option for the M8 Competition, these comfort features become even more appealing for daily driving.
Don’t mistake body roll for a lack of agility, though. The BMW M8 Competition navigates corners with an unexpected level of nimbleness. The grip is seemingly boundless, and despite a slight push from the front end upon initial turn-in, the all-wheel-drive system ensures maximum power delivery on exit. For those seeking a more traditional BMW experience, the front wheels can be completely disengaged, allowing for controlled, sideways exits reminiscent of classic BMWs. The softer suspension actually enhances this aspect, making the car less prone to sudden snaps at the limit, thereby boosting driver confidence. Whether you are in Miami or Chicago, this feature can greatly enhance the driving experience.
On the open highway, the M8 truly excels. Like its predecessor, and indeed, most BMW M cars, this grand tourer is most comfortable cruising at triple-digit speeds on an empty stretch of asphalt. It’s comfortable yet composed, and the exceptional noise isolation makes it significantly quieter than one might expect from a car wearing the iconic M badge. Here, the M8 showcases its dual personality, equally adept at chasing supercars and embarking on cross-country road trips.
A major contributor to the M8’s comfort is its seating. While the cabin is lavishly appointed with leather and accentuated by carbon-fiber trim, the choice of seats has the most significant impact. My test car wisely retained the standard M Sport Seats. BMW offers carbon-backed bucket seats as an optional extra, but while they might be suitable for an M2 or M3, they’re fundamentally out of sync with the M8’s overarching purpose. Although they might slightly enhance the driving experience on back roads, they detract from the overall comfort and usability. Potential buyers should weigh the financing options carefully, keeping long-term comfort in mind.
As the BMW M8 Competition enters the 2025 model year, BMW has added new options to its extensive list of extras, including the aforementioned carbon bucket seats. The central infotainment screen grows from 10.25 inches to 12.3 inches, bringing the interior in line with the rest of the BMW lineup. The exterior changes are equally subtle. M Shadowline trim is now available for the Adaptive LED headlights, along with a selection of striking colors, such as Frozen Pure Grey, Tanzanite Blue II, and Isle of Man Green. The addition of ceramic coating is also a popular option for maintaining the exterior’s pristine condition.
The 2025 BMW M8 Competition is a masterclass in leveraging modern technology to make a large and heavy car handle with the poise of a lightweight sports car. While it may appear on paper as a grand tourer, and its cabin isolation reinforces this perception, its sports car persona is undeniable. By combining supercar performance with a relatively compliant suspension and a plush interior, the M8 achieves a level of duality unmatched by most modern GTs. At a price point nearing $160,000 for my Imola Red test vehicle, the M8’s versatility makes it a compelling all-in-one solution. When researching BMW dealerships, be sure to inquire about available customization options to maximize your satisfaction.
Ready to experience the intoxicating blend of luxury and performance for yourself? Schedule a test drive at your local BMW dealer and discover why the 2025 M8 Competition is more than just a car – it’s an experience.