M8
Introduced in 2019, the BMW M8 became the most performance-focused version of the contemporary 8 Series. BMW M offered it in three body styles: Coupe, Convertible and Gran Coupe. The road cars use a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged petrol V8, an eight-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission and M xDrive all-wheel drive. Depending on the trim and market, quoted output reaches 600 hp for the M8 and 625 hp for the M8 Competition. The Coupe and Convertible were unveiled in June 2019, while the M8 Gran Coupe followed in the autumn of the same year. Within the ScanRacer context, the 2019 model library includes all three body styles, each represented for a single model year.
What about the car you photographed?
Upload a photo to get a suggested make, model and likely year.
No account needed for the result · Publish only if you choose
Variants by year
Make: BMW · Model: M8
4 / 4 versions shown
2022
2019
BMW M8 photos
Model summary
Data from the ScanRacer library, organized to compare versions quickly.
Model introduction
Introduced in 2019, the BMW M8 became the most performance-focused version of the contemporary 8 Series. BMW M offered it in three body styles: Coupe, Convertible and Gran Coupe. The road cars use a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged petrol V8, an eight-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission and M xDrive all-wheel drive. Depending on the trim and market, quoted output reaches 600 hp for the M8 and 625 hp for the M8 Competition. The Coupe and Convertible were unveiled in June 2019, while the M8 Gran Coupe followed in the autumn of the same year. Within the ScanRacer context, the 2019 model library includes all three body styles, each represented for a single model year.
History
The BMW M8 story began before the 2019 production car. In the early 1990s, BMW M developed an M8 prototype based on the E31 8 Series Coupe. This one-off car used a 6.0-liter V12 rated at 640 hp, but it never entered series production. BMW M now describes that prototype as the direct forefather of the modern M8, while clearly distinguishing it from the later road car. The contemporary project formed part of BMW’s return to the top end of the luxury sports-car market through the revived 8 Series. The BMW M8 GTE race car appeared in 2017, before the road-going model, and competed in FIA WEC and IMSA endurance programs. BMW stated that development of the race car and the production 8 Series proceeded in parallel. The production M8 was announced on June 4, 2019, in Coupe and Convertible forms, with standard and Competition versions. BMW followed with the M8 Gran Coupe in October 2019. Its wheelbase was 200 mm longer than that of the two-door models, giving the four-door car more rear accommodation and a stronger grand-touring emphasis. The three body styles therefore belong to the launch of the modern M8, rather than representing separate generations.
Generations
The modern BMW M8 should not be confused with the E31 prototype from the early 1990s. That car was a one-off development vehicle, built in a single example and never sold as a series-production automobile. It is historically important, but it does not represent a commercial first generation. The first series-production M8 arrived in 2019 as part of the contemporary BMW 8 Series family. BMW uses the internal designations F92 for the Coupe, F91 for the Convertible and F93 for the Gran Coupe. These codes identify different body styles derived from the same 8 Series program, not three separate generations. The Coupe and Convertible share the core M8 powertrain and technical concept, while the Gran Coupe uses a longer four-door body with additional rear accommodation. For historical accuracy, the M8 is best described as one modern production generation launched in 2019 and offered in three body styles. M8 and M8 Competition are performance variants within that generation. The E31 prototype and the M8 GTE are relevant parts of the nameplate’s story, but they should not be counted as road-going generations equivalent to the catalogued models.
Key differences
The clearest differences are related to body style. The M8 Coupe is the most directly performance-oriented choice, with two doors and a fixed roof. The Convertible retains the main mechanical package but adds a folding roof and a stronger open-air grand-touring character. The Gran Coupe has four doors, a wheelbase 200 mm longer than the two-door cars and more rear passenger space, making it the more practical interpretation without abandoning M performance. Power differences are primarily linked to trim level. BMW’s launch data lists 600 hp for the standard M8 and 625 hp for the M8 Competition. Acceleration, horsepower ratings in the United States and fuel-consumption figures should not be compared without identifying the market and test standard. Across the launch documentation, the three body styles share the 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8, eight-speed automatic transmission and M xDrive all-wheel-drive system.
Photo recognition
A 2019 M8 is first identified as a high-performance member of the 8 Series range, but several M-specific details help separate it from an M850i or another standard model. Look for a visibly wider body, large air intakes, dedicated exterior mirrors, M side gills, a rear diffuser and four exhaust outlets. M8 or M8 Competition badges can support the identification, but badges alone are not conclusive on a modified car. Body style provides an immediate clue: a fixed roof and two doors identify the Coupe, a folding roof identifies the Convertible, and four doors with a longer roofline identify the Gran Coupe. Competition cars may feature additional exterior and interior details, although equipment varies by market and option package. For a dependable identification, combine the body shape and M hardware with the VIN and the exact designation recorded in the vehicle documents.
Important versions
The key launch versions were the M8 and M8 Competition. BMW’s documentation rates the standard car at 600 hp and the Competition at 625 hp. Both levels were offered for the Coupe and Convertible, and later for the Gran Coupe. The standard Gran Coupe was announced with 600 hp, while the Gran Coupe Competition used the 625-hp specification. BMW also announced a limited M8 Gran Coupe First Edition, planned after the model launch and based on the Competition version. It should be treated as a special launch edition rather than a fourth primary body style. Names, equipment and quoted performance figures can vary by market, so the VIN and original vehicle documentation remain the best references when identifying an individual car.
The name “M8” follows BMW naming, with its rules and its exceptions. Decode a BMW name
References
- The New 2020 BMW M8 Coupe and ConvertibleBMW Group PressClub USA
- The new BMW M8 Gran Coupe and BMW M8 Competition Gran CoupeBMW Group PressClub Global
- The BMW M8 E31 PrototypeBMW M
- Innovative technology for a new legend: the new BMW M8 GTEBMW Group PressClub Global
- https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/usa/article/detail/T0301607EN_US/the-new-2020-bmw-m8-gran-coupe-and-m8-gran-coupe-competitionpress.bmwgroup.com
- https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/usa/article/detail/T0279001EN_US/the-bmw-concept-m8-gran-coupe-showcases-a-new-interpretation-of-luxury-for-the-bmw-brand?language=en_USpress.bmwgroup.com
- https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/portugal/article/detail/T0296237PT/the-new-bmw-m8-coupe-and-bmw-m8-competition-coupe-the-new-bmw-m8-convertible-and-bmw-m8-competition-convertible?language=ptpress.bmwgroup.com
Technical specifications
Structured data available for versions linked to this model.
| Version | Power | Torque | Top speed | Drivetrain | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 600 hp (441 kW) | — | — | M xDrive all-wheel drive with rear-biased operation and Active M Differential / Eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic | — |
Frequently asked questions
- What years was the BMW M8 produced?
- ScanRacer's referenced versions cover 2019 - 2022.
- How many BMW M8 examples are documented on ScanRacer?
- 8 published scans from 6 members, with the latest photo added in September 2026.
- What is the power output of the BMW M8?
- The sourced technical data lists 600 hp (441 kW).
What about the car you photographed?
Upload a photo to get a suggested make, model and likely year.
No account needed for the result · Publish only if you choose