There's now a third model in the BMW M8 family. Meet the biggest of them all, the BMW M8 Gran Coupe.

The BMW M8 Gran Coupe will be the biggest of the family and retains the thundering 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine. It's available in two flavours: M8 and M8 Competition. In standard guise, there's 441 kW and 750 Nm, with the M8Competition serving up 460 kW.

Mated to an xDrive all-wheel-drive setup by an 8-speed M Steptronic transmission, performance is rated at 3.3 seconds and it'll hit 200 kph in 11.2 seconds. The M8 Competition is even more ferocious, with 3.2 seconds to 100 kph and 11 seconds to 200 kph. Top speed is claimed at 250 kph, but you can opt for the M Driver's package which moves that limiter to 305 kph. Perfect for those late-night autobahn runs then.

The vehicle comes with an Active M Differential which works in conjunction with the xDrive all-wheel-drive system to ensure sporty handling. For those brave enough, the vehicle can disengage its front axle and send all that power to the rear, for those wanting proper rear-wheel-drive theatrics. The BMW M8 Competition model gains specific chassis tuning to give it a track focus, although it's unlikely customers would be taking them to the race circuits.

The new BMW M8 Gran Coupe is 231 millimetres longer than itstwo-door siblings. There's also a200-millimetre increase in wheelbase length for rear cabin space, where passengers can sit in two full-size individual seats. The boot has a capacity of 440 litres, which is good enough for golf clubs.

For those wanting the ultimate, there's theBMW M8 Gran Coupe First Edition, which features some really classy touches. The BMW kidney grille and badges are inhigh-gloss black, there are forged M light-alloy wheels with a high-sheen milled 3D pattern and bi-colour paint finish, a black rear spoiler and an M Sport exhaust system with black chrome tailpipes. If you want more, then go for theoptional M Carbon exterior package, comprising inserts for the front air intakes, exterior mirror caps, M gills on the flanks, a rear diffuser and a rear spoiler all made from CFRP. There'll be just 400 units available for the global market.

The BMW M8 Gran Coupe will be arriving in South Africa in the first quarter of 2020.

The interior of the BMW M8 Gran Coupe

Further Reading

BMW M8: Price in SA

BMW M8 Gets M Performance Parts Treatment

BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe Price Announced

BMW M850i Review – Launch Control, Exhaust Sound, Panicked Face