BMW has divulged details regarding the technology to be offered in the forthcoming M8 Coupe and Convertible. It looks tantalising…

The M8, the pinnacle of the 8 Series range, is currently in development and it will come to market in both Coupe and Convertible guises as well as in Competition flavours for those who want more of an edge in terms of styling and performance.

While we wait for boffs at BMW M to work their magic, the Munich-based firm has dropped a few technological details pertaining to the M8.

Performance control at your fingertips

Adaptive braking will be offered on the forthcoming M8 for the first time, along with a host of new tech.

BMW will introduce a new display and control system that drivers would typically use to configure the vehicles powertrain, chassis and driving assistance systems. Vehicle settings are accessed via a new Setup button while the displays and driver assistance systems can be configured with a new M Mode, both of which add more scope for adjustment and higher levels of control.

Most notably, however, apart from being able to independently adjust settings for the engine, suspension, steering and torque vectoring (in M models with xDrive all-wheel drive), the M8 Coupe and Convertible will now also allow the driver to adjust the braking system as required using the new Setup button.

The settings for each parameter are as follows:

Engine: Efficient, Sport, Sport Plus

Chassis: Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus

Steering: Comfort, Sport

Braking: Comfort, Sport

XDrive AWD: 4WD, 4WD Sport, 2WD

In addition, 2 different setups/combinations can be permanently stored with other settings (engine sound, gearshift setting etc.) and these can be quickly accessed and enabled by pressing the 2 M buttons on the steering wheel.

In the case of the new adaptive braking feature which will appear for the first time in the M8, it will be geared to suit the driving situation by offering varying pedal feel when in Comfort or in Sport brake mode. In Comfort, braking pressure is more gradual while Sport sharpens the brakes for more instantaneous braking.

A compact braking module now includes brake activation, brake booster and brake control which has reduced overall weight by about 2 kg and features a vacuum-free booster to improve efficiency. The M8 will be offered with standard M compound brakes or M carbon-ceramic brakes.

Lastly, the new M Mode button will allow the driver to alter the responses of the driver assistance systems and screens appearing in the all-digital instrument cluster and head-up display unit. The Driver can activate modes such as Road and Sport while the M8 Competition variants will also offer a Track setting. This function will alter the way in which the driver experiences the M8 depending on the driving situation by providing suitable visual and functional information to the driver. The technologies mentioned above are also expected to filter into future M models.

The new BMW M8 willbe revealed in June 2019 and we suspect that a twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 engine, the same that powers the M5, will be under the bonnet with at least 441 kW and 800 Nm on tap. We can’t wait for this beast to break cover!

We will keep you updated as more details become available.

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