The BMW M8 Gran Coupe has landed, joining its Coupe and Convertible siblings. As with those two models of M8, and also the current M5 and its higher-spec Competition - and even the X5 M/X6 M twins - you get two specifications of the M8 Gran Coupe: the 'plain old' 600hp/750Nm model; or the 625hp Competition version (which has the same torque from the same 4.4-litre biturbo V8 petrol engine). Expect 0-62mph in 3.2 seconds on the M8 Competition GC and an almost-as-scorching 3.3 seconds for the M8 GC; but also expect, like the M8 Coupe and Convertible, for only the Competition model to land on these shores. Power is diverted to all four wheels (M xDrive) through an eight-speed M Steptronic automatic, with items such as an Active M Differential, M-optimised suspension with adaptive dampers, M Servotronic steering and M compound brakes all helping to keep this mighty four-door on the straight and narrow. As on the M5 models, the M8 GC has three modes for xDrive, which are 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD, and the ultimate Eight can be spotted thanks to big air intakes, Black Chrome kidney grilles, BMW Laserlight headlamps, 21-inch M alloy wheels, gold callipers, gloss-black rear detailing for the bootlip spoiler and rear diffuser, and of course the prerequisite quad exhausts. It also has a carbon-fibre roof and an interior jazzed-up with various M goodies, nothing more obvious than those glorious M Sports seats with illuminated M8 badging. The keen-eyed among you might spot a new design of shifter for the eight-speed gearbox, as well; snazzy!

Matt Robinson - 8 Oct 2019