New 2022 BMW M8 Competition makes its debut

Having updated its regular 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Gran Coupe line-ups, BMW has turned its attention to the M8 Competition, updating it for 2022 with some subtle styling changes, more technology inside and racier seats to reflect its positioning as the brand’s luxury performance range-topper.

The new M8 Competition is available in three bodystyles (Coupe, Convertible and four-door Gran Coupe) and retains its 616bhp, 750Nm 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine. This sends power to all four wheels through an M-tuned eight-speed automatic gearbox and the brand’s M xDrive all-wheel-drive system.

With launch control, the M8 Competition Coupe and Gran Coupe can sprint from 0-62mph in 3.2 seconds, with the Convertible taking an extra tenth of a second.

As per the standard 8 Series, the design updates for this M8 model are modest, with a new lower front apron and eight new body colours (including four ‘frozen’ matte paint finishes) available alongside new 20-inch alloy wheels. BMW also says that M lights Shadow Line will be available for the first time for the car’s headlights, allowing buyers extra scope to customise the car.

Inside, new M Carbon bucket seats similar to those in the M3 and M4 models feature, fixing the driver and passenger in place, while M8 models now come trimmed in Merino leather and Alcantara upholstery, which adds a sportier feel, heightened by a new black and Sakhir Orange interior colour option. More Alcantara features on the dashboard and doors.

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The M8 Competition’s tech tally has taken a step up too, with the same upgraded infotainment unit as in the regular 8 Series, now measuring 12.3 inches across compared with its predecessor’s 10.25-inch set-up.

BMW’s digital dash remains, while UK cars feature the brand’s Driving Assistant and Parking Assistant Plus packs, metallic paint, two-zone climate control with BMW’s climate control windscreen function, full keyless operation, a head-up display, gesture control for the new infotainment set-up, and BMW’s Connected Pro features.

Options on the M8 Competition include the M Pro Pack, which adds carbon-ceramic brakes, with gold calipers, the Comfort Plus Pack (which includes ventilated seats), and BMW’s Carbon Pack, including a carbon fibre engine cover and more carbon fibre exterior styling items.

The brand’s Visibility Pack includes the M lights Shadow Line option, laser lights and BMW’s Technology Plus Pack, which brings with it the Driving Assistant Professional suite and a Bowers and Wilkins stereo.

The new M8 Competition is on sale now, priced from £123,300 for the four-door M8 Competition Gran Coupe, rising to £125,800 for the Coupe. The M8 Competition Convertible is priced from £132,800, with deliveries beginning in March.

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