What this model variant? We wondered that, as BMW announced its M8 Gran coupe. However, the Gran coupe in Munich are almost as sacred as the cows in India. In addition, BMW has to offer-fat motorized four-door rivals such as the Porsche Panamera Turbo or Audi RS7 Paroli. The biggest difference to the normal M8 coupe are the M8 Gran coupe, the two rear doors. This swing Get far and enable a comfortable. Even for the legs of tall pass hats to operate thanks to the wheelbase of 3.03 meters and a lot of space – but at the head of freedom it is quickly running out.
Therefore, we’d better sit down where you can hear a BMW M should be: on the left of the front of the Wheel. The seat with its huge cheeks fixed of us awarded at the curve of the dance, but for long cruises with excellent comfort. The start button is pressed: Bollernd from the M5-known V8 Biturbo wakes up with his, in the Competition variant of 625 HP (460 kW) and 750 Nm of life.
From the four-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive
The Cockpit is a large playing field. Via “M-Mode”-button you define the hunting area of the fast Bavaria: street, Sport or track. Basically, the assistance systems are activated or switched off, wherein in the Track mode of the Infotainment screen goes blank. An additional button allows you to adjust the fine-tuning of the dampers, steering, brakes, engine and all-wheel drive – to the delight of M-traditionalists is itself a pure rear-wheel drive configuration possible. On the gear lever, you can also set the switching characteristics of the 8-speed Steptronic.
From the Gentleman up to the top sportsmen
let’s go. After a few kilometres, it becomes clear: In the Comfort mode, the M8 Gran coupe gives the Asphalt a Gentleman, yet you are already circles around most other vehicles. “In the development of our focus was on the symbiosis between comfort and sportiness,” says project Manager Christian Müller. We find: Fulfilled! The front of the car jump when you turn formally into the curve and coming out of this like it is on rails.
“We have at the front the stiffness of the car increased greatly and the connection to the chassis optimized” confirmed Müller our impression. Only in the case of fast driven curves with tight radii, the Gran coupe can’t hide its weight of 1980 pounds and pushes the Front to the outside. But: if you drive to victory, anyway Sport or Sport Plus. Then, the engine is still greedy on the throttle and the rear wheel sometimes when accelerating Out slightly twitching.
Of 199’000 to 219’000 Swiss francs
he Who is not with the knife between the teeth on the go, the Comfort setting is loose enough. No matter what the configuration – 5.01 meters long M8 Gran coupe Competition is doing on country roads a lot of Fun, and surpasses the already quite agile brothers of the 8-series in all areas. The driving performances are not without: 0-100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, top speed of 305 km/h top speed (if the M-athletes to unlock). Not quite the price: starting From 199’000 and 219 000 Swiss francs (Competition) is without but.
