FYI: The BMW M8 is an illustrious tale of engineering ambition, representing the untapped potential of a legendary supercar that never was.
The Dream of Speed and Luxury
The 1980s marked an era of automotive excess, with manufacturers vying for the prestigious title of the "fastest car in the world." This period witnessed the rise of supercars, among them the Porsche 959 and the Ferrari F40, both surpassing 200 mph. However, it was the tuned monsters, like the RUF CTR Yellow Bird and Callaway’s Sledgehammer, that stole the show with top speeds of 217 mph and an eye-watering 255 mph, respectively.
As the 1990s rolled in, the need for speed intensified further. The Jaguar XJ220, Lamborghini Diablo, and Bugatti’s EB110 joined the high-speed race, each bringing their own flavor to the swiftly expanding supercar arena. BMW, known for its performance-oriented cars under the ‘M’ moniker, aimed higher, setting its sights on creating a supercar to top them all.
BMW’s Bold Vision
The Bavarian automaker tasked its M division with transforming the E31 8 Series, a grand tourer, into a supercar par excellence. M GmbH’s mission was not just to compete, but to establish BMW as the definitive leader in the automotive industry. The E31 had all the right ingredients for this transformation, boasting superior aerodynamics with a 0.29 drag coefficient, better than contemporaries like the Porsche 959 and McLaren F1.
To enhance this platform, the M8 prototype featured advanced aerodynamics, a custom body kit, and a redesigned engine bay. The car’s powertrain was to be an S70/2 V12 engine, an evolution of BMW’s V12 engine family, boasting an impressive 640 horsepower.
A Supercar Ahead of Its Time
In 1992, BMW released the 850CSI with a 5.6-liter, 380hp engine. However, the M8’s powertrain was something of a legend – a quad-cam, dry-sump, 640hp thoroughbred. It dwarfed the Bugatti EB110’s 603hp and Lamborghini Diablo GT’s 575hp. Weight-saving measures were also prioritized; glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) was used extensively throughout the body.
The interior followed suit, with luxuries giving way to performance-oriented components. Recaro seats replaced the standard ones, and Sabert harnesses ensured safety, while the rear seats were completely removed for weight reduction.
A Heartfelt Reverie
Despite the promise it held, the BMW M8 never saw the light of day in production. This outcome remains a point of personal disappointment, especially for those like me who hold the E31 in a special place. As a child, I admired the striking profile of the E31 840CI, cherishing dreams of what it could have become.
BMW’s decision can be understood in light of past economic challenges with models like the 507 and M1. Yet, the M8 felt different—it had the moxie to be a real-world contender. Though the M8 never reached production, its perfect blend of performance and design exemplified BMW’s commitment to lead the charge in automotive innovation.
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Donald Smith, Editor of Automotive.fyi
