BMW Malaysia Introduces the First-Ever BMW M8 Coupé and the First-Ever BMW M8 Gran Coupé.

BMW Malaysia introduced the First-Ever BMW M8 Coupé and the First-Ever BMW M8 Gran Coupé – the newest high-powered members to the premium automaker’s portfolio of luxury vehicles.

Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia said, “At the BMW Group, M is the Most Powerful Letter in the World, as it represents the high-performance vehicles born out of pure passion for motorsports. This fascination for power, speed and dynamics has put M on the map since 1972. We are pleased to bring together superior aesthetics and unimaginable power via the First-Ever BMW M8 Coupé and the First-Ever BMW M8 Gran Coupé – right here in the Secret Garage @ M Town.”

“The high-performance sporting segment of the world rests on the benchmark that has been set by BMW M automobiles, and with these two new additions, we witness that benchmark raised higher – as they carry the M legacy to greater heights,” Hoelzl added.

The First-Ever BMW M8 Coupé takes the BMW 8 Series model range to a whole new level in terms of performance as it benefits from the most powerful engine ever developed by BMW M. The First-Ever BMW M8 Gran Coupé similarly features the 4.4 litre V8 engine with BMW M TwinPower Technology and boasts the most spacious interior of all BMW M coupés – combining both comfort and performance in perfect harmony.

The Secret Garage @ M Town is based on the infamous BMW M Secret Garage – hidden somewhere within the BMW M facility in Munich, Germany. A range of iconic BMW M vehicles were displayed at the Secret Garage @ M Town, including the BMW M850i, BMW M5 and BMW M4.

The event also supported local entrepreneurs, Halo Doughnut – an artisanal sourdough doughnut business started by a passionate team of two just 10 days after the MCO began; as well as Monsterchef – experts in food styling and catering who innovated their business to fit the times by providing free cooking lessons online, and also selling home-cooked food in residential areas.

The First-Ever BMW M8 Coupé and First-Ever BMW M8 Gran Coupé – where luxury meets M power.

With a superior level of performance, the stunning First-Ever BMW M8 Coupé and First-Ever BMW M8 Gran Coupé are ready to revolutionise the sports luxury segment in Malaysia.

The two models arrive with the newly-introduced BMW 8 Series design language which features muscular sculpted surfaces and distinctive characteristics in the frontal appearance. These include the new M-specific front apron, along with the BMW kidney grille featuring M-specific decorative mesh, double slats and M8 designation. The slender BMW Laserlights with high-beam assistant are positioned slightly higher than the kidney grille and widens towards the road, thus emphasising the models’ low-slung stance and low centre of gravity.

Exterior mirrors with the characteristic M twin-stalk design are also fitted onto the First-Ever BMW M8 Coupé and First-Ever BMW M8 Gran Coupé. In typical fashion of BMW premium coupés, frameless side windows and the BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line adorn either side of the vehicles, while flared aluminium wings with M gills and M8 designation emphasise track width and wheel size. Towards the rear, both models sport the M rear spoiler, as well as M-specific M8 rear diffuser and M-specific exhaust system with twin tailpipes and chrome trims.

Other highlights of the two-door First-Ever BMW M8 Coupé and four-door First-Ever BMW M8 Gran Coupé include the soft-close function for doors and carbon roof made of self-coloured carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) that saves weight and lowers the vehicles’ centre of gravity. 20-inch M light alloy wheels in Double-spoke style 810 M Bicolour with mixed tyres and the automatic tailgate operation are also available.

The First-Ever BMW M8 Coupé and First-Ever BMW M8 Gran Coupé are powered by the completely redesigned high-revving V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology. The 4.4-litre engine delivers 441 kW/600 hp. That makes this unit, also known as the S63, the most powerful BMW M engine ever built for a production model. Achieving the century sprint in merely 3.3 seconds, the high-revving V8 engine impresses with a top speed of 250 km/h (limited), peak torque of 750 Nm at 1,800 – 5,600 rpm.

The First-Ever BMW M8 Coupé consumes 10.4 litre of fuel for every 100km travelled, and has a combined CO₂ output of 239g/km. Meanwhile, the First-Ever BMW M8 Gran Coupé consumes 10.7l/100km (combined) and outputs 243g/km (combined) of CO₂.

Drivers can press a button to choose between three different set-ups for the V8 unit, from the default EFFICIENT setting to SPORT and SPORT PLUS. Depending on the mode selected, the system will change the V8 engine’s response to accelerator pedal pressure as well as the sound characteristics of the flap-controlled exhaust system. Power is transmitted via a new eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic, operated sequentially via an M8-specific gear selector in S mode, or manually via paddles on the steering wheel. The D button enables the driver to choose between three different Drivelogic modes, which are activated through an integrated rocker switch in the vehicles’ new gear selector.

The M Sport exhaust system provides even more exciting engine sound to the First-Ever BMW M8 Coupé and First-Ever BMW M8 Gran Coupé. The Sound Control button next to the gear selector lever is available for drivers wanting to adjust the sound of their vehicle according to their personal preferences, taking acoustic comfort to its most advanced level.

Driving dynamics are provided to the First-Ever BMW M8 Coupé and First-Ever BMW M8 Gran Coupé via the M xDrive all-wheel drive system that contributes to the vehicles’ directional stability and superior traction. Its rear-wheel bias makes it suitable for extremely dynamic driving and the supremely flexible, fully variable torque split of this all-wheel drive system makes the vehicle easy to control at all times. Drivers can also adapt the M xDrive’s power distribution according to their personal preferences: from the 4WD default setting to the 4WD Sport mode and, with the DSC switched off, a rear-wheel-drive-only 2WD mode for use on the track.

In addition, the Active M differential in both models handles situation-dependent power distribution between the rear wheels to ensure optimal traction and directional stability. Drivers can also configure their own dynamic set-up, using the “COMFORT”, “SPORT” and “SPORT+” buttons to influence the engine as well as the M-specific Variable Damper Control and M Servotronic steering.

The models are also fitted with the M-specific integrated brake system. This innovative technology combines brake activation, brake booster and braking control functions in one compact module. The required brake pressure is established by an electric actuator. This optimises braking dynamics and pedal feel as well as the precision and speed of DSC (stability control) interventions. Both models also feature lighter M Compound brakes with blue callipers as standard.

Peering within, the cockpit of the First-Ever BMW M8 Coupé and First-Ever BMW M8 Gran Coupé features a sporty, low seating position and controls are grouped into clusters according to their function. The M Sport seats come with many electric adjustment options including a Memory function. Seat position, backrest angle, backrest width and thigh support can be individually adjusted. The M Sport seats with their integrated, illuminated M logo, and the full-leather dashboard and door trim panels create an appearance that is as sporty as it is sophisticated and luxurious. The models also come with the M8 wordmark on the door entry sills.

The rear seats – upholstered in Merino leather as standard – are comfortable, with a moulded shape that provides maximum lateral support even during dynamic driving. For the First-Ever BMW M8 Coupé, it has a 420 litres luggage space, and fold down its 50/50-split rear seat backrest to increase luggage space; while the First-Ever BMW M8 Gran Coupé offers 440 litres of space with a 40/20/40-split backrest. Other highlights include the M-specific gearshift lever knob, M seat belts and the 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system with 464-watt amplifier power.

Best-in-class infotainment systems equip both the models, such as the BMW Live Cockpit Professional running on the BMW Operating System 7.0. It consists of an all-digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a high-resolution 10.25-inch Control Display and a full-colour Head-Up Display with additional M-specific displays. Both vehicles can be operated via the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant’s latest voice control system, direct menu control buttons, the intuitive iDrive Touch Controller with its rotary/push button, the touchscreen Control Display or the Gesture Control system.

The new M Mode selector on the centre console can be used to control the driver assistance systems as well as the content of the instrument cluster displays and the Head-Up Display. M Mode can be used to activate the ROAD and SPORT settings. In addition to the M Mode selector, the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant elevates controlling the vehicle’s functions to a new level, enabling drivers to use their normal, natural voice and speech pattern to interact with the vehicle. (We have not tested this feature and we hope it will indeed recognize our normal, natural Asian slang. We have had many frustration using voice controls in European made vehicles that the feature is just useless here in Malaysia)

Owners of the First-Ever BMW M8 Coupé and First-Ever BMW M8 Gran Coupé can also enjoy a myriad of advanced assistance systems that provide comfort and safety in their 600 hp high-performance vehicles. Apart from Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function, the BMW Personal CoPilot driver assistance systems include the Driving Assistant Professional, and Parking Assistant Plus. These options contain functions such as Lane Keeping Assistant with side collision protection, Lane Change Assistant, Crossing-traffic Warning and the Reversing Assistant and many more.

The familiar BMW ConnectedDrive provides high-quality, innovative services. Among them are the functions included in the Connected Package Professional such as Remote Services, Teleservices, Intelligent Emergency Call, Apple CarPlay and Concierge Service. Other highlights include the Digital Key to unlock, start and lock the car using a compatible Samsung smartphone (Apple iOS?)– available as part of the Comfort Access, BMW Drive Recorder, and Remote Software Upgrade for over-the-air updates of the vehicle software.

The First-Ever BMW M8 Coupé and the First-Ever BMW M8 Gran Coupé are offered in seven alluring colours, namely Alpine White, Brands Hatch Grey, Marina Bay Blue, Motegi Red, Black Sapphire, Donington Grey and Barcelona Blue. Both interiors will be furnished with the Merino Leather offering in either Black or Silverstone.

Optionally, BMW Individual is available for owners to personalise their First-Ever BMW M8 Coupé or their First-Ever BMW M8 Gran Coupé. For those who cannot wait, an exclusive BMW M8 Coupe in BMW Individual Frozen Bluestone exterior is now available for purchase at an additional RM 30,000. This one-of-a-kind offering is currently limited to only one unit in Malaysia.

The First-Ever BMW M8 Coupé and First-Ever BMW M8 Gran Coupé will be available at all authorised BMW dealerships nationwide from 14^th August 2020. Customers can also book the new BMW M models on http://www.shop.bmw.com.my/ at RM5,000 each and be in the running to bring home a new BMW i8 Coupé.

Limited-Time, Special Programmes in Conjunction with Secret Garage @ M Town.

For a limited time only, BMW Group Malaysia is offering special programmes and campaigns for a range of BMW M models from 15^th August to 30^th September 2020. The Limited-Time M Town Special Support offers new owners of the BMW M2 Competition, BMW M4 Coupé, BMW M5 Sedan, BMW M850i xDrive Coupé an attractive price reduction of RM25,000, RM45,000, RM70,000 and RM75,000 respectively.

Dynamic financial programme.

With the Balloon Financing Plan from BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia, the First-Ever BMW M8 Coupé and First-Ever BMW M8 Gran Coupé can be owned with monthly instalment plans starting from RM 16,578.00 and RM 16,598.00 respectively (based on estimates of an 80% loan on a five-year tenure).

** Editor’s note:

• Warranty for these 2 models is 5 years, unlimited mileage.
• We asked about the possibility of having a drivers’ / owners’ advance driving program seeing that the M8 is after all a performance car and not many owners are able to take it to its full potential. There was no firm response, but the management did indicate that they may make it happen in their reply.

Credits : Photos by Justin Hong