BMW M8: Which Version to Buy and Why
The BMW M8 catalogue data presents a clear choice between the original Sedan produced from June 2019 through January 2022 and the restyled Cabrio produced from February 2022 onward. Both belong to the first generation, although the catalogue contains two generation records. The original range lists nine specifications, while the restyling lists three.
The BMW M8 catalogue data presents a clear choice between the original Sedan produced from June 2019 through January 2022 and the restyled Cabrio produced from February 2022 onward. Both belong to the first generation, although the catalogue contains two generation records. The original range lists nine specifications, while the restyling lists three. Every version uses a 4,395 cc Gasoline V-shaped 8-cylinder turbo engine, an 8-speed Automatic gearbox, and AWD. Choosing between them therefore comes down to body style, output, acceleration, fuel requirements, weight, and the availability of detailed chassis figures—not a different basic powertrain layout.
BMW M8 generations and versions
The first-generation Sedan ran from June 2019 to January 2022 and contains nine catalogue entries. These comprise M850i xDrive with 530 hp, plus 4.4 AT xDrive specifications rated at 600 hp, 617 hp, or 625 hp. Some identical names and outputs appear more than once because their acceleration, economy, weight, wheel, or production data differ. For example, the 625 hp 4.4 AT xDrive is listed with both 3.2- and 3.3-second acceleration figures, and at kerb weights ranging from 1,885 to 2,010 kg.
The first-generation restyling began in February 2022 and is catalogued as a Cabrio with three versions. All are named 4.4 AT xDrive and produce 625 hp and 750 Nm, but their measured performance and weights differ. Two reach 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds and one takes 3.3 seconds; kerb weights are 1,885, 1,980, and 2,010 kg. Unlike the earlier versions, these specifications use 95 fuel rather than 98.
BMW M8 engine specs and power-to-displacement comparison
All catalogue versions share the same engine fundamentals: 4,395 cc displacement, Gasoline fuel, 8 cylinders in a V-shaped layout, Turbo boost, direct injection, a front longitudinal installation, 4 valves per cylinder, a compression ratio of 10, and an 89 × 88.3 mm bore and stroke. Power arrives at 6,000 rpm. The 530 hp M850i xDrive develops 764 Nm from 1,800–5,600 rpm, while the 4.4 AT xDrive versions produce 750 Nm. Their torque range is 1,800–5,600 rpm or 1,800–5,800 rpm, depending on output.
| Generation and body | Exact version name | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation, Sedan | M850i xDrive | 530 hp / 441 kW | 764 Nm | 4,395 cc | Gasoline, 98 | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| First generation, Sedan | 4.4 AT xDrive, 600 hp | 600 hp / 441 kW | 750 Nm | 4,395 cc | Gasoline, 98 | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| First generation, Sedan | 4.4 AT xDrive, 617 hp | 617 hp / 453 kW | 750 Nm | 4,395 cc | Gasoline, 98 | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| First generation, Sedan | 4.4 AT xDrive, 625 hp | 625 hp / 460 kW | 750 Nm | 4,395 cc | Gasoline, 98 | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| First generation restyling, Cabrio | 4.4 AT xDrive, 625 hp | 625 hp / 459 kW | 750 Nm | 4,395 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
The output hierarchy is straightforward. The 600 hp 4.4 AT xDrive adds 70 hp over M850i xDrive, the 617 hp version adds 87 hp, and the 625 hp version adds 95 hp. Because displacement is unchanged, approximate power density rises from 121 hp per litre for M850i xDrive to 137 hp per litre at 600 hp, 140 hp per litre at 617 hp, and 142 hp per litre at 625 hp. M850i xDrive nevertheless has 14 Nm more torque than every 4.4 AT xDrive listed.
BMW M8 performance, 0–100 km/h, and fuel economy
| Generation and body | Exact version name | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City | Highway | Combined | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation, Sedan | M850i xDrive, 530 hp | 3.9 sec | 250 km/h | 15.2 L/100 km | 8.1 L/100 km | 10.7 L/100 km | 244 g/km |
| First generation, Sedan | 4.4 AT xDrive, 600 hp, 2,010 kg | 3.4 sec | 250 km/h | 15.2 L/100 km | 8.0 L/100 km | 10.8 L/100 km | 246 g/km |
| First generation, Sedan | 4.4 AT xDrive, 600 hp, 1,885 kg | 3.3 sec | 250 km/h | 15.2 L/100 km | 8.0 L/100 km | 10.6 L/100 km | 242 g/km |
| First generation, Sedan | 4.4 AT xDrive, 617 hp, 1,995 kg | not measured | 250 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured | 242 g/km |
| First generation, Sedan | 4.4 AT xDrive, 617 hp, 1,885 kg | 3.3 sec | 250 km/h | 15.2 L/100 km | 8.0 L/100 km | 10.6 L/100 km | 242 g/km |
| First generation, Sedan | 4.4 AT xDrive, 625 hp, 1,980 kg | 3.2 sec | 250 km/h | 15.2 L/100 km | 8.1 L/100 km | 10.7 L/100 km | 244 g/km |
| First generation, Sedan | 4.4 AT xDrive, 625 hp, 2,010 kg | 3.3 sec | 250 km/h | 15.2 L/100 km | 8.3 L/100 km | 10.8 L/100 km | 246 g/km |
| First generation, Sedan | 4.4 AT xDrive, 625 hp, 1,885 kg | 3.2 sec | 250 km/h | 15.3 L/100 km | 8.0 L/100 km | 10.6 L/100 km | 242 g/km |
| First generation, Cabrio restyling | 4.4 AT xDrive, 625 hp, 2,010 kg | 3.3 sec | 250 km/h | 15.2 L/100 km | 8.3 L/100 km | 10.8 L/100 km | 246 g/km |
| First generation, Cabrio restyling | 4.4 AT xDrive, 625 hp, 1,885 kg | 3.2 sec | 250 km/h | 15.3 L/100 km | 8.0 L/100 km | 10.6 L/100 km | 246 g/km |
| First generation, Cabrio restyling | 4.4 AT xDrive, 625 hp, 1,980 kg | 3.2 sec | 250 km/h | 15.2 L/100 km | 8.1 L/100 km | 10.7 L/100 km | 246 g/km |
The quickest measured choice is a 625 hp 4.4 AT xDrive at 3.2 seconds. That is 0.7 seconds quicker to 100 km/h than M850i xDrive. The measured 600 hp and 617 hp versions take 3.3–3.4 seconds, so the strongest specifications improve the result by only 0.1–0.2 seconds over those alternatives. All versions have the same listed 250 km/h top speed.
Fuel consumption varies within a narrow band. Combined figures run from 10.6 to 10.8 L/100 km, a total spread of 0.2 L/100 km. City consumption is 15.2 or 15.3 L/100 km, while highway consumption ranges from 8.0 to 8.3 L/100 km. The 617 hp, 1,995 kg 4.4 AT xDrive has no recorded acceleration or consumption figures; each is therefore not measured rather than assumed from another entry.
BMW M8 weight, ground clearance, tank, and wheel sizes
All versions carry a 68-litre fuel tank and use independent spring suspension at both ends with ventilated disc brakes front and rear. The lightest recorded kerb weight is 1,885 kg and the heaviest is 2,010 kg, a difference of 125 kg. Recorded gross weight ranges from 2,385 to 2,600 kg.
The best power-to-weight result in the data belongs to the 625 hp 4.4 AT xDrive at 1,885 kg: approximately 3.02 kg per hp. The 617 hp version at the same weight records about 3.06 kg per hp, while the 600 hp version at 1,885 kg records about 3.14 kg per hp. A 625 hp version at 2,010 kg records about 3.22 kg per hp. M850i xDrive at its recorded 1,995 kg is approximately 3.76 kg per hp.
Ground clearance is 130 mm for the M850i xDrive entries. It is not measured for every 4.4 AT xDrive specification. M850i xDrive uses 245/35 R20 and 275/30 R20 wheels. The original 4.4 AT xDrive entries use either 275/40 R19 with 285/40 R19 or 275/35 R20 with 285/35 R20. Wheel sizes for all restyled Cabrio entries are not measured.
Which BMW M8 version should you buy?
For the strongest measured performance and best calculated weight per horsepower, choose the first-generation 4.4 AT xDrive with 625 hp and a 1,885 kg kerb weight. It reaches 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, records 10.6 L/100 km combined consumption, and has the lowest listed gross weight of 2,385 kg. Its 242 g/km CO₂ result is also lower than the 244–246 g/km figures attached to several other specifications.
For nearly the same measured pace with slightly less output, the 617 hp 4.4 AT xDrive at 1,885 kg is the close alternative. It is 8 hp down on the 625 hp version yet posts the same 3.3-second result as some 625 hp entries, along with the same 10.6 L/100 km combined consumption as the most economical listed versions.
M850i xDrive is the choice when its particular catalogue attributes matter more than the quickest acceleration. It is the only exact version name in the data besides 4.4 AT xDrive, has the highest torque at 764 Nm, provides a measured 130 mm ground clearance, and includes specified staggered 20-inch wheel sizes. The trade-off is its 3.9-second 0–100 km/h time, 0.5–0.7 seconds behind the measured 4.4 AT xDrive range.
Choose the restyled 4.4 AT xDrive if the Cabrio body and 95 fuel specification are priorities. Its three entries retain 625 hp, 750 Nm, the 8-speed Automatic gearbox, AWD, and a 250 km/h top speed. Their 3.2–3.3-second acceleration range matches the quickest original 625 hp specifications. The restyling does not add power over the strongest earlier version, and its wheel sizes and ground clearance are not measured.
No price, sale, reliability, engine-code, oil, or problem data is supplied, so those points cannot support a buying recommendation here. On the measured numbers alone, the 625 hp, 1,885 kg 4.4 AT xDrive is the performance-led choice; M850i xDrive is the more clearly documented choice for torque, clearance, and wheel fitment; and the restyled 625 hp 4.4 AT xDrive is the Cabrio choice without a performance penalty in the listed acceleration figures.