M8 [Official] The New BMW M8 GTE

[SKY]

I would be careful about drawing too many conclusions about the looks of the production car, based on the race car - as I've pointed out before, they really aren't required to share a great deal in the looks department - certainly not enough to maintain the subtleties of the concept car even if they were to end up in production (which granted, some won't).

Well, I am not an expert on these kind of race cars, but I guess I kind of know where to look at? Glasshouse, front and rear lights and kidneys. Those are the same for the M4, M6 and Z4 race cars than on the production version, why not this time then as well?

 

[Matski]

Well, I am not an expert on these kind of race cars, but I guess I kind of know where to look at? Glasshouse, front and rear lights and kidneys. Those are the same for the M4, M6 and Z4 race cars than on the production version, why not this time then as well?

Generally speaking this is true. It is series dependant, and the road to race shared areas of an M4 DTM car aren't the same as those from a WEC GT car for instance. The things you mention do tend to be the same shape* from road to race previously - so the answer to your question is.... because they are not going to be the same. However those 4 things being varying degrees of similar/different, do not equate to the whole car looking nothing like the concept.
* construction, materials etc. may vary, and shape may be in 1, 2 or 3 axes.

I'm not saying the production car will look exactly like the concept, but the race car just isn't the best yardstick by which to make an absolute decision.... only the sith deal in absolutes!

 

[M.N.D]

Maybe I'm a bit late here, but a couple of thoughts I would like to share.

Aesthetically, and as @Matski commented earlier, drawing conclusions on how the road going version of the standard 8er will be by looking at the GTE version is not the best method.

From the inflated fenders and the aerodynamic bodywork, the kidney grilles missing the slats (which I believe was intentional, as BMW did not want to give away more hints on how the 8er will look), the huge and complex rear diffuser, and the racing livery, all of these factors deflect from drawing a picture on how the G15 will look.

As for comparing the race version to the road going one on the previous models, it is possible that we have seen the standard production first, then the race car was introduced (in the case of the M6, the GT3 version debuted almost 4 years after the F13), but here it the opposite. Think of it as looking at the pics of the camoed cars and the renderings before the official reveal; you know they are close, but there is something missing.

As for the GTE car itself, I can see that BMW is being serious this time, by applyng the the "concave" front splitter and the swan neck rear wing. I hope they can deliver, and become a force to be reckoned with on the 2018 season of the FIA WEC and IMSA Weathertech chamiponships.

On a side note, I wonder about the current state of GTE class in general, but let's leave this for another time.

 

[Matski]

The M8 GTE is still testing and recently completed a 24 test at Paul Ricard

 

[SKY]

@SCOTT27 Are we right assuming the production version of the 8er will feature the same frontlights, rearlights and kidneys as this M8 GTE?

 

[wL0316]

@SCOTT27 Are we right assuming the production version of the 8er will feature the same frontlights, rearlights and kidneys as this M8 GTE?

Without any insider info, I think these are 90% if not 100% the production headlights, rear lights and kidneys. It is unlikely for BMW to create an one-off design for a race car, as opposed to a design that is derived from the production model.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

Head- as well as taillamps, roof/glasshouse, kidney grill (albeit sans slats on the GTE) and doors (complete with a relatively clear indication of the production cars' flank sculpturing) and trunklid provide accurate clues of what to expect.

It should be very good indeed.

 

[M.N.D]

First of all, thanks for sharing @Matski

It seems that BMW is testing some new equipment, as the diffuser is different from the one seen on the show car in the first page, in addition to dive planes on the front bumper, unless this is an earlier prototype vehicle, and the final product is what has been already seen on the show car.

Aesthetically, the stance of the M8 GTE is commanding, and I think it's going to be the most visually striking car in its class. I hope they'll be strong in FIA WEC and IMSA Weathertech SC next year. BMW was very competitive during this season of IMSA WSC despite a less than stellar start in GTLM, as they almost snatched the class titles, so with a car optimized for the category, I hope them all the best.

@SCOTT27 Are we right assuming the production version of the 8er will feature the same frontlights, rearlights and kidneys as this M8 GTE?

As @wL0316 and @Jimmy mentioned, I think that the headlights, taillights, and kidneys will be shared with the production model. However, the rough finish and the inflated bodywork of the GTE car seen here may be deceiving, as the components you mentioned are designed to fit the regular, road going 8er.

 

[SKY]

If this is the 8er we are getting, I am starting to believe the M8, especially after seeing how good is M lately at designing front and rear bumpers, could top the 8er Concept in terms of looks.

Really really like what I am seeing.

 

[M.N.D]

As much as I like the current M6, which looks very good, seeing the sculptured profile of the concept car, and what can be seen from this GTE, makes me believe the upcoming M8 will make the current F13 look plain.

 

[klier]

As much as I like the current M6, which looks very good, seeing the sculptured profile of the concept car, and what can be seen from this GTE, makes me believe the upcoming M8 will make the current F13 look plain.

Not just plain, but round, fat and old too.

 

[M.N.D]

Not just plain, but round, fat and old too.

The main design feature I don't quite like about the current 6er, in its different forms, is the "heavy" front with its longer-than-it-should front overhang. The GC somehow looks better due to the longer side profile, but it didn't solve the issue I mentioned. When the car debuted for the first time back in 2010-2011, I thought it was going to be one of the best looking cars from BMW, partly due to the fact that it was replacing the former E63, which I didn't like back then. I was wrong.

Many years later, I grew older, and my thinking and my reasoning matured. As a result, I started to appreciate the unusual lines of the second gen 6er. It may not be considered as "beautiful" to me at least, because when it was released, I didn't find the classic lines of what I used to expect from BMW, and didn't like the overall design. However, seeing the car now, you can tell it has a better athletic persona than the larger and heavier F13, which is reflected in a better driving experience.

Usually, large cars have this physical presence (wide, low, big wheels) which covers some design shortcomings that won't be noticed until time is passed, and the WOW factor has sunk in. This is where design can be really appreciated, and it looks like the F13 didn't pass the test. I'll admit that the conservative F10 5er is more elegant and looks better than the 6er.

I don't know if the upcoming 8er will fix these design issues, but adding some sculpture effects that flow alongside the profile may give the car a beautiful shape, enough to become a classic many years later.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

I've always been of the opinion that the wider tracks of the M6 versions greatly benefit the (F12/F13/F06) 6 series aesthetic. I continue to consider the M6 versions as being genuinely gorgeous automobiles. In "standard" form however, my enthusiasm waned quite rapidly and the car soon left me indifferent.

I'm anticipating something far better in the form of the new 8 series.

 

[Matski]

First of all, thanks for sharing @Matski

No worries, they are just official BMW press shots.




FWIW, I really don't like the way it looks at all, in my opinion its the worst looking BMW GT car I can think of!

... but never mind

 

[SCOTT27]

The rear lights are what we are getting. The front if you compare the spy shots are more edgier at the bonnet line and base.

 

[M.N.D]

No worries, they are just official BMW press shots.




FWIW, I really don't like the way it looks at all, in my opinion its the worst looking BMW GT car I can think of!

... but never mind

I have to be honest then. A significant part of me liking the car is the little BMW fan inside, and for me, seeing BMW competing in a race is just like watching your favourite football team and cheering for it.

I quite like the overall design. However, I'm still not that warmed to the design of front, mainly the kidney grilles. Maybe it'll get better with time, or I'll just get over it.

For me, M4 still looks the best among the coupes. I hope this grille won't make it to the next generation 4er

 

[hovabongZA]

There’s no question about it the 8 series is going to look realllu good only question is how good exactly.

 

[SKY]

The rear lights are what we are getting. The front if you compare the spy shots are more edgier at the bonnet line and base.

Kidneys are what we are getting as well?

 

[azeez samara]

Thank god that the front lights will be different from the ones on the m8 gte

 

[Cabasse0]

The rear lights are what we are getting. The front if you compare the spy shots are more edgier at the bonnet line and base.

It seems that those rear lights design should be new BMW benchmark : X4, Z4