The BMW X8 topic is back again. BMW applied for trademarks already on variations of the name and as we reported before, the car is just a couple of years away. Furthermore, the new model will get a bespoke M version which is supposed to bring an insane amount of power.
The jury is still out on the actual number of ponies in the BMW X8 M – we’ve heard anywhere fro 700 to around 750 hp, thanks to a hybrid setup.
Car Magazine published a report (which is unclear whether it’s based on new or previous information) stating that the new X8 M will have incredible specs. The car is being developed under the ‘Project Rockstar’ codename and is slated to get a new iteration of the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 S63 engine which is going to be hybridized.
This goes along with our earlier report that BMW is working on a new V8 that will get some “electric help”. This report also plays well with statements made by BMW M CEO, Markus Flasch a while back, saying hybridization of M models is just a matter of time.
“I can assure you we’re working on electrification… I’ve driven petrol-electric vehicles from the M team. I’ve driven plug-in hybrids from the M team,” said Flasch. “I can assure you we’re working on electrification… I’ve driven petrol-electric vehicles from the M team. I’ve driven plug-in hybrids from the M team,” he added in an older interview. Those two statement point directly to a large SUV with copious amounts of power.
How much power is yet to be determined, but the report from Car says the new X8 M could get 750 HP and 737 lb-ft of torque which are ridiculously high numbers that would make the new car the most powerful BMW ever made.
That, in turn, would lead to a high price tag, the BMW X8 and the X8 M likely becoming the most expensive car in the BMW line-up. This would also fit in the plans the company announced a while back, aiming to sell more high-margin models to keep their profitability up.
