In 2019, BMW reintroduced its 8 Series super-luxury coupe and convertible. For 2020, it introduces the performance version, the M8.

The M8 comes as both a hardtop coupe and a soft-top convertible. Both body styles ramp up the regular 8 Series’s aggressive design with larger front intakes, front and rear aerodynamic effects, and high-gloss black trim in place of chrome. The convertible’s top retracts in just 15 seconds at speeds of up to 30 mph. Inside, you can distinguish an M8 by its red accents on the steering wheel, start-stop button, and gear selector. An available M Carbon package replaces most of the black exterior trim with carbon fiber components.

The base M8 comes with a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 capable of 600 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. The M8 Competition bumps that up to 617 hp. With either version, you get an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters that incorporates navigation data into its shift logic. The standard all-wheel-drive (AWD) system features a mode that sends all power to the rear wheels unless you start to lose traction, giving you the fun of a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) sports car with added security. An optional carbon ceramic brake package is also available. With all that, the quickest M8 races to 60 mph in 3 seconds flat and on to a top speed of 189 mph.

BMW gives the M8 an impressive list of standard features, including staggered 20-inch wheels, adaptive LED headlights, automatic high beams, heated and cooled leather seats, remote engine start, keyless access, keyless start, a Harman Kardon stereo system, satellite radio, a 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster, wireless-device charging, a WiFi hotspot, and a 12.3-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay. Coupe versions get a weight-saving carbon-fiber roof panel. The M8 Competition adds unique two-tone 20-inch wheels, a sport exhaust system, and M seat belts.

Even though the M8 is a true performance car, it still keeps safety in mind. Forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking come standard while blind-spot monitoring, a parking assistant, a surround-view camera, and rear cross-traffic alert are part of an optional package. The driving-assistance package adds a better parking assistant, a camera-recording function, and a surround-view 3D camera system. Other options include adaptive cruise control with traffic crawl, lane-keeping assist, and evasion assist. The Insurance Institute for Highway and Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) haven't crash-tested the 8 Series or the M8, but that’s not unusual for cars in this category and price range.

The all-new BMW M8, competing with Mercedes-Benz's AMG variants, provides heaps of fun and performance capability without asking you to sacrifice any luxury or comfort.