More power than the M5CS… 30 year ago.
BMW revealed the M8 lineup, which was mildly redesigned at the beginning of January. They decided to make it public at the 2022 Amelia Concours d’Elegance. The Bavarians also brought back the rare M8 E31 prototype, a nod to the past. The stunning coupe, which was a one-off, rated 640 horsepower and took the 850 CSi up to a new level. This is even more than the HTML5 CS, which was BMW’s most powerful production vehicle ever.
Our friends atmBLOG We had a chat to Ben Voss, BMW Classic, about the M8 E31. After being kept secret for over 20 years, the prototype was finally discovered in 2010. It has not been seen in public since. The red-hued Bimmer unicorn conceals a larger V12 engine that has a 6.0-liter displacement. The 850 CSi’s 5.6-liter capacity had 265 horsepower.
The unique M8 was much more than just a naturally aspirated engine. It also made extensive use of lightweight glass-reinforced polymers. The intake was completely made of carbon fiber. The spokes of the wheel have a carbon fiber covering, while the 17-inch wheels are made from alloy. The radiators on the rear fenders are positioned onto the roof and have hoses that extend to the roof. This allows you to hear coolant flow above your head.
The interior was fully wrapped in Alcantara and went through many changes as BMW removed most of the creature comforts. To make space for three dials, and manual climate control, the dashboard was stripped of the 850 CSi’s switchgear. The rear seats were also removed and the front seats were replaced with bucket seats with harnesses. It still had a 6-speed manual gearbox.
The M8 E31 prototype, which was built in 1981, is still one of the fastest NA cars. It can reach speeds over 186 mph (30 km/h) and is capable of achieving more than 300 km/h. BMW brought the car to life a few years back and Ben Voss said that the V12’s powerful engine sounds raw and mechanical. It must be fun to drive the car with 650 Nm (478 Lb-ft), of torque to the rear wheels, in a car that is less than 1,450 kg (3,197 lbs).