With the BMW M8 unveiled just recently, the world can now marvel at some brand new fast Coupe and Cabriolet models out of Bavaria. King among them is the Competition version, which boasts 616 HP (625 PS) and the same 553 lb-ft (750 Nm) of torque as the regular M8.
But how does it compare to the old M6 with the Competition Package? That, too, is powered by a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 that’s good for 592 HP (600 PS) and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque. Is this then a fair fight? Let’s discuss.
Generation gap
If these two cars were smartphones, the new M8 Competition would be the equivalent of a modern day iPhone X flagship, rocking coveted tech such as face unlock, an ultra-high res display and the latest software. The M6 however is more like that flagship from a few years back, which still possesses some impressive hardware, but isn’t as snazzy.
Cell phone analogies aside, the 8-Series offers you BMW’s latest design language and can easily be credited with having sharper and more elegant styling than the F12 6-Series. Also, in Competition guise, the M8 has no shortage of carbon fiber aero elements, not to mention a superior chassis and an advanced all-wheel drive system, in which drivers can choose to deactivate the Dynamic Stability Control system and engage 2WD mode, sending power to just the rear wheels.
But what about straight line performance, you might ask. Well, you already saw the power figures, which give the M8 Competition a slight edge, but when you factor in the all-wheel drive system and newer overall tech, it’s clear that there’s only one way this duel could end.
The old M6 Coupe Competition Package is capable of hitting 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.9 seconds, making it 0.3 seconds quicker than the stock M6. However, the M8 Competition is in a different league, as it can accelerate you to the same mark in just 3.3 seconds if you opt for the Coupe, or 3.4 if you’d rather have the Convertible.
The final blow
If you’re still on the fence, then consider all the superior driver assistance and convenience features you get in the M8 as opposed to an older-generation M6. In fact, the likes of the Head-up Display, Driving Assistant, Parking Assistant and the BMW Live Cockpit Professional are all standard on the new model.
The only downside as far as we’re concerned is the price tag, with the M8 Coupe starting at $133,000 in the U.S., rising to $146,000 for the Competition. Meanwhile, you can get a used M6 Competition Package for less than half that; but that’s a completely different story and it would be comparing apples to iPhone 8s oranges.