Fiery BMW M8 here early 2020

BMW Australia has announced local specifications for the BMW M8 Competition, the car the manufacturer claims to be its fastest production model ever to hit the road.

The scheduled launch of the high-performance M8 is the culmination of a boost for the 8 Series range, beginning with the introduction of the Gran Coupe from next month.

BMW is yet to announce Australian pricing for the M8, but rumour has it that buyers will need to count on at least $300,000 as a starting point.

While the M8 is available in other markets with a 441kW V8, BMW Australia will offer buyers nothing less than the full-house Competition model, with 460kW on tap from the turbocharged 4.4-litre V8. Like the standard M8 sold elsewhere, the torque figure remains 750Nm.

BMW won't sell the M8 convertible here, as it has not been engineered for right-hand drive with the forced-induction V8 all-wheel drive powertrain.

Identifying features of the new M8 include black chrome finish for the grille and the front quarter panel 'gills', high-gloss black for mirror caps and rear spoiler, and M Sport exhaust, rear apron and 'M8 Competition' badging in black.

Inside, the M8 comes with M Sport seats, each featuring an illuminating M8 badge, M-specific infotainment display screens, M mode buttons on the steering wheel and M mode set-up button in the centre console.

Mechanically, the BMW M8 Competition's power of 460kW peaks at 6000rpm, and the 750Nm torque figure plateaus across a range of engine speeds from 1800 to 5800rpm. BMW claims a 0-100km/h time of 3.2 seconds and a combined-cycle fuel consumption figure of 10.6L/100km.

The engine is coupled to a ZF eight-speed automatic that drives through all four wheels via an 'Active M' differential for programmable torque split for various driving modes, including rear-biased all-wheel drive.

Unlike other 8 Series models, the M8 doesn't get the rear-wheel steer facility, but does come with adaptive M suspension all round, and ceramic brakes (six-piston calipers at the front). BMW specifies 20-inch alloys for the M8 Competition – the standard car runs on 19-inch wheels.