2021 BMW M8 GTS prototype spied testing at the Nurburgring
Is BMW planning an M8 GTS? This track-ready prototype suggests something special is on its way.
A prototype 2021 BMW M8 vehicle has been spotted testing at the Nurburgring, wearing track-oriented parts and a curious grille.
Looking at the new additions fitted to the M8, it's possible BMW could be about to introduce a flagship GTS variant of the big coupe.
Some media outlets are suggesting this could be a 2022 BMW M8 CSL mule, but a source within BMW has downplayed the idea, suggesting to Drive the vehicle could be a safety car prototype.
BMW first introduced the M8 Safety Car for the 2019 MotoGP season, where it has continued to operate alongside appearances from other models from within the BMW M stable.
The mule photographed by our partners in Germany has air intake vents in the rear quarter glass, as well as a high-visibility rain light mounted in the centre of the rear diffuser – as mandated by the FIA for racing vehicles.
However, the M8 prototype spied at Germany's Nurburgring circuit does have some notable differences, providing clues that this could be something more than a mere safety car – even potentially a safety car version of a future road-going model.
While the current M8 Safety Car uses a large swan-neck rear wing borrowed from the M8 GTE racing car, this prototype uses a much smaller rear wing, with similarities to the one fitted to the previous-generation BMW M4 GTS. Frosted black tail-lights also point to something special.
Perhaps more notable, at the front end, a new set of dished kidney grilles with bright orange paintwork fading to black gives the greatest indication this is a vehicle destined for showrooms – albeit in very limited numbers.
If the German car maker does offer a GTS version of the M8, expect to see a healthy power bump over the current model's 460kW and 750Nm, produced from its 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8.
Considering the lack of significant camouflage on the vehicle, it's likely we'll see the vehicle make its debut in the coming months.