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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.

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Ben Zachariah

Ben Zachariah is an experienced writer and motoring journalist from Melbourne, having worked in the automotive industry for more than two decades. Ben began writing professionally more than 15 years ago and was previously an interstate truck driver. He completed his MBA in Finance in early 2021 and is considered an expert on classic car investment.

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