BMW has announced a move to ‘reintroduce’ a badge that never really existed in the first place, the M8.

Parallel with the introduction of the new 8 Series comes the modern version of what was once intended to be Munich’s fastest big-boy.

2018 BMW M8 prototype side
2018 BMW M8 prototype rear

“The conception and development of the standard BMW 8 Series and the M model run in parallel,” says M Division president Frank van Meel.

2018 BMW M8 prototype three quarter

“It all flows into a driving experience that bears the familiar BMW M hallmarks and satisfies our customers’ most exacting requirements.”

2018 BMW M8 prototype mirror

BMW Motorsport director Jens Marquardt says they won’t reveal images yet, but development is in full swing.

2018 BMW M8 prototype driving side

“We are planning an initial roll-out for the first half of this year and are looking at giving the car its race debut in the Daytona 24 Hours in January 2018.”