Four-door coupe is among the automotive industry’s numerous contradictory terms. But since 2005 when the idea of a sloping roofline on a four-door sedan returned after a several-decade hiatus, it’s become a thing.
Mercedes-Benz featured the idea in its C class; BMW is now participating with its 2020 BMW M8 Gran Coupe.
Key Takeaways
- 600 to 617 hp from a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8: The standard M8 Gran Coupe makes 600 hp; the Competition trim bumps to 617 hp. Both produce 553 lb-ft of torque and reach 60 mph in 3.1 seconds.
- Base MSRP of $130,000 climbs to $154,295 as-tested: Carbon ceramic brakes ($8,150), Bowers & Wilkins audio ($3,440), and Merlino leather ($3,500) drive the price skyward.
- Four-door sedan body makes performance practical: More headroom, legroom, and shoulder room than the two-door M8 coupe — two adults can sit comfortably in the rear.
- 15/21 mpg adds a gas-guzzler tax to the sticker: The 20.1-gallon tank delivers roughly 342 miles of range, so a 500-mile trip means at least one fuel stop.
- Rolling tech demonstration: Traffic-adaptive cruise with stop-and-go, night vision with pedestrian detection, semi-automated steering, and Almandin Brown II paint that shifts color in sunlight.
The criticism launched at Porsche several years ago over its four-door Panamera has waned. And it’s likely more BMW enthusiasts seeking to travel in an M8 performance machine would prefer as many as three passengers, not just one.
With its additional M8 siblings (the high-performance version of the 8 Series), the Gran Coupe is available in two trims: standard and high-performance competition. Both choices have turbocharged 4.4-liter, V8 engines mated with eight-speed automatic transmissions. The standard trim has 600 horsepower; the competition option has 617 horsepower, and both have 553 lb-ft of torque. Acceleration from 0-to-60 miles per hour occurs in 3.1 seconds.
2020 BMW M8 Gran Coupe: It’s pricey
As another industry oddity among many manufacturers, the M8 Gran Coupe is marketed with five-passenger seating. But it’s better designed for four occupants. Two adults can sit in the back seat in relative comfort. The Gran Coupe also has more headroom, legroom and shoulder room than the original M8, two-door coupe.With a base MSRP price of $130,000, the new M8 is chock-full of high-end standard features, some worthy, some included as frill.
Good standard stuff includes a 10.25-inch central infotainment display and a 16-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system. (The Bowers & Wilkins system is a $3,440 upgrade.) The lightweight carbon-fiber roof is handsome and attracts a lot of attention. An adaptive suspension and sports seats distance the M8 Gran Coupe from any sedan leanings. Carbon ceramic brakes cost ($8,150).
And there’s a bunch more: 20-inch wheels with performance tires, heated front seats and steering wheel, four-zone automatic climate control, LED headlights and leather upholstery, wireless Apple CarPlay integration and a frontal collision mitigation system. But are heated armrests necessary?
Luxury cars don’t always offer more in some areas than down-to-earth-priced sedans. But BMW like Mercedes-Benz and others does it better. Safety and driving options shine: Traffic-adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, lane-keeping assist, semi-automated steering for certain roads and conditions, night vision with pedestrian detection and carbon-ceramic brakes.
Throughout its long tenure, BMW has built its reputation on the open road. The M8 Grand Coupe expands the tradition. It’s a long-hauler with superior suspension, freeway confidence and performance savvy to negotiate whatever is presented.
But there’s a potential issue. The 2020 BMW M8 Gran Coupe has a 20.1-gallon gas tank and an estimated range of 342 miles. Its fuel economy values are 15 miles per gallon city driving, 21 mpg on the highway. There are far worse ways to take a 500-mile trek. The new BMW is fast and plush, a car perfect for cruising zen. But the bliss will be interrupted by too many refuels, and the car’s price includes a gas-guzzler tax.
The new BMW has a slew of exterior color choices, the most polarizing of which may be its Almandin Brown II Metallic paint. It changes color, a deep brown-near purple in the sun, a don’t-mess-with-me-black in the shade. The Merlino leather seating, a $3,500 option, offers further upscale pizzazz.
One observer looked at the new coupe in a parking lot and said: “Great car. It’s elegant. I wouldn’t drive it unless I was wearing a tailor-made suit.”
Great car? Yes. Elegant? No. But the 2020 BMW M8 Gran Coupe available for $154,295, a hefty tally. Owners may dress as they wish.
What We Like
- 600-hp (617 in Competition trim) twin-turbo V8 delivers 3.1-second 0-60
- Gran Coupe body adds genuine rear-seat space versus two-door M8
- Harmon Kardon 16-speaker audio standard (Bowers & Wilkins optional)
- Carbon-fiber roof reduces weight and draws attention
- Night vision with pedestrian detection among the most advanced ADAS available
What We Don’t
- Base price of $130,000 escalates to $154,295 as-tested
- 15/21 mpg fuel economy and gas-guzzler tax
- 20.1-gallon tank limits long-distance range to around 342 miles
- Heated armrests are a questionable use of option-list space
- Five-passenger marketing overstates — best suited to four
Facts & Figures: 2020 BMW M8 Gran Coupe
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 |
| Horsepower | 600 (617 in Competition trim) |
| Torque | 553 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed Automatic |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive (xDrive) |
| Fuel Economy | 15 city / 21 hwy / 17 combined mpg |
| Fuel Tank | 20.1 gallons |
| Fuel Type | Premium Gasoline |
| Acceleration | 0-60 mph, 3.1 seconds |
| Driving Range | ~342 miles (estimated) |
| Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price | $130,000 |
| Price As Tested | $154,295 |
How It Compares
| Vehicle | Starting Price |
|---|---|
| 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4-Door | $159,000 |
| 2020 Porsche Panamera Turbo | $156,000 |
| 2020 Audi RS7 | $114,000 |
| 2020 Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo | $144,990 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast is the 2020 BMW M8 Gran Coupe?
The M8 Gran Coupe accelerates from 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds. It uses a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 producing 600 hp (617 hp in Competition trim) and 553 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic and xDrive all-wheel drive.
How much does the 2020 BMW M8 Gran Coupe cost?
Base MSRP is $130,000. With options including carbon ceramic brakes ($8,150), Bowers & Wilkins audio ($3,440), and Merlino leather ($3,500), the as-tested price reaches $154,295.
What is the fuel economy of the 2020 BMW M8 Gran Coupe?
EPA ratings are 15 mpg city, 21 mpg highway, and 17 mpg combined on premium gasoline. The 20.1-gallon tank provides an estimated 342 miles of driving range, and the vehicle is subject to a gas-guzzler tax.
How does the M8 Gran Coupe differ from the M8 Coupe?
The Gran Coupe is a four-door with significantly more headroom, legroom, and shoulder room than the two-door M8 coupe. Rear passengers can sit in relative comfort, while the two-door M8 is better suited to front occupants only.
Is the M8 Gran Coupe available in a Competition trim?
Yes. The standard M8 Gran Coupe produces 600 hp; the M8 Gran Coupe Competition bumps output to 617 hp. Both trims share the same twin-turbo V8, eight-speed automatic, and all-wheel drive.
What standard technology does the 2020 BMW M8 Gran Coupe include?
Standard tech includes a 10.25-inch infotainment display, wireless Apple CarPlay, Harmon Kardon 16-speaker audio, LED headlights, traffic-adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane-keeping assist, semi-automated steering, and frontal collision mitigation. Night vision with pedestrian detection is available.
Article Last Updated: April 16, 2026.
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.