BMW plans M8 supercar

BMW is planning a new mid-engined supercar to take on the might of Ferrari.

Previously known as the M1, the all-new 450kW supercar is now called the M8 internally, with BMW tipping it to be the brand’s new performance flagship.

Expected to be significantly lighter than rivals from Ferrari, Audi and Lamborghini, the M8 is being built to celebrate BMW’s 100th anniversary in 2016.

Details remain sketchy, but BMW’s M division has revealed the M8 will use a 450kW twin-turbo V8 and utilise technology from the i8 plug-in hybrid due in 2014.

That means exotic materials like carbonfibre and aluminium, with the M8 tipped to charge from 0-100km/h in around 3.0 seconds and sail to a top speed of 320km/h.