New BMW M8 Competition leaks out ahead of 2019 unveiling

This is our first glimpse at the production BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe

...as well as its convertible sibling

The coupe (pictured) has already been shown, but the other two body variants come later

The three cars complete the lineup left by the now departed 6 Series...

...which was replaced solely by the 6 Series Gran Turismo

The four-door 8 Series Gran Coupe is expected to arrive late next year.

BMW is testing its M8 performance model at the Nürburgring

Engineers are driving both the coupé and convertible on circuit

Both cars have been spotted in recent weeks

Showing that they'll share near-identical designs

Only the roof and bootlid is unique to the coupé

Power will come from BMW's twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8

Producing around 600bhp

An all-wheel drive model with heavy technical relation to the M5 is expected

This should enable rapid straight-line perforamance

BMW's two M8 models will later be joined by a third

It was previewed by a concept at the Geneva motor show

The M8 range will eventually include a coupé, convertible and Gran Coupé

BMW revealed a new concept for its upcoming M8 at the Geneva motor show

The concept is a four-door variant

It previews a Gran Coupé model that will be more practical than the regular coupé

It's expected to be launched alongside its two-door sibling in 2019

As spy pictures show, the M8 is also due in convertible form

It will use a folding soft-top, as shown by development cars

The M8 will be the M division's flagship and its most powerful model

It will use the twin-turbocharged V8 engine of the M5…

…but send around 600bhp to all four wheels

Much of the car's running gear will be shared with the M5…

…meaning the M8 should flaunt similar levels of dynamic sparkle

BMW's all-wheel drive system has been engineered with a rear bias…

…in order to retain most of the adjustability of a rear-wheel drive set-up

All-wheel drive is thought to be essential in this section of the performance car segment…

…because of its traction-boosting ability and rapid off-the-line launch times