The BMW 8 Series Coupe opens a new chapter in the German luxury car manufacturer’s illustrious history of extraordinary sports cars…
The presentation of the new BMW 8 Series Coupe adds a brand new chapter to the Bavarian premium carmaker’s long history of sensational sports cars – and gets its current model offensive in the luxury segment off to a particularly dynamic start. The BMW 8 Series Coupe is a dream car boasting outstanding performance, emotion-stirring design, state-of-the-art luxury and exceptionally advanced equipment features when it comes to display and control technology, driver assistance and connectivity. The primary development objective for the BMW 8 Series Coupe was thrilling driving dynamics. The body, powertrain and suspension were consistently honed to achieve the supreme agility, precision and poise expected of a topclass sports car. In the process, remarkably powerful engines were combined with the BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system and BMW EfficientLightweight design measures.
The new model came through its baptism of fire in the guise of the BMW M8 GTE at the FIA WEC endurance races and in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IWSC) held in North America. The production car now makes it possible to experience outstandingly dynamic performance in an exceedingly luxurious setting. Heading the model range is the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe (fuel consumption combined: 10.5 – 10.0 l/100 km [26.9 – 28.3 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined: 240 – 228 g/km*), which is powered by a newly developed 390 kW/530 hp V8 petrol engine. This BMW M Performance model will be launched in November 2018 together with the BMW 840d xDrive Coupe (fuel consumption combined: 6.2 – 5.9 l/100 km [45.6 – 47.9 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined: 164 – 154 g/km*) featuring an extraordinarily potent sixcylinder in-line diesel unit with 235 kW/320 hp.
The exterior design of the BMW 8 Series Coupe exudes a very modern form of sporting appeal, beautifully blended with an air of exclusiveness and sensual allure. The production model lives up to all the expectations engendered by the BMW Concept 8 Series. Its unique aura is the result of a new styling language focusing on clarity, modernity and emotional engagement. The expressive surface design of the exterior bodyshell emphasises the dynamic character of the new BMW 8 Series Coupe with the all-new BMW 8 Series Coupe.
The expansive surfaces of the car are structured using pared-down, crisp character lines. The car’s low-slung design, an elongated silhouette with a slim window graphic and a roofline flowing elegantly into the rear with distinctive “double-bubble” contouring, a long wheelbase and a wide track are the defining elements of the BMW 8 Series Coupe’s proportions. With exterior dimensions of 4,843 mm in length, 1,902 mm in width, 1,341 mm in height and a wheelbase of 2,822 mm, the two-door car adopts an extremely powerful stance on the road.
The sports car’s immense drive power is visualised to stunning effect by the elaborate, jutting design of the front apron, the large air intakes – which assume an even more imposing appearance on the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe and in conjunction with the M Sport package – and the precise contours of the bonnet. The low-down BMW kidney grille is hexagonal in shape, with its elements framed by a single-piece surround. The LED headlights are the slimmest of any BMW model to date.
Whilst the surfaces curve inwards on the far side of the front wheels, they flare outwards again in powerful fashion in the vicinity of the rear wheels. This combines with the strikingly tapered glasshouse to create a muscular shoulderline. At the rear, the interplay of horizontal and diagonal lines emphasises the car’s width and low centre of gravity. The LED taillights add to this effect by extending deep into the flanks. Precise details optimise aerodynamics and weight. An almost fully sealed underbody, active air flap control and Air Curtains including Air Breathers help to reduce the aerodynamic drag of the new BMW 8 Series Coupe’s streamlined body. Narrow exterior mirror bases also help smooth the airflow.
The roof of the new BMW 8 Series Coupe takes a leaf from the book of traditional sports car design by featuring a central cutout that recalls the “double-bubble” styling of classic racing cars. This distinctive contouring also graces the optional carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) roof, which is available for the first time on a series-production model from the core BMW brand and lowers the car’s centre of gravity even further. The air intake bars, exterior mirror caps, rear spoiler and rear diffuser of the optional Carbon package are likewise all made from CFRP.
The inclusion of the BMW Operating System 7.0 display and control concept as standard on the new BMW 8 Series Coupe makes sure the driver is supplied with the right information at the right time. Customisable and personalised displays can be called up in both the instrument cluster and the 10.25-inch Control Display. A flat menu structure that has been optimised for touch control permits fast access to all settings and functions. The situation based content includes visualising lateral acceleration during high-speed cornering. To enable multimodal interaction, the driver has a choice of using the buttons on the steering wheel, the iDrive Controller, the touch display, voice control or BMW gesture control.
The BMW Live Cockpit Professional comes as standard and comprises a fully digital instrument cluster with a 12.3-inch display, in the centre of which a specific section of the navigation map can be shown, for example. Thanks to the consistent design of the graphics, it forms a harmonious display cluster together with the Control Display. The further improved BMW Head-Up Display can also be found on the list of standard equipment and features a larger projection area, new content and optimised graphics.
The BMW Connected personal mobility assistant is available for seamless connectivity between the vehicle and digital devices. The digital services BMW Media Information 06/2018 Page 7 available for use in the new BMW 8 Series Coupe include hazard warnings obtained from interconnectivity with other BMW vehicles, “over-the-air” software upgrading, the integration of Microsoft Office 365 and Skype for Business, as well as the BMW Digital Key, which allows customers to unlock the vehicle and start the engine using a smartphone.
