First look: BMW unleashes reborn 8 Series Coupe

BMW has unleashed its reborn 8 Series Coupe in production form, with the luxury model to lob in Europe from November with petrol and diesel power, but the Australian line-up and timing are yet to be confirmed.

 

The 8 Series Coupe will be offered overseas in 840d and M850i guises from launch, while the yet-to-be-revealed M8 flagship has already been locked in for next year. Several other variants could also be in the works alongside the expected Convertible and Gran Coupe body styles.

 

Speaking to GoAuto, BMW Group Australia product communications manager Adam Davis said that “the local product, specification and line-up are all still to be determined as production start is still a little while away yet”.

 

However, it appears likely that Australia will be offered the petrol-powered M850i and M8 pair given the market’s penchant for performance models, but the diesel 840d’s prospects are less clear.

 

The M850i is motivated by a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine that produces 390kW of power from 5500 to 6000rpm and 750Nm from 1800 to 4600rpm. A more potent version of this unit is tipped to move the M8.

 

Conversely, the 840d makes do with a 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder engine that develops 235kW at 4400rpm and 680Nm from 1750 to 2250rpm.

 

Both variants exclusively send their outputs to the ground via an eight-speed torque-convertor automatic transmission and the German car-maker’s rear-biased xDrive all-wheel-drive system. The M850i also picks up a rear-axle differential lock.

 

As a result, the 1890kg M850i can sprint from standstill to 100km/h in 3.7 seconds, while the 1830kg 840d completes the triple-digit run in 4.9s. Both have an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.

 

Claimed fuel consumption on the combined cycle test is 10.0-10.5 litres per 100 kilometres for the M850i and 5.9-6.2L/100km for the 840d, while carbon dioxide emissions have been tested at 228-240 grams per kilometres and 154-164g/km respectively.

 

Compared to the Concept 8 Series shown at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in May last year, the production model remains faithful to the design, although some elements have been toned down.

 

As with other BMW models, the 8 Series will be offered with several styling and equipment packages, including M Sport and M Technic Sport for the 840d. A lightweight carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic roof will be optionally available on a non-M model for the first time.

 

Inside, the leather-trimmed interior is also surprisingly reminiscent of the show car’s, with several parts of the next-generation look shared with the recently-detailed fourth-generation X5 large SUV.

 

Key highlights include the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which both run the new BMW Operating System 7.0, plus a 16 per cent larger head-up display.

 

Measuring in at 4843-4851mm long, 1902mm wide and 1341-1346mm tall with a 2822mm wheelbase, the four-seat 8 Series Coupe offers 420L of cargo capacity with the 50/50 split-fold second row upright.

 

The 8 Series Coupe’s suspension set-up consists of a double-wishbone front and five-link rear axles with adaptive dampers, while the electrically power-assisted steering is enhanced by standard rear-axle steering, dubbed Integral Active Steering. An active roll stabilisation system will be optional on the M850i.

 

Meanwhile, braking is handled by ventilated discs with four-piston fixed callipers up front and single-pot floating stoppers at the rear.

 

Five driving modes – including Adaptive, ECO Pro, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ – allow the driver to alter engine, transmission, steering and suspension settings while on the move.

 

Advanced driver-assist systems extend to low-speed autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, steering assist, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic alert, park assist and surround-view cameras.

 

When the 8 Series Coupe hits showrooms, it will go toe to toe with one key rival, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe. The new model will make its international debut this weekend at the annual 24-hour race in Le Mans, France.

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