More affordable Gran Coupe joins BMW 8 Series range

BMW Group Australia will add a third body style to its reborn 8 Series line-up in the fourth quarter this year, with two variants of the four-door Gran Coupe to be on offer.

Just like its two-door coupe and convertible siblings, the petrol-only Gran Coupe will be available in entry-level 840i and flagship M850i forms, priced from $199,900 and $272,900 plus on-road costs respectively.

As such, the four-door Gran Coupe is the most affordable body style in the 8 Series range, undercutting the two-door coupe by $3000, while the 840i and M850i are $17,000 and $12,000 dearer respectively when had in convertible guise.

The rear-wheel-drive 840i is motivated by a 3.0-litre single-turbo inline six-cylinder engine that produces 250kW of power and 500Nm of torque, while the all-wheel-drive M850i ups the ante with a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 that punches out 390kW and 750Nm.

Both variants are mated to an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission (with paddle-shifters), with the 840i sprinting from standstill to 100km/h in 5.2 seconds in Gran Coupe form, while its M850i counterpart blitzes the triple-digit run in 3.9s. Both marks are 0.2s slower than the regular coupes.

Standard equipment in the 840i includes rear-wheel steering, Adaptive M Suspension, an M Sport differential, the M Sport package, BMW Laserlight headlights, bi-colour 20-inch alloy wheels with a Y-spoke design, run-flat tyres, M Sport brakes (374mm front discs), a panoramic sunroof, soft-close doors and a hands-free power-operated tailgate.

Inside, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with gesture control, a 16-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a windshield-projected head-up display, wireless smartphone charging, an M steering wheel, multifunctional front seats with heating and ventilation, power-operated roller sunblinds, ambient lighting and extended Merino leather upholstery feature.

Advanced driver-assist systems extend to autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep and steering assist, blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, park assist and front and rear parking sensors.

The M850i adds Adaptive M Suspension Professional with Active Roll Stabilisation, Cerium Grey 20-inch alloy wheels with a Y-spoke design, performance tyres, M Sport brakes (395mm front discs), CraftedClarity cut-glass interior elements, night vision with pedestrian detection and tyre pressure monitoring.

An M Carbon Exterior package is optional, with it bundling in carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) M Performance accessories, including air curtains, side-mirror caps and tailpipe finishers.

As reported, the Gran Coupe’s wheelbase is 201mm longer than that of its two-door siblings, at 3023mm, measuring in at 5082mm long (+231mm), 1932mm wide (+30mm) and 1407mm tall (+61mm) overall.

This extra size enables the fitment of two extra doors and increases both rear legroom and headroom, while cargo capacity increases by 20L to 440L, although more storage space can be liberated by stowing the 40/20/20 split-fold bench that is comprised of two bucket-style seats and middle bump for a third occupant in emergency situations.

“Breathtaking design, unparalleled ride quality and exemplary sporting performance are all qualities showcased in the latest BMW 8 Series,” said BMW Group Australia chief executive Vikram Pawah.

“We are excited to expand the range with the first-ever BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe, which combines engaging dynamic qualities and innovative driver assistance while also delivering enhanced practicality for everyday use.

“It is the only model in its segment to be derived directly from a two-door sportscar, making the 8 Series Gran Coupe the perfect blend of luxury and performance.”

In its first three months on sale locally, 53 examples of the 8 Series have been sold, but the addition of the more practical Gran Coupe body style will likely expand its appeal.

2019 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs