BMW Continues Teasing the Crap Out of Returning 8 Series, Sets Date for Debut
BMW is still banging the drum for the upcoming 8 Series, which is understandable. Resurrecting the flagship coupe is big news for the brand and the model has been hotly anticipated since the concept vehicle appeared at 2017’s Concours d’Elegance in Pebble Beach. Unfortunately, camouflaged prototypes (below) show the pre-production version hosting some watered-down styling. While slightly disappointing, it’s understandable that BMW would stray from the extravagant folds of the concept car.
This week, the company gave us our best look to date of the returning model, along with an announcement stating the automaker will return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time since 2011 — where it plans to premiere the 8 Series coupe. We already have a pretty good idea of what to expect.
On June 15th, as the M8 GTE preps for the race, the road-legal M850i XDrive makes its first public appearance. Based on teaser shots, the production model looks identical to the gently disguised test mules paraded by the brand. Despite being partially obscured by the race car and some blurring, the 8 Series’ long nose and aggressively swept-back tail remain visible.
Said to house a 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 with 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, the M850i XDrive mates its beefed-up motor to an eight-speed automatic. Meanwhile, standard adaptive suspension, torque vectoring, and four-wheel steering should help to keep the all-wheel drive coupe competent in the corners.
The formula should make for an exquisite grand tourer, but the performance darling will inevitably be the M8, slated for a later unveiling — as well as sedan and convertible bodystyles.
This doesn’t mean the 850i won’t be sensational. The initial specs look highly promising and just the sound of the prototype’s V8 was enough to make many of us salivate. We just hope the looks aren’t as humdrum as they seem in the teasers. Maybe the old 8 Series’ flip-up headlights and wedge design set the bar too high, but the new 8 Series doesn’t seem like it will stand out against the rest of the brand’s lineup in the same manner as the old car.
[Images: BMW]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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Just another modern BMyaWn.
I nearly bought one of the old ones. Glad I didn't.