BMW unveiled their new concept 8 Series at the 2017 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy. Set for release in 2018, the concept 8 Series combines the agility of a sportscar with the timeless style and elegance that we have come to expect from the BMW.
“The number 8 has always represented the pinnacle of sports performance and exclusivity at BMW,” said Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG Harald Krüger. “The forthcoming BMW 8 Series Coupe will demonstrate that razor-sharp dynamics and modern luxury can go hand-in-hand.”
The new BMW 8 Series is, in essence, a coupé version of the 7 Series, albeit with much more dramatic looks. Its shark-like silhouette suggests danger and speed, whilst still being unmistakably BMW. The car itself consists of a long bonnet and gently sloping rear sitting on 21 inch BMW alloy wheels featuring a sporty multi-spoke design, with BMW’s trademark front kidney grilles even more prominent than usual. Another sporty addition is the striking upward sweep of the concept’s trailing edge, which gives a nice flourish to the car’s silhouette. However, there are elements from the smaller 6 Series coupé and the futuristic i8 sports car to be seen in the design. So far, BMW has not released dimensions of the car, but the fact that it’s inspired by the 7 Series suggests that interior space for both passengers and luggage will be good.
Comfort and style are once again at the heart of the interior design, as the exclusive Sport seats are made from the finest Dark Brown and Fjord White Merino leather. The seats are slim in design, have a carbon-fibre shell providing the basic structure, and the contrast of aluminium and dark leather give a sleek appearance to the 8 Series.
Based on knowledge of the 7 Series, we can also speculate which engine powers will be bestowed in the 8 Series. It’s likely that up to three petrol options will be offered; the 840i, 850i and M860i. The most powerful of those, the M860i, will produce 601 bhp and get the car to 62mph from a standing start in around 3.7sec.
One feature that is confirmed is BMW’s iDrive infotainment system, likely presented using the same 10.2in display and graphics found in the latest 5 Series, which is the most intuitive infotainment set up on the market so far. Even when driving in familiar routes, the sat-nav system in the iDrive is the best co-pilot you could have, as its traffic updates are invaluable for leading you away from congestion. The system is controlled by a wheel, a collection of buttons, fast keys and a touchpad. Fast keys can be programmed with functions you use the most, such as tuning into your favourite radio station, or finding the quickest route to work.
So, the BMW 8-Series then: if it lives up to its promise, and we can afford it’s no-doubt hefty price tag, we’ll be in for a treat, when it’s finally released.