The return of the range-topping BMW 8 Series->ke2106 may still be part of BMW's future, but company officials are trying to quell growing rumors that it's moving forward with development faster than it actually is.

So in an attempt to finally put to rest the fate of the 8-Series, BMW R&D chief Herbert Diess told Autocar that a decision regarding the top-end coupe's future is still a long ways away. Take it as good news or bad news but the way the Pininfarina-designed Gran Lusso Concept was received when it was unveiled a few months ago seems to suggest that the German automaker is trying to cover all of its bases before making any decisions. And to be honest, that's the prudent way to go about it, considering the number of new models that BMW has in the pipeline.

Talking about a car that could still be nixed by BMW execs will take time away from actually developing, building, and promoting its other new models.

But rest assured, BMW still has the the return of the 8 Series in its mind. It's just not rushing to make any decisions on it. “The Gran Lusso concept was very well received,” Diess told Autocar. “We’re looking into the possibility of production, but a decision is still a way off.”

We're all pining to see this rumor turn into reality, but we don't want to get ahead of ourselves just yet. That's what BMW is at least telling us and we'd be wise to listen for now.

Autocar

Click past the jump to read about the BMW Gran Lusso Concept by PIninfarina0}

The 2013 BMW Gran Lusso Coupe Concept was designed by Pininfarina in collaboration with BMW. It's also pretty awesome and serves as a worthy successor to the BMW Z4 Zagato Coupe that BMW and Zagato also introduced at last year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.

At the time of its debut, rumors began circulating that BMW was planning on using the Gran Lusso Coupe Concept as the basis for the return of a production 8 Series. But while BMW did put those rumors to the shelves, it stopped short of actually throwing out the window.

What that means is if the cards fall right, we might still see a production model based on this fantastic concept.