2018 BMW Concept M8 Gran Coupe

Introduced in 1989 as a replacement for the 6 Series, the 8 Series became BMW's largest and most luxurious coupe yet. Produced in a little over 30,000 units until 1999, it's among the rarest and most desirable Bimmers ever built. Come 2018, and the flagship two-door is set to return alongside an M8 version (for the very first time) and a race-spec model. But BMW isn't stopping here. With some nameplates already available in Gran Coupe trim, the 8 Series will also get a four-door coupe model. The vehicle was confirmed at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, where the German firm showcased the Concept M8 Gran Coupe.

Designed to offer "a look ahead to the most exotic and alluring variant of the new BMW 8 Series," the Concept M8 Gran Coupe also previews a car that "will take over as the new flagship model" for the lineup. This means it will sit atop the 7 Series full-size, and even though it won't be necessarily larger than the four-door, it will definitely cost more and have more exclusive features inside and out. And, despite the "flagship" description, it won't take over the 7 Series' battle with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the Audi A8. Instead, it will compete against the Mercedes-Benz CLS and Audi A7. The concept also suggests that the 8 Series Gran Coupe will be joined by a sportier M8 version.

Continue reading to learn more about the BMW Concept M8 Gran Coupe.

2018 BMW Concept M8 Gran Coupe

2018 BMW Continues to Drag its Feet by Displaying the M8 Gran Coupe Concept Instead of the Production 8 Series

Specifications

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Model: 2018 BMW Concept M8 Gran Coupe
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Pros

Cons

BMW Concept M8 Gran Coupe Exterior

- Sporty design with M parts - Yellow-tinted headlamps - Gold trim - Unique wheel design - Aggressive rear diffuser - Sleek, coupe-style roofline

Design-wise, the Concept M8 Gran Coupe looks familiar, yet it's gorgeous. It's familiar because it sports many of the cues already seen on the new 8 Series coupe, and gorgeous because it blends the sleek, sexy lines of a two-door with the elegant stance of a full-size sedan.

Up front, we can see the same radiator grille kidneys from the 8 Series concept that broaden as they descend towards the bumper. They look closer to production on this concept though, having a sharper frame and design that's very similar to what we see on the production models. The sporty headlamps extend close to the wheel arches and become slimmer toward the edges. This styling is also similar to the coupe concept, but it looks friendlier, and the LED lights behind the covers have a less aggressive design. The lights are tinted yellow, as seen on the M8 GTE race car, a feature borrowed from classic Le Mans racers. It's a nice touch, but it won't make it on the production models.

The kidney grille surround has a golden tint too, which gives the car an exclusive look. The air intakes below are made from carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP), a composite that BMW is using in production cars for a few years now, and are quite big. The side vents are almost as tall as the bumper, while the center intake is just as big as the kidney grille. I guess this is why the concept wears an "M" badge. Still, don't expect the production car to look this menacing.

Move to the sides, and you'll get a better glimpse of how this concept brings together the sleek features of the 8 Series Coupe and four-door configuration of the 7 Series. The coupe-style roof works great with the long wheelbase and the big wheels, but the roof sits a bit lower than it would on a production car. Interestingly enough for a concept, the sedan sports conventional side mirrors. On the flipside, there are no door handles, a sign that BMW didn't want this concept to be that close to what we'll get in dealerships later this year. Just like the front grille, the window trim is finished in gold. The same hue can be seen on the front fender inserts and on wheels, which also have an intricate twin-spoke "Y" design.

The rear end is again similar to the coupe concept, but the features aren't as aggressive. The taillights are more production friendly and don't extend that much upward once they run into the fenders, while the protruding trunk lid spoiler doesn't look as sporty. The fascia itself is obviously taller, being based on the production 8 Series rather than the concept. The bumper is pretty in-your-face though, with big cutouts sculpted onto the sides and a sporty diffuser below. The gold trim of the quad exhaust pipes match the kidney grille and the window frames. Finally, the concept is finished in a special paint called Saleve Vert that changes from green to greyish blue in different light. It definitely works well with the gold detailing, the yellow tinted headlamps, and the smokey taillights.

BMW Concept M8 Gran Coupe Interior

- Similar features as the coupe? - Sports seats - State-of-the-art tech - Semi-autonomous

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The interior of this concept car remains a mystery, as BMW didn't release images, the vehicle displayed in Geneva had tinted windows, and the doors remained shut throughout the show. But much like the interior, the cabin should also be based on that of the coupe model. Expect the same clean dashboard and wide center console and stack, as well as a digital instrument cluster and a sporty steering wheel. The center stack should feature a larger screen, plenty of carbon-fiber, and a simple gear shift control panel.

Sports seats are also in the books, along with light-colored upholstery and contrast stitching for a dramatic effect. The Gran Coupe will have a different configuration in the rear though, with significantly more legroom and maybe a longer center console with HVAC controls and access to the infotainment system. It could also have two individual seats, although the production model could come with an option for either a four- or five-seat layout. A rear-seat infotainment system is also likely, as is semi-autonomous technology.

BMW Concept M8 Gran Coupe Performance

- No official data - Should use V-8 or V-12 - Up to 600 horsepower in M trim

BMW had nothing to say about what's under the hood of the Concept M8 Gran Coupe, but that's hardly surprising. Some concepts are built as design showcases only, and this vehicle seems to be one of them.

But, assuming it does have an engine under the hood, the "M" badge recommends a high-revving mill with around 600 horsepower. There are two options here: either the 4.4-liter V-8 from the M5, which is rated at 591 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, or the 6.6-liter V-12 found in the M760Li model, which cranks out 601 horses and 590 pound-feet.

The production model will also come in non-M spec, which will probably get the detuned V-8 with 445 horsepower and 480 pound-feet. A six-cylinder engine with close to 350 horsepower is also likely, but we could also see a diesel option in Europe, most likely the 3.0-liter quad-dual stage, turbocharged, unit with 394 horsepower and 561 pound-feet of twist.

Whatever the engine, it will mate to an eight-speed automatic transmission and the company’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system.

Conclusion

Already confirmed for production, the Concept M8 Gran Coupe is proof that BMW is doing the right thing. Granted, I'm not a big fan of Gran Coupe models, but BMW has a lot of catching up to do against Mercedes-Benz and Audi, and a new 8 Series model was mandatory. By adding an M8 version and a four-door coupe, BMW may actually stand a better chance against its big rival from Stuttgart. While I'm not a fan of the 8 Series' design, I might actually like this design language with a longer wheelbase and four doors. Not to mention that it will be nice to see the Mercedes-Benz CLS and Audi A7 get some proper competition and then some.