BMW Teases The Upcoming 8 Series With Images And Video

TopSpeed

By Jonathan Lopez

Published Jan 26, 2018

The Bavarian's latest flagship is very close to making its big public debut

The 8 Series is on its way, and BMW really wants you to know about it. To get the hype train a-rollin', BMW recently released a new video showing the beefy two-door sliding around on a test track in a camouflaged exterior, dropping the short clip alongside a series of images and social media posts to boot.

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The Full Story

The new 8 Series is considered BMW's forthcoming flagship model, replacing the old 6 Series at the top of the automaker's lineup. This latest entry also dusts off a nameplate that's been on the shelf for about two decades now. Obviously, stuff like that makes its upcoming reveal quite the event, hence all the teasers we've been seeing lately.

We got our first good look a look at the new 8 Series with the BMW Concept 8 Series that dropped last year at the 2017 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, after which we saw the M8 GTE reveal the following September. Now, we're getting a look at the car as it attacks a test track in Aprilia, Italy, with BMW building hype through gratuitous shots of its camo'd test mule getting nice and crossed up. The Bavarians say they're putting the final touches on the car's “acceleration, braking and steering behaviour,” making sure the suspension and drive systems are up to snuff with expectations.

“The test drives under the most severe conditions show that we are right on target with our concept for the new BMW 8 Series Coupe,” says Klaus Frohlich, BMW's head of Development and Research in Italy. “The vehicle dynamics values already achieved are absolutely impressive. Our customers and fans can look forward to a genuine sports car.”

The recently released video also lets us hear the 8 Series' onboard V-8 going at full chat, with a throaty, snarling baritone providing the soundtrack. Powerplant options will likely include a re-tuned iteration of the twin-turbo 4.4-liter '8 found in the current M5, plus a potential top-trim V-12 as well.

In terms of aesthetics, we're expecting a production friendly version of what we've already seen in the BMW Concept 8 Series. In fact, despite the camo coverings, the car's general shape and styling are already plain to see in these recently released teaser images.

The new 8 Series will be like a low-slung slab of speed, with a grand touring profile and double bubble roof. The front end in particular looks wide and aggressive, with hints of blue in the headlights and on the brake calipers. In back, there are trapezoidal exhaust tips complemented by sharp taillight graphics. In truth, we also see a variety of cues that remind us of the 6 Series Gran Coupe.

Luxury and opulence in the cabin will be top shelf, but the 8 Series will be packing some heat in the performance department as well. Much of the model's go-fast attitude is derived from Bimmer's motorsport experience, with the two-door making its competition debut in the form of the BMW M8 GTE heading to the Rolex 24 At Daytona in just a few short days. The M8 GTE is also set to run at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June, with further development informed by experience gained at the FIA WEC and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

We'll sure to see an official launch some time later this year, but it's highly likely BMW could drop the camo and give us a full reveal very soon – perhaps even in a week. Maybe. After all, why build up hype with a race car and teasers if you aren't gonna follow through, right?