2019 BMW 8 Series
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BMW 8 Series
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Year:2019
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Engine:V8
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Transmission:eight-speed automatic
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Horsepower @ RPM:523 @ 5500
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Torque @ RPM:553 @ 1800
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Displacement:4.4 L
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0-60 time:3.6 sec.
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Top Speed:155 mph
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Price:
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car segment:
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The iconic grand tourer returns after 20 years!
Built between 1989 and 1999, the BMW 8 Series is now regarded as one of the most daring and intriguing Bimmers ever made. It’s also among the most desirable BMWs built in the 1990s. Requested again and again by fans ever since it was discontinued, the 8 Series finally made a comeback. Previewed by a concept car at the 2017 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, the modern 8 Series made its debut at the 2018 24 Hours of Le Mans race in France.
A new 8 Series has been rumored for quite a few years, but for some weird reason BMW refused to bring it back until now. And I say "weird" because the German brand is in dire need of a luxury coupe above the 6 Series. With Mercedes-Benz already selling a two-door S-Class and Audi working on the A9, the 8 Series was pretty much mandatory in order for BMW to keep up with the competition. And needless to say, the S-Class was already far ahead of the 7 Series long before it gained coupe and convertible variants. Will the upcoming 8 Series have what it takes? Find out in my speculative review below.
Updated 07/09/2018: BMW announced prices for the 2019 M850i xDrive Coupe that will arrive in U.S. showrooms on December 8. Check the "Prices" section for the full details.
Continue reading to learn more about the BMW 8 Series.
Latest BMW 8 Series news and reviews:
BMW Reveals New Details On M8, Sets Market Release for 2019
For the first time ever, the 8 Series will spawn an M8 version. We know it’s coming, we’ve seen it in concept form, and also as a race car. We still don’t know too many details about the drivetrain, but BMW just released a bit of information and more photos of a camouflaged car.
Shmee’s Walkaround of the 2019 BMW M850i Convertible Makes Us All Tingly Inside
Six months after the 8 Series Coupe dropped at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, BMW has revealed the hotly anticipated 8 Series Convertible, and long story short, it’s quite the looker! YouTube personality Shmee150 got a chance to get up close and personal with the latest topless Bavarian hotrod and documented the experience in this 10-minute, 46-second walkaround video.
2020 BMW 8 Series Convertible
Unveiled for the 2019 model year, the modern BMW 8 Series revives the iconic nameplate that the German firm produced from 1990 to 1999. Unlike its predecessor, the new 8 Series also spawned a convertible version to tackle the drop-top variant of the luxurious Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe.
After nearly two decades on the shelf, the BMW 8 Series is back, and it’s once again looking to head the BMW lineup with sporty grand touring luxury as a replacement for the outgoing 6 Series. Revived in both racing and full production form at the 2018 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Bavarians kicked things off with a hardtop coupe iteration, but this new flagship also spawned a convertible ahead of the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show. Does it have what it takes to give the S-Class Cabriolet a run for its money?
Continue reading to learn more about the 2020 BMW 8 Series Convertible.
Leaked Photos Forced BMW to Showcase the 2019 8 Series Convertible - Here are the Details
Following news that the BMW 8 Series Convertible would debut at the Los Angeles Auto show, and a very convenient leak of press images just the other day, BMW has decided to showcase the new 8 Series convertible in all its glory. In a nutshell, BMW did it right. It comes with a long list of standard equipment including adaptive LED headlights and a wind deflector that can even be stowed away when not needed. More importantly, that soft-top is electric and can be opened or closed in just 15 seconds and at speeds of up to 31 mph.
2019 BMW 8 Series Convertible Unveiled
BMW just dropped the top on its supreme two-door with the official reveal of the new 2019 8 Series Convertible. Both a diesel-powered model and high-powered gas-drinking M model are on offer, and both come stuffed to the gills with tech for infotainment, convenience, and safety.
10 fun coupes with enough space for your golf clubs
Whether it’s a quick jaunt to the driving range, or an entire Sunday spent on the links with your friends, it’s important to have the right ride to get you and your gear to the golf course without a fuss. As such, the big luxury automakers out there offer a range of two-door coupes with enough space in the rear to transport your clubs, bag, and whatever else you need for a round or two, all without sacrificing comfort in the cabin. But which of these is the best?
To find out, we took a look at all the big names on the market from the perspective of a golfer. First and foremost, the coupe in question has to have enough trunk space to carry at least one golf bag, assuming an average golf bag size of 36 inches by 14 inches by 10 inches, or 3 cubic feet, give or take. What’s more, we’re also considering style and appearance, as well as luxury and equipment features inside the cabin.
So then - arranged in no particular order, here’s our picks for the top 10 luxury coupes to take golfing.
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Here’s the 2019 BMW 8 Series Convertible Before You’re Supposed to See It
Unveiled earlier this year, the new BMW 8 Series was scheduled to lose its roof and become a Convertible at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show. If you were excited to see it in topless form, the wait is pretty much over, as the drop-top grand tourer just broke cover via a set of leaked photos.
Report: A 2020 BMW M8 Competition is Definitely in the Works
At a specially organized event for BMW customers in Paris, the Munich-based company revealed its plans. We will have the BMW M8 Competition. The event hosted a presentation of the designs for its new models and gave a sneak peek at the most amazing things VIP BMW customers will be able to buy soon.
Of course, phones, cameras (and I believe proficient painters) weren’t allowed. Regardless of this, BMW Blog revealed a few tidbits about the news revealed there, and the M8 Competition is one big piece of that news.
BMW fans (which I am one of) can rejoice. We are in for a couple of incredible years as BMW reinvented the 8 Series and is about to churn out numerous versions. The M8 Competition will be among them. That is like the M8, only on cocaine. So, cruel, smart, and deadly.
Here’s The 2020 BMW 8 Series Cabrio in Prototype Form
BMW is on a roll these days. Having launched the Z4 M40i just last week, the German automaker is now testing the convertible prototype of the new 8 Series under different conditions. The 8 Series is undoubtedly the most luxurious offering from the BMW lineup, so it was only logical for the company to explore the same formula in a different avatar. In 2019, along with the Convertible, BMW plans to launch a Gran Coupe version of the 8 Series as well.
BMW Mulling Over a 9 Series Maybach Fighter
Just when it seemed like BMW had finally stretched itself into the luxury segment with the 8 Series, a new report suggests that the German automaker wants to go deeper into the luxury realm with — wait for it — a 9 Series model. Granted, nothing is set in stone at the moment, but Adrian van Hooydonk, BMW’s design director, hinted to Autocar that the 8 Series isn’t the end of the German automaker’s voyage into the world of luxury models.
2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe
Having revived the 8 Series after two decades, BMW is also planning to build a Gran Coupe version of the two-door. A concept car was shown at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, where it was confirmed that the 8 Series Gran Coupe "will take over as the new flagship model" for the brand. Come July 2018, and the production model was spotted on the road.
Much like the coupe, the production car will share many features with the concept. However, this test vehicle has a milder appearance, as it appears to be a standard model and not the M version we saw in Geneva. Our paparazzi actually spotted two cars. There’s a regular 8 Series on a trailer and a sportier version with the M Sport package stretching its wheels on the road. The final product could break cover by the end of 2018 and join a niche that already includes the Mercedes-Benz CLS and the Audi A7.
Continue reading to learn more about the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe
Watch the BMW M8 Tear Ass Around the Nurburgring
Like a shot of the good juice on a clear morning, the BMW M8 was spotted at the Nurburgring doing some good ‘ol fashion testing. The long-bodied beauty was dressed in heavy camouflage, but the coupe’s unmistakable look can still be gleaned underneath all that wrapping.
2019 BMW 8 Series
Built between 1989 and 1999, the BMW 8 Series is now regarded as one of the most daring and intriguing Bimmers ever made. It’s also among the most desirable BMWs built in the 1990s. Requested again and again by fans ever since it was discontinued, the 8 Series finally made a comeback. Previewed by a concept car at the 2017 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, the modern 8 Series made its debut at the 2018 24 Hours of Le Mans race in France.
A new 8 Series has been rumored for quite a few years, but for some weird reason BMW refused to bring it back until now. And I say "weird" because the German brand is in dire need of a luxury coupe above the 6 Series. With Mercedes-Benz already selling a two-door S-Class and Audi working on the A9, the 8 Series was pretty much mandatory in order for BMW to keep up with the competition. And needless to say, the S-Class was already far ahead of the 7 Series long before it gained coupe and convertible variants. Will the upcoming 8 Series have what it takes? Find out in my speculative review below.
Updated 07/09/2018: BMW announced prices for the 2019 M850i xDrive Coupe that will arrive in U.S. showrooms on December 8. Check the "Prices" section for the full details.
Continue reading to learn more about the BMW 8 Series.
Love It or Leave It - The 2019 BMW 8 Series
Every time an automaker like BMW launches a new-generation model, gearheads go wild, and outlets compare it to alternatives from Audi and Mercedes-Benz. But while models like the X5 and the 3 Series get massive attention with each redesign, no Bimmer gets more time under the spotlight than the 8 Series. Revived after a 20-year hiatus, the grand tourer is the car of the moment and arguably one of the most important releases of the year.
The new 8 Series is spectacular in many ways, but much like most automobiles out there, it’s not perfect. We’re here to give it our usual "love it or leave it" treatment, in which we discuss what we like and what we hate about it. Find out what our staff had to say about BMW’s new luxury coupe and let us know what you think about it in the comments sections below.
Continue reading for the full story.
2019 BMW 8 Series Configurator - How We’d Spec It
The highly anticipated debut of the 2019 BMW 8 Series finally happened this week, and as has been the case recently, the luxury sedan’s online configurator quickly followed. Online configurators have been fun exercises for us. We get to create our own version of the new model and spec it right down to the most specific of details. Far too often, our creations end up differing from another, but that’s precisely the purpose of these configurators. You create what you want regardless of the opinions of other people. In the end, you live by your creation, and you show it off to the rest of the world. And so it is, our spec of the 2019 BMW 8 Series.
Days After BMW Unveiled the New 8 Series, Patent Drawings of The Convertible and Gran Coupe Versions Have Already Surfaced
The new BMW 8 Series is still fresh in our minds, and now there are reports of design registrations surfacing of the convertible and Gran Coupe versions of Bimmer’s new flagship model. The design registrations reportedly came from the Brazilian National Institute of Industrial Property, and if you didn’t believe them, it appears that the German automaker is serious about branching the 8 Series beyond the coupé and convertible models that we already know about.
Five Interesting Facts About the 2019 BMW 8 Series
The new BMW 8 Series is out in the open, and the nameplate’s revival comes with quite a few impressive features. Not only is it sporting a unique design that’s sportier than the competition, but the 8 Series is also equipped with state-of-the-art tech and a number of cool features. We’ve already covered some of them in our "6 Astonishing Tech Gizmos and Cool Features of the New BMW 8 Series," and now its time to have a look at some of the coupe’s most interesting facts. Check them out below.
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Comparison: BMW 8 Series Vs Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe
After many years of persistent requests from gearheads and several rumors, the BMW 8 Series finally returned to the market after almost 20 years. The grand tourer’s revival not only marks the return of an iconic Bimmer, but it also gives the Munich-based company a proper competitor against the highly-acclaimed Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe and the Bentley Continental GT. BMW also returns to the luxury coupe segment before Audi will bring the A9 into dealerships.
Previewed by a concept car unveiled in 2017, the new BMW 8 Series is more than just a two-door version of the 7 Series. On top of having a unique design, it also debuts new technologies for the brand and adds a bit of sportiness to an otherwise sober segment. But, how does it compare to the popular Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe? Let’s find out in the comparison below.
Evolution of an Icon - 1999 BMW 8 Series vs 2019 BMW 8 Series
The arrival of the 2019 BMW 8 Series was a long time in the making. It’s been almost 20 years since an 8 Series hit the streets, and the arrival of the new model has brought our memories of the original version back on the surface. In times like this, we can’t help but wonder how the 8 Series measures up to the original. Does it look better? Does it have better materials? Which came with better technologies? We pieced through all that to find a clearer picture of how the new 8 Series compares to its iconic OG.
The BMW 8 Series is Out, but What do we Know About the BMW M8?
Harvey Samuel Firestone is not a guy you would usually tie with BMW, let alone the newest BMW M850i. He founded the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company back in 1900 and paved the way for a well-known marketing idea called - “Win On Sunday, Sell On Monday!”
Muscle car producers (and not only them) used this strategy to their advantage back in the day of really cheap gas. Good old times. It seems that BMW is attempting to implement the same strategy this year with their 8 Series.
BMW unveiled the new 8 Series at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and placed it directly next to their fantastic M8 GTE racer. The model in question was the top spec M850i xDrive Coupe M Performance in orange. BMW Motorsport CEO Franciscus Van Meel and BMW designer Adrian Van Hooydonk talked endlessly to the press there explaining all the bits and pieces.
And it happened! Van Meel said:
“This car (pointing at the M8 GTE) is going to race today, and that car (pointing at the M850i) you can buy later on this year.”
So, yes, BMW M boss is actually telling you to buy the M850i which is such a sports performance machine it felt only natural to reveal it next to its sister, the race-bred M8 GTE. Some questions lingered after seeing the footage. What, for the love of all that is sacred, will the M8 bring? What will it turn into?
Maybe a monster. Maybe an undisputed BMW that the fantastic original 850CSi from the Nineties simply couldn’t have been.
This is a story about the forthcoming BMW M8.
Xtomi Renders the 8 Series as a Cabrio, Pickup, Shooting Brake, and NFS Most Wanted Street Racer
The arrival — or is it return? — of the BMW 8 Series has done a lot of things in the industry, including giving designers an opportunity to render the German automaker’s new flagship model sporting different body types. It’s no surprise that as soon as the 8 Series was unveiled, noted artist and rendering maestro X-Tomi has come out with different “versions” of the 8er, some of which are more audacious than others.
Does the 8 Series work as a shooting brake? How about a convertible version? Maybe even as a pickup? X-Tomi covered all these bases with his renders for the 8 Series, and almost all of them are awesome.
The BMW 8 series is a fascinating exercise in design, technology, and style. It also sits at the high-end of the BMW lineup, and that is an incredible place to be as it is full of magic, science, emotion, and prestige. I am presenting you Six amazing features of the new BMW 8 series as well as the most outstanding technology which BMW plans to use to fight the S-class Coupe and its likeness.
The BMW 8 Series Coupe has Debuted and It’s Stunning
We’re finally getting a look at the BMW 8 Series in high resolution and ready to take on the Mercedes S-Class in a Serious way. It’s expected to hit the road in the U.K. in November with a price ranging from £76,740 to as much as £100,025 for the range-topping (until the M8, anyway) M850i seen in all of the images we have here. Pricing for the U.S. has yet to be released.
BMW 8 Series Revealed in all its Glory Before the Official Debut
Latest BMW 8 Series:
Woman Dies After a BMW 8 Series Prototype Crashes at High Speed
A test driver from BMW took his girlfriend’s mother for a spin in a BMW 8 Series prototype, but things took a turn for the worst when he lost control and hit several trees, causing severe damage to the car and fatal injuries to the passenger. The crash happened around 10pm Sunday night and is still under investigation, but the cause of the accident is said to be “significantly excessive speed.”
BMW Will Debut the Production Version of the 8 Series Coupe at the 24 Hours of Le Mans
While Bimmer fans have been eating up the new 8 Series in its be-winged and racing livery form with the M8 GTE, the full production model has yet to make its official debut. But that’ll change next month when BMW brings a brand-new M850i xDrive Coupe to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as teased in the above-featured picture.
Continue reading for the full story.
Confirmation of the BMW M850i has Come with the Promise of 523 Horsepower
After seeing theBMW 8 Series Concept, the BMW 8 Series GTE racer, and who knows how many spy shots and teasers, it looks like we’ll finally get to see the road-going 8 Series make its long-awaited debut. In a memo sent out to BMW sales reps, it was said that the new 8 Series will make its debut on June 15, 2018, at the 24 Hours of Le Mans – just prior to the 8 Series GTE taking to the track for the very first time.
2019 BMW M8 Gran Coupe
The iconic 8 Series made a comeback in 2018 and BMW also confirmed that the grand tourer will get an M8 version for the very first time. The German firm also announced plans to expand the 8 Series family with Gran Coupe model that will also get an M8 version. A concept car was unveiled at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show in March and four months later we stumbled across the production version on public roads.
Granted, the test cars are actually an non-M models, but one of the prototypes sports the same exterior as the M850i coupe, which makes it very similar to the full-blow M8 version. The M8 Gran Coupe would make things rather interesting in the four-door coupe niche, as BMW will have a rival for the AMG and RS versions of the CLS and A7, respectively. The concept car provides a few valuable hints as to what to expect from the production model, but technical specifications are still a mystery. Until more data becomes available, let’s have a closer look at what we already know about the upcoming M8 Gran Coupe.
Continue reading to learn more about the upcoming BMW M8 Gran Coupe.
BMW Showed off the 8 Series in Secret and Reports Say It’s about 90-Percent Identical to the Concept
The next few years are going to be huge for BMW and, outside of the new Z4 Roadster hitting the streets, all eyes are set on the BMW 8 Series. After being let down that it wasn’t shown off in Geneva this year, you might be surprised to know that it was, in fact, in Geneva – it was just hidden away from all of us, in a secret room, where only the cool people were allowed to go check it out. Certain sources, whom of which were allegedly in the cool people room, have told BMW Blog that the production version of the 8 series is about 90-percent of the concept.
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2019 BMW M8
The BMW 8 Series returned in 2018 after almost 20 years. Developed to replace the 6 Series, the 8 Series is sportier, more modern, and enables BMW to compete against the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe. For the first time ever, the 8 Series will be upgraded to M8 specifications by the company’s high-performance division. The M8 will brake cover sometime in 2019.
When BMW introduced the 8 Series back in 1989, it reshaped the full-size luxury segment with a car that was gorgeous, unique, and loaded with innovative features. Discontinued in 1999, the 8 Series returned almost two decades later in 2018. The M8’s arrival will mark a premiere for the nameplate, which didn’t receive the M treatment in the 1990s. Although BMW did make a prototype, it eventually decided that there’s no market for the M8 and the project was scrapped. Times have obviously changed now, and with Mercedes already offering AMG versions of the S-Class Coupe and with Bentley producing the Continental GT Speed for quite a few years now, BMW needs the M8 to keep up with the competition. Find out what we already know about this grand tourer in my speculative review below.
Continue reading to learn more about the upcoming BMW M8.
Xtomi’s Rendering of the Production BMW M8 Gran Coupe Will Give you an Erection
The BMW M8 Gran Coupe Concept showed its face at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this month. It’s an attention-grabber in many ways, and if rumors are to be believed, it could stand as the precursor to the actual production model. But, as it is with the auto industry these days, the production 8 Series is still being kept under wraps while automakers wait for the right time to showcase it in all its glory. With time on his hands, the man behind X-Tomi Design decided to get a jump on the proceedings by rendering what he thinks the production M8 Gran Coupe is going to look like. Spoiler alert: it’s awesome.
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.
Customer Demand Ultimately Paved The Road For The BMW 8 Series
The return of the BMW 8 Series and the demise of the BMW 6 Series can be attributed to one thing: customer demand. The German automaker admitted as much at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show when it was asked about the reasons for the return of the 8 Series. Apparently, the public wanted the 8 Series to return after almost two decades of being on the sidelines. That demand spurred BMW CEO Harald Kruger to make the decision to bring the nameplate back.
2018 Geneva International Motor Show - Worst In Show
We went a little gaga in our list of the best debuts from the 2018 Geneva International Auto Show, including no less than five honorable mentions in addition to our regular list of five winners. But, as is tradition, we must now don our collective troll faces and single out those rides that not only failed to make the cut, but also elicited our ire and dismay. So read on for our list of the Worst In Show from Switzerland this year, and don’t forget to post your opinion in the comments!
Continue reading for the worst debuts from the 2018 Geneva International Motor Show.
BMW Continues to Drag its Feet by Displaying the M8 Gran Coupe Concept Instead of the Production 8 Series
Previewed by a couple of spy shots last week, BMW’s new Gran Coupe vehicle just made its official debut at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. Believed to be a four-door version of the upcoming 8 Series, the vehicle was confirmed as the M8 Gran Coupe. BMW is basically using the same strategy as it did with the 8 Series, which was previewed by an 8 Series Coupe concept. At the same time, BMW confirms that the M8 Gran Coupe show car will be followed by production versions in both M8 and 8 Series guises in 2019.
BMW Teases A Sleek, Four-Door Coupe For Geneva; Could It Be The 8 Series Gran Coupe?
The 2018 Geneva International Motor Show is very nearly upon us, and BMW is gearing up for the big event with a variety of hotly anticipated debuts. The latest looks to be a concept version of the upcoming 8 Series Gran Coupe, as revealed in a teaser image recently posted to Bimmer’s various social media accounts.
Continue reading for the full story.
Car For Sale: George Carlin’s 1996 BMW 850Ci
If you’re ever feeling down in the dumps and need a new perspective on things, I’d like to suggest checking out the comedy of George Carlin. Granted, Carlin was never one to sugarcoat a situation, but his ability to drive straight to the bone of an issue is second to none. His sarcastic, highly intelligent dark comedy is legendary, and now, his well-preserved 8 Series can be had by the highest bidder.
Continue reading for the full story.
Is BMW Preparing an M8 Concept for Geneva?
The Chicago Auto Show is now open, but for most European automakers, the event they’re preparing for is the next one on the calendar. The Geneva Motor Show is regarded as one of the biggest auto shows of the year. Every automaker worth its salt attends the event. That includes BMW, which is already in line to debut the new X4. Now, whispers abound that another model is coming to the auto show. If these whispers hold true, we could be on the receiving end of seeing a new, 8 Series-based concept from the M Division.
BMW Teases The Upcoming 8 Series With Images And Video
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.
Continue reading for the full story.
Breaking: BMW 8 Series Leaks With an Ugly Rear End
We’ve seen too many spy shots of the upcoming 8 Series for its exterior design to be a mystery, but some important details were still hidden under wraps. And needless to say, the concept car looked way to aggressive for a production model. The flagship coupe is still a few months away from going public, but we can already have a look at its design thanks to a batch of photos that just surfaced the Interwebz. The 8 Series shown in Bimmer Post’s leak is white, camo-free, and confirms that the new coupe will be just a slightly fancied-up 6 Series.
Remember how you were all excited by the upcoming BMW 8 Series and M8? Do you also remember my rant about why this big revival won’t be as exciting as BMW wants us to believe? Well, it turns out I was right. Yeah, yeah, I’m well aware that both the 8 Series and M8 are still under wraps, but BMW just unveiled the M8 GTE race car, which basically means that the Germans showcased more than 50-percent of the production model. And look, it’s pretty much a redesigned M6!
Come on, did you really believe that BMW was planning to revive the 8 Series nameplate for something completely new like it happened when it was first introduced in the late 1980s? Wasn’t the fact that BMW discontinued the 6 Series before the announcement a big enough hint? How can you be so naive? Well, if you’re still expecting the 8 Series to be a unique model in the lineup and not just a reheated 6 Series soup, keep reading to find out why you should stop being the world’s most optimistic BMW fanboy.
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2018 BMW M8 GTE
The official confirmation that BMW is planning to revive the 8 Series and build the first M8 ever is arguably the best BMW-related news we received this year. And while both cars are still a few months from going public, the German firm offered us a sneak preview by launching the M8-based race car first. Unveiled at the2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, it’s called the M8 GTE and will mark the brand’s return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans after seven years. The new race car will make its debut in early 2018, at the 24 Hours of Daytona.
BMW also confirmed that the M8 GTE will race before the 8 Series goes on sale, so don’t expect the flagship coupe to arrive earlier than January 2018. But the good news is that the race car gives a good look at what the upcoming M8 will bring to the table in terms of design and even performance. Of course, the production model won’t be as aggressive as the GTE-spec vehicle, but many of these styling features will make it on the coupe that you’ll be able to find in dealerships. Let’s have a closer at the M8 GTE and BMW’s upcoming campaign in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Continue reading to learn more about the BMW M8 GTE.
BMW’s New Black and White Badge Is A Sign Of Things To Come
BMW showed up to IAA 2017, aka the Frankfurt Auto Show, ready to make waves, and make waves it did. There was no shortage of new models to look at, and a few others that we’ve already seen. Highlights included cars like the BMW I Vision Dynamics Concept, the BMW Concept X7 iPerformance, BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo, BMW X3, BMW i3 and i3S, the new BMW M5, and the BMW M8 GTE – the car that previews the future M8. It also brought a couple of special editions in tow along with concepts we’ve already seen like the 8 Series and the Concept Z4. All of this is great, but at the same time, the German marque also announced something much smaller and maybe even a little controversial. See, the brand has decided to separate its “premium” models (is there such a thing as a non-premium BMW?) from the rest of the lineup with a special badge. That’s right; your next BMW might not wear the traditional black, white, and blue badge. Oh, how time changes things, huh?
The logo isn’t a departure from the iconic BMW badge that we all recognize. It’s still the same, except that it’ll be featured entirely in black and white, with no trace of blue. It’ll also feature the words “Bayerische Motoren Werke,” the automaker’s spelled-out name from which the “BMW” acronym comes from. Granted, Bimmer hasn’t specified which of its models will be given the simplified black and white badge, but a quick look at the company’s revamped lineup provides the likelihood that models like the 7 Series and the upcoming 8 Series and X7 SUVs all have the inside track at wearing the new badge. An announcement is expected to happen sooner than later, but in any case, start getting used to this new logo from BMW. It may be more of the same from a design point of view, but for as long as we’ve known and appreciated the black, white, and blue badge, it’s going to take as much time to get used to this new version.
Continue after the jump to read the full story.
BMW’s M8 GTE Le Mans Competitor Previews Production M8 Model
The Bavarians are heading back to Circuit de La Sarthe, and they’re bringing a new race car. Say hello to the M8 GTE, which just debuted this week at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. Set to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship, the M8 GTE clearly has its sights set on the 24 Hours of Le Mans. That’ll make it the first BMW to run the world-famous endurance event since 2011, following in the footsteps of such machines as the V12 LMR that took outright victory in 1999. The new racer’s first competitive event will be the 24 Hours of Daytona next year, with further races in the North American IMSA series on the docket as well. That’s all well and good, but for those of us chomping at the bit to see the new 8 Series, the M8 GTE offers some tantalizing insights into what to expect.
For those unaware, the upcoming M8 is framed as Bimmer’s end-all-be-all range-topping luxury two-door, a flagship coupe sporting large-and-in-charge dimensions, plenty of power, and high-end interior extravagance. It’s essentially BMW’s answer to competitors like the Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe, previewed with the BMW 8 Series Concept Coupe revealed in Italy at the Villa d’Este event earlier this year. However, with the racing version now out and under the lights, we’re taking a closer look to see what we can learn before the 8 Series drops at the Los Angeles Auto Show in a few months’ time.
Continue reading to learn more about the BMW M8 GTE and upcoming 8 Series.
2019 BMW M8 Convertible
Rumored for many, many years, the iconic BMW 8 Series returned to the market in 2018 as the company’s flagship coupe. And unlike the first-generation model, produced from 1989 to 1999, the new 8 Series will also spawn a high-performance M8 model. Additionally, BMW also confirmed a drop-top version of the M8, so the Germans will finally have a competitor for the AMG-prepped Mercedes S63 and S65 Cabriolet.
Not only would an M8 Convertible arrive as a premiere for the nameplate, it would also be a first for the 8 Series. Although it was produced for a full decade, the first-gen 8 Series remained a coupe only. The German firm did develop a cabrio and built a prototype, but it later decided that it was unlikely to recover its development cost and scrapped the project. The same happened with the original M8, which was axed in favor of the less powerful, but still M-developed 850CSi. Some two decades later and both ideas are set to merge into a production model for the very first time.
Continue reading to learn more about the BMW M8 Convertible.
2017 BMW 8 Series Concept
Back in the late 1980s when BMW introduced the first 8 Series Coupe, it threw the lineup into turmoil as the 6 Series quickly lost relevance. The 6 Series was eventually discontinued a few years after the 8 Series rolled into showrooms. The 8 Series quickly became an icon, but was ultimately short-lived, being discontinued just 10 years after its introduction. The 6 Series bounced back in 2003 and has been on the market ever since. Fast forward to 2017, and we’re looking at another 8 Series Coupe. This specific model is a concept, but promises to be near-production ready and represents what the new 8 Series will look like when it hits the market in 2018 as a 2019 model. Little is known as far as specifics go, but the 8 Series concept shows off a bold new styling language for future BMW products and essentially redefines the line between beauty and luxury. Inside, the concept represents the evolution of BMW’s iconic styling while the motivation under the hood is likely the same 4.4-liter, turbocharged, V-8 from the current 7 Series.
The new 8 Series Coupe coming and there’s no denying it at this point. It’s quite likely to throw BMW’s lineup into chaos once again. Is there a place for the 6 Series with a new 8 Series on the market? Does the design language of the new 8 Series fit into the ego of BMW fanboys enough to encourage paying much more for a slightly larger coupe? These are two important questions, but they all lead to the same quandary: Will the production model based on this concept perform well enough for the name to gain that iconic status it was once known for, while earning itself a permanent place in Bimmer’s stable? Well, let’s dive on into this concept and see just what the future might hold.
The BMW 8 Series Concept Falls Short Of Expectations
Those who routinely follow TopSpeed are probably already aware of my infatuation towards the BMW 8 Series. I’ve waxed poetic about it. I’ve put posters of it on my wall. At one point, I may have had a dream that I got married to one. I loved the 8 Series in the 90s and I still love it today. So as you can imagine, I’m heavily invested in the new BMW 8 Series. I want it to look as good as it’s predecessor. I want it to do better than its predecessor. Most of all, I want it to live up to my expectations, which are admittedly higher than most people. So when I saw the BMW 8 Series Concept, my reaction was summed up in two words: “Oh, no.”
It’s not that I don’t like the 8 Series Concept. I actually do. It looks clean, sharp, and exciting. If BMW rolled out the concept without identifying it as the 8 Series Concept, I’d be gushing all over it. The problem is that it didn’t live up to my expectations of what the 8er could look like because it’s not 8 Series material. Check that; it’s not flagship model material. For instance, I imagined it being a bigger than what it is. That could still be the case if BMW decides to add sedan and Gran Coupe variants in the future, but for what it showed, there’s an absence of that "wow factor" that I expected out of it.
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How Does the BMW 8 Series Concept Stack Up Against the Mercedes S-Class Coupe?
Eighteen years. That’s how long it’s been since BMW had a model called the 8 Series. It seems like a lifetime ago, but fans of the old 8 Series will probably tell you they still think about one of BMW’s most iconic models to this day. I know I fall in that category, which isn’t all that surprising considering my well-known fascination for the old 8er. But that was then and this is now. The old 8 Series may be a sought-after collectible now, but BMW is determined to bring some shine back to the name with the introduction of the new 8 Series Concept.
BMW’s intentions for the 8 Series name is already known. It plans to bring it back to replace the outgoing 6 Series as the company’s next flagship model. It’s a great plan from all angles, one that should give some of Bimmer’s biggest rivals enough reason to pause and look over at Bavaria to see what it’s up to. I imagine Mercedes is doing just that because the return of the 8 Series means that the S-Class finally gets the fierce rival it’s been missing for close to two decades. The question now is whether BMW’s 8 Series Concept has the goods to compete against the Mercedes S-Class Coupe. Unfortunately, we’re no closer to finding an answer to that because the 8 Series isn’t scheduled to hit production form until 2018. What we do have now, thanks to BMW, is a concept that’s striking enough to dissect. What better way to do that than to put it up against Mercedes’ own flagship luxury coupe.
Continue after the jump to read the full story,
Want to Hear What the 8 Series Concept Sounds Like? Look no Further
So, the 8 Series Coupe Concept was finally announced to the world, and it’s honestly been quite the surprise. There seems to be a lot of mixed opinions about it, and it’s certainly raised the question as to whether or not the 6 Series would remain in the lineup. Here at Topspeed, we’re also torn. Some of us think it looks amazing, while others are a bit disappointed with the way the front end looks. Surely, this isn’t the first-gen 8 Series, but it’s certainly not ugly either.
Unfortunately, BMW has kept a lot of details close to the heart and has yet to announce what resides under the hood or any performance specs whatsoever. Be that as it may, you can still get a little taste of what it sounds like thanks to a walkaround video produced by German publication AutoBild. I personally think it sounds mean, but a little raspy, but maybe that’s due to my crappy speakers. Either way, we think you have an obligation to hear this baby fire up and run, so you should click play on the video and check it out for yourself.
On a side note, this video is straight out of Germany, so you’ll have to do a little trick if you don’t know German and want to know what’s being said. To do this, click on the settings button, then turn on German subtitles. Click on the menu again, click on the auto translate button, then choose your language of choice. With that said, you can hear the exhaust note starting at 4:52, so go ahead and click play already, sheesh.
BMW’s 8 Series Concept Looks Dead Sexy
Hot on the heels of a leak recently published online, BMW has revealed its latest 8 Series Concept car in a succession of official photos and video. The design study is scheduled to make its full public debut at the Concoso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este show in Italy this weekend, a venue where BMW has a history of revealing awesome concepts (last year, the automaker offered up the slick 2002 Hommage Concept). The 8 Series Concept is framed as a modern sports coupe worthy of flagship status, and previews an upcoming production model arriving sometime next year. BMW hopes this sleek sports coupe will manage to rekindle consumer interest in large luxury two-doors with a dollop of sporting intent under the hood.
“The number 8 has always represented the pinnacle of sports performance and exclusivity at BMW,” said Harald Kruger, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. “The forthcoming BMW 8 Series Coupe will demonstrate that razor-sharp dynamics and modern luxury can go hand-in-hand. This will be the next model in the expansion of our luxury-car offering and will raise the benchmark for coupes in the segment. In the process, we will strengthen our claim to leadership in the luxury class.” The 8 Series Concept will replace the 6 Series Coupe in BMW’s lineup, surpassing the outgoing model in terms of exterior dimensions. Built on the same platform as the 7 Series, the 8 Series is also rumored to receive a turbo V-12 powerplant for motivation.
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BMW 8 Series Concept Images Leaked Ahead of Official Debut
The BMW 8 Series Concept has allegedly leaked online only a day before BMW’s official debut of the two-door coupe at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on May 26. The leak was picked up by Carscoops, but no information about the source or details about the 8 Series were given. While the three images are likely real shots of the BMW concept, there is a chance these could be renderings from a skilled digital artist. The truth won’t reveal itself until tomorrow when BMW pulls the sheets off the concept GT car.
The debut is set along the shores of Lake Como in northern Italy. The high-class concourse event has long been a place where automakers showcased their latest exclusive models. It’s fitting, then, that the 8 Series concept should make its arrival there. Earlier this month, BMW CEO Harald Kuüger was quoted saying, “The BMW 8 Series Coupe will build on our tradition of luxurious sports coupes and add a genuine dream car to our line-up – a slice of pure automotive fascination. The 8 Series Coupe will underpin our claim to leadership in the luxury segment. I can tell you today that this will be a true luxury sports coupe.”
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Pops’ Rants: Why I Don’t Care About Vegans and Nurburgring Laps
Boy this was a boring week. Not a single automotive event worth mentio... Ah, wait, the NIO EP9 smashed the Nurburgring lap record for production. Mighty impressive given that the benchmark was about eight years old, but there’s a bit of a problem. The NIO EP9 isn’t a production car. I know I’m old and my memory isn’t as good as it used to be, but can you provide me a link from where I can order this car? You can’t! Because this thing isn’t for sale.
Sure, NIO says that six examples have already been sold to company investors and that 10 more cars are underway for the general public, but that’s not much really. Maybe this contest over who has the bigger pecker on the ’Ring should have some additional rules. It’s enough that automakers like Nissan make special tweaks to their cars for these benchmarks, and we don’t need extremely limited runs validated as production models at the track. If it continues like this, carmakers will need to make just the one car to be considered a production vehicle soon. And it’s stupid!
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The BMW 8 Series is making a comeback after two decades. Yey! No, stop right there. No need to yay. The new 8 Series won’t be of the yay variety. It will be just another expensive, heavy, nanny-packed Bimmer made for those rich enough to throw at least $100,000 at the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe. And, for those BMW fans waiting for the 8 Series to return, of course, but the rich enough statement applies here as well. Bottom line, if you can’t afford it, you’re yaying just because the name of a cool car from the 1990s is coming back.
But it’s just the name, not spirit.
Don’t get me wrong; I’m a big fan of the 8 Series. But, much like the Shelby Cobra and the DeTomaso Pantera, it’s a car from another era and needs to stay there. Otherwise, we’ll end up with yet another modern Maserati Ghibli, which has nothing in common with the outstanding grand tourer from the late 1960s. But isn’t it a bit too early to bash a car that won’t be here until 2018? Nope. It’s never too early to be a hater. And, let’s not forget we’re talking about BMW here. Keep reading to see what I mean.
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The BMW 8 Series Is Back, Baby!
Rumors of BMW planning to revive the 8 Series nameplate have been swirling around for quite a few years, and German brand officials didn’t bother to official confirm or dismiss the claims. But it’s finally official! The 8 Series is coming back, and we have a teaser photo as confirmation. The two-door coupe was confirmed at BMW’s Annual General Meeting in Munich on May 11 and will make its first public appearance at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este at the end of the month in the form of a concept car. Yey!
Now don’t let the "concept car" formulation ruin your day. The show car will most definitely be followed by a production model. According to BMW, the concept car "provides an exclusive look ahead to the BMW 8 Series Coupe slated for 2018," so we’ll be seeing the actual vehicle in about a year or so. Time for another "yey!," huh? The German firm also said that the concept "embodies uncompromising dynamics and contemporary luxury – the essence of a modern BMW coupe." And the teaser photo seems to confirm just that in terms of exterior design.
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Is BMW Already Testing the M8 on the Nurburgring?
Rumors about BMW reviving the 8 Series have been floating around for many years and the Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupe concept that the German firm unveiled in 2013 poured even more gasoline on the fire. However, BMW has extremely quiet on the matter and it seemed that the 8 Series wasn’t going to happen anytime soon. This changed today, when a rather unusual test car was caught stretching its wheels on the Nurburgring track.
And I say "unusual" because it’s larger than the 6 Series and seems to borrow some features from the Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupe concept. What’s more, there are hints of M-designed elements, which means we could be looking at the highly anticipated M8.
The coupe feels pretty impressive on the ’Ring. Although it has a low stance, the car is quite massive and leans heavily while cornering. This doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s as heavy as a regular full-size car, but it’s not exactly an M4 either. The styling is obviously of the 6 Series variety. There’s a long hood, a heavily raked roof toward the rear, and a long decklid. However, the overall shape is notably different than a standard 6 Series and the body is significantly longer.
Although wrapped in camouflaged almost entirely, the headlamps are obviously slim, while the kidney-grille is massive, occupying more than half of the car’s width. Both the front end configuration and the profile seem based on the Pininfarina Grand Lusso concept. Below the grille, there are massive vents that may have been designed by the M division. The same goes for the rear bumper, which has large trapezoidal exhaust pipes at each corner. Another hint that this is an M car are the blue M calipers and the larger brake rotors.
Continue reading for the full story.
BMW’s 8 Series Lineup Is Reportedly Taking Shape
There’s been a lot of talk regarding the possible return of the BMW 8 Series, and while most of the whispers have yet to be formally acknowledged by the higher-ups in Bavaria, a fresh report from German publication Automobilwoche hints at the possibility that the 8 Series will actually feature a family of models that will include a V-12 variant and a range-topping M8.
Before anybody gets a little too excited, it must be said that there’s still no official confirmation from BMW about these reports. But this new development adds to the growing number of whispers surrounding the automaker’s plans for bringing back the 8 Series at the expense of trimming down its 6 Series lineup. Remember, a previous report from BMW Blog indicated that part of the reason why BMW is reportedly keen on reviving the 8 Series nameplate is to keep pace with the Mercedes’ S-Class Coupe, something that the current 6 Series has failed to do. The plan, at least according to that report, was to develop an 8 Series Coupe that will take on that role while also filling the gap between the 7 Series and the Rolls-Royce Wraith, which still falls under BMW’s umbrella. That model is being penciled to make a 2018 debut, which would then be followed by a convertible version in 2019, and a potential M8 range-topper soon thereafter.
This development also ties into another report regarding BMW’s recent filing of trademark application on a number of 8 Series-related names, including 825, 830, 835, 850, 845, 860, M850, and of course, M8.
Obviously, none of these reports will matter until BMW either confirms or denies them. That said, the whispers of a possible return for the 8 Series are growing and the more we hear from these “sources,” the sooner it could take for BMW to officially let the cat out of the bag, if there is one to begin with.
Continue after the jump to read the full story.
BMW 6 Series Coupe to be Replaced by New 8 Series In 2020
The BMW 8 Series is set to make its long-awaited comeback and while that is all set to happen, questions on when it’s going to arrive have yet to be answered. Well, we now have an idea regarding a timetable for the 8 Series, at least according to BMW Blog, who says that BMW’s new flagship model will hit the market in late 2019 or early 2020. But that’s not all. Turns out, the arrival of the 8 Series will come at the expense of both the 6 Series Coupe and Convertible.
Both the high-end coupe and convertible variants are apparently on the chopping block as BMW seeks to field a legitimate rival to the Mercedes S-Class Coupe and Cabriolet. The void left behind by the departure of the two models will be filled up by the 8 Series. There’s no word yet on whether the arriving 8er will strictly be a two-model lineup, but a previous report by Auto Express touched on the possibility of an entire family of models coming out of the 8 family. The same report also listed a number of trademarks that BMW filed with global intellectual property regulators pertaining to possible names for cars that will be given the 8 Series badge.
The 8 Series is also reportedly getting a series of of engines that will include a 3.0-liter straight six that produces 450 horsepower and a more powerful 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 that can develop as much as 650 horsepower without breaking a sweat. The twin-turbo V-8, it seems, is the engine that the German automaker plans to use for the car that will eventually have its eyes set on the Mercedes S-Class Coupe.
As for the 6 Series, the exit of both the 6 Series Coupe and 6 Series Cabriolet isn’t the beginning of the end for that lineup. Instead, BMW is reportedly keen on turning that lineup into its de-facto sports car family, one that will include a two-seater sports car that will compete against the Porsche 911 and the Mercedes-AMG GT.
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BMW Files Trademark For A Trove Of 8 Series-Related Names
The long wait for the return of the BMW 8 Series is over. The German automaker recently filed trademark applications on a number of 8 Series-related names, marking the first concrete step that BMW is planning to bring back the car it once referred to as its flagship model. Among the names that were trademarked with global intellectual property regulators include 825, 830, 835, 850, 845, 860, M850, and M8.
A source inside BMW confirmed to Auto Express that the trademark of these names are part of a bigger plan that also involves the 6 Series. Apparently, BMW is making a reshuffling of its GT lineup after identifying the 6 Series as the automaker’s official answer to both the Porsche 911 and the Mercedes-AMG GT. As such, the 6 will be developed to become a full-bred, two-seater sports car to compete against the 911 and AMG-GT, leaving a hole in the company’s lineup for a premium performance GT. That hole, it appears, will be filled up by the returning 8 Series.
Specific details about the 8 Series have yet to be revealed, but it does look like BMW will be going all-in on the new model with an assortment of different variants, including a range-topping version that will more or less morph into the M8. Look for this model to compete against the cream of the crop in the luxury-performance segment. That includes cars like the Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe and the Bentley Continental GT.
Engine-wise, BMW can go a number of directions on what it wants the 8 Series to come with. The likely choice would the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 that’s already in use by a number of M-badged models but don’t be surprised if the company also looks in the direction of the 7 Series’ V-12 engine. After all, the first iteration of the M8 was supposed to be powered by a V-12 before BMW decided on scrapping the project altogether because of a lack of interest from customers.
Rest assured, BMW’s customers are far more sophisticated than they’ve ever been and whatever perceived "lack of interest" in the 8 Series and the M8 is unlikely to be a problem now.
Continue after the jump to read the full story.
