The 2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe is a four-door coupe version of the 2020 8 Series, released in 2019. Just like the 2020 8 Series replaced the 6 Series, the 2020 8 Series Gran Coupe replaces the 6 Series Gran Coupe. This new, modern, sporty, and powerful sedan is a better alternative to the popular Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class and the Audi A7.

Often described as BMW's new flagship model, the 2020 8 Series actually slots below the 7 Series, at least when it comes to size. So instead of a new alternative to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Audi A8, the 8 Series aims to make BMW relevant in the luxury four-door coupe niche. Does it have what it takes to compete? Well, it looks good, it's powerful enough, and has all the cool tech. But it's a bit expensive. Let's find out more in the review below.

2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe Exterior

Just like the other Gran Coupe models of past and present, the 8 Series Gran Coupe is a four-door version of the 8 Series coupe it is based on. It's just as sleek as the two-door, but it’s longer and more practical thanks to an additional pair of doors and more room for passenger.

It doesn't take more than a glimpse to notice that Gran Coupe is virtually identical to the regular 8 Series in the front. It has the same massive and sleek grille, slender headlamps with optional Laserlight technology, a sporty front splitter, and large air intakes in the bumper.

The Gran Coupe’s profile is heavily based on the concept car we saw earlier in 2019. From the nose to the B-pillars, the Gran Coupe is again identical to the standard 8 Series. It's the section from the B-pillars to the deck lid that sets this car apart. There's a longer wheelbase, rear doors, and a reshaped roof. The front section of the roof is a bit taller that coupe's, while the front doors are shorter. This is far from unusual, as two-door coupes usually have longer doors than their four-door sedan counterparts.

The rear windows are obviously larger now and their design is not as sleek as the coupe’s, which features smaller quarter windows. The roof line retains a coupe-style shape toward the rear, so the 8 Series Gran Coupe is not as boxy as the 7 Series. BMW also managed to keep the size and shape of the deck lid in place. It's good to have a solid deck lid against a legend like the Mercedes-Benz CLS.

Not surprisingly, the rear section looks identical to the standard 8 Series. There’s a big spoiler integrated into the trunk lid, slim, two-piece taillights, vertical bumper vents to the sides, and a sporty diffuser with big exhaust pipes. Not exactly spectacular for a brand-new vehicle, but hey, the regular 8 Series looks really cool, so BMW made the right choice here.

Size-wise, the Gran Coupe is obviously bigger than the two-door 8 Series. At 200 inches long, the Gran Coupe is almost 10 inches longer than the two-door version. Eight of these 10 extra inches go into the sedan’s wheelbase, which comes in at 119 inches. The Gran Coupe is also 1.2 inches wider and sits 2.2 inches taller compared to the coupe.

Compared to its spiritual predecessor, the 6 Series Gran Coupe, the 8 Series Gran Coupe is only marginally bigger. Specifically, it's almost three inches longer and 1.5 inches wider. However, the 8 Series Gran Coupe is smaller than the 7 Series. The latter is 0.7 inches longer in regular trim and 6.2 inches longer in LWB spec. This further confirms that the 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn't take over as a range-topping sedan, but remains slightly below the 7 Series full-size.

2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe Interior

Similarities between the Gran Coupe and the regular 8 Series continue inside the cabin. Get into the driver or the front passenger seat and you'll feel just like in the two-door coupe. You have to ignore the shorter door, but other than that, the Gran Coupe is identical in the front compartment.

It has the same wide center console that rises toward the dashboard to separate the driver and front passenger areas and the same free-standing and frameless, 10.25-inch infotainment display. The all-digital instrument cluster measures a whopping 12.3 inches. Both display provide access to BMW's Live Cockpit Professional system with iDrive 7 and a range of cool technologies and apps.

It also includes a state-of-the-art navigation system, two USB ports, and Bluetooth interfaces. The infotainment system has the ability to detect the driver and activate specific settings by downloading a profile from the BMW Cloud or through the vehicle key. The tablet-like touch interface includes new haptic controls so you can browse functions by touching, swiping, and pinching.

Standard technology includes remote engine start, keyless entry, soft-close automatic doors, head-up display, SiriusXM satellite radio, wireless charging, WiFi hotspot, and a 464-watt, 16-speaker Harman-Kardon audio system.

When it comes to convenience features, the base 840i trim features a panoramic sunroof, heated sports seats, heated armrest, heated steering wheel, and Nappa leather on the dashboard. You can opt for a 1,400-watt audio system, glass controls (just like in the 8 Series coupe), multi-function seats, carbon-fiber trim, and an Alcantara headliner.

All seems identical to the coupe so far, but there a few departments where the Gran Coupe is different. First, it offers a bit more headroom in the front seats. Sure, the increase is rather small at 0.2 inches, but it's proof that BMW struggled to improve comfort. Second, rear-seat passengers benefit from notably more space thanks to the longer wheelbase and the genuine sedan-specific layout. BMW says that rear legroom increases by 7.1 inches compared to the two-door coupe. That's 36.6 inches, up from only 29.5 inches. Shoulder room for rear passengers is also up by 7.7 inches. While the coupe offers 46.9 inches, the Gran Coupe offers 54.6 inches.

The trunk is also bigger in Gran Coupe configuration, but not by much. While the two-door coupe takes up to 14.8 cubic feet of luggage, the Gran Coupe can swallow 15.5 cubic feet. That's an extra 0.7 cubic feet. But what's really important here is how the Gran Coupe fares against the competition. And there's good news and bad news here. The good news is that the Gran Coupe offers notably more room than the Mercedes-Benz CLS. The German sedan is rated at 11.9 cubic feet, so you get an extra 3.6 with the Bimmer. The bad news is that the 8 Series Gran Coupe is no match for the Audi A7, rated at a segment-leading 18.9 cubic feet, 4.5 more. Sadly, the Gran Coupe's loading area is just as narrow as the CLS', so fitting larger items into the trunk will be a struggle. The A7's trunk lid is a bit wider, while the tailgate system enables you to load larger items than you would in the Gran Coupe or CLS.

2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe Performance

Just like the two-door coupe, the Gran Coupe is offered with three engines. There are two gasoline units, which are the only versions in the U.S., and a diesel mill that's sold in Europe, where oil burners are far more popular.

The base gasoline model goes by the name 840i and features a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine. The turbocharged mill generates 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, just like in the coupe. This engine mates to an eight-speed sports transmission and send all the power to the rear wheels. The sprint to 60 mph takes 4.9 seconds, while top speed is limited to 130 mph. You can opt for a higher limiter placed at 155 mph. While the entry-level model is rear-wheel driven, you can opt for the xDrive variant with AWD. This version hits 60 mph in 4.6 seconds.

This version goes against the Mercedes-Benz CLS450. Also powered by a 3.0-liter inline-six, this Merc comes with 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. That's 27 horses more than the Bimmer. Also available with either RWD or AWD, the CLS450 is a bit slower to 60 mph. The former hits the benchmark in 5.1 seconds, while the latter will get you there in 4.8 seconds. That's two tenths slower than the 840i. The Audi A7 that competes in this niche, the 55 TFSI, is very similar as well. Powered by a 3.0-liter V-6, it benefits from 335 horses and 369 pound-feet, just like the Bimmer. The A7 is available with Quattro AWD only and it's the slower option, needing 5.2 seconds to hit 60 mph.

Next up is the performance-oriented M850i xDrive, powered by a 4.4-liter V-8 good for 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, also identical to the two-door coupe. This sedan charges to 60 mph in a scant 3.7 seconds and it will keep going until it hits a top speed of 155 mph. The M850i is the most powerful version now, but it will be superseded by the M8 Gran Coupe later in 2019. All-wheel drive is obviously standard for this version, as is the eight-speed sport transmission. However, this model comes with a few extra features compared to the 840i. For enhanced sportiness, BMW adds an M Sport differential, active steering, adaptive M suspension, an active roll stabilization system, and M Sport brakes.

This beefed-up Gran Coupe goes against the Mercedes-AMG CLS53 4Matic. Fitted with a 3.0-liter inline-six, it comes with 435 horsepower and 384 pound-feet, notably less than the Bimmer. However, its 48-volt hybrid system increases total output to 457 horses and 568 pound-feet. Charging to 60 mph in this model takes 4.4 seconds, notably slower than the M850i xDrive. Audi's proposition for this Bimmer is the S7, but it's not as powerful. With no mild hybrid system to back it up, the V-6 engine generates "only" 450 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. This translates into a 0-to-60 mph sprint of 4.5 seconds.

Finally, European customers can purchase a diesel version called the 840d xDrive. This four-door features a 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbodiesel that cranks out 315 horsepower and an impressive 501 pound-feet of torque. This model accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 5.1 seconds and up to a top speed of 155 mph.

Merc's main rival for this trim is the CLS400d 4Matic+. Powered by a 2.9-liter, six-cylinder turbodiesel, it generates 335 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of twist. With a 0-to-62 mph sprint of five seconds, it's a tenth-second quicker than the Bimmer. Audi also offers a diesel-powered A7, but it's not as powerful as the competition. The most potent model, powered by a 3.0-liter V-6, comes with 286 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of tap. Naturally, it's the slowest of the bunch, as it needs 5.7 seconds to hit 62 mph from a standing start.

2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe Chassis and Suspension

Just like the two-door model, the Gran Coupe rides on a bespoke suspension system that combines a double-wishbone axle in the front and a five-link axle in the rear. It also features electromechanical steering and a braking system developed specifically for this model.

The suspension setup is very similar to the Adaptive M layout used on full-fledged M model. It features electronically controlled dampers that can be adjusted via the Driving Experience Control switch and it includes Sport and Sport+ modes that activate optimal responses for maximum handling.

The Integral Active Steering, which comes standard, reduces the car’s turning circle and increases agility at moderate speeds. The Gran Coupe also comes with active rear wheels steering for enhanced cornering ability and stability at high speeds.

Stopping power comes from a braking system developed by the M division. It features four-piston calipers in the front, single-piston, floating calipers in the rear, and inner-vented brake discs.

2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe Safety

The safety package is obviously identical to the coupe, so the four-door comes with the Personal Co-Pilot suite of driver assistance technologies. Using camera images and data provided by ultrasonic and radar sensors, the system monitors vehicle surrounds and takes actions depending on the environment and the traffic around the car. It basically turns the 8 Series Gran Coupe into a semi-autonomous vehicle.

Cruise control ise standard and includes automatic braking and Collision and Pedestrian Warning with City Braking. The optional Active Cruise Control system adds a Stop & Go feature. The active Park Distance Control with sensors at the front and rear will be standard and will provide visual and acoustic warnings to avoid colliding with obstacles when parking. It’s also able to automatically select suitable parallel parking spaces and maneuver into them. Other optional features include the Driving Assistant Professional package, which adds Steering and Lane Control assistant and Crossing Traffic Warning.

2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe Prices

The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe retails from $84,900, plus $995 for destination. For this sticker, you get to take home the entry-level 840i version. If you opt for the all-wheel drive version, the sticker jumps to $87,800. The range-topping M850i xDrive model comes in at $108,900 before destination, which makes it a bit more affordable than the two-door coupe model, priced from $111,900.

When compared to its rivals, the Gran Coupe is by far the most expensive option. The Mercedes-Benz CLS450 comes in at $69,200, or $15,700 less than the 840i, while the Mercedes-AMG CLS53 retails from $79,900, which is $29,000 less than the M850i. The same goes when we compare it to Audi's four-door coupes, as the A7 comes in at $68,000, while the S7 fetches $81,200.

All told, the 8 Series Gran Coupe seems seriously overpriced compared to its rivals. And while the difference makes sense when compared to the not-so-powerful Audi A7, it doesn't seem right when compared to the Mercedes-Benz CLS in AMG trim.

2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe Competition

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

The CLS is the first vehicle in this niche, having started the four-door coupe trend back in 2004. Now in its third generation, the CLS is brand-new for the 2019 model year and features a new design language that's somewhat inspired by the AMG GT sports car. Tech-wise, the CLS is tough to beat, as it features the company's latest equipment, semi-autonomous drive, and all the luxury features you can get in this niche. The drivetrain lineup includes a range of gas and diesel engines, including a mild hybrid that pairs a 3.0-liter inline-six to an integrated starter/generator called EQ Boost. The gas engine cranks out 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of twist, while the EQ Boost provides an additional 21 horses and 184 pound-feet over short periods. All told, the drivetrain can deliver up to 383 horsepower and a whopping 553 pound-feet of torque. The AMG CLS53 model features a more powerful version of this drivetrain, rated at 457 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque when both the engine and the EQ Boost system work. But while it's more powerful than the standard model, the AMG CLS53 is nowhere near as powerful as the BMW M850i. Pricing starts from $69,200 for the CLS450 and from $79,900 for the AMG CLS53.

Read our full review of the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Audi A7

The A7 is also new, having been redesigned for the 2019 model year in North America. The four-door coupe is more aggressive than ever on the outside, sporting angular headlamps, a massive Singleframe grille, and sporty bumpers even in the least powerful trim. Its interior is unique, boasting a two-tier dashboard that combines sporty features with elegant inserts, while the seats are wrapped in leather. There are three massive displays that enable you to interact with the car. There's one at the top of the center console, one in the center stack, and an even bigger one behind the steering wheel. Just like the CLS, the A7 is using a mild hybrid system that pairs a gasoline engine to a 48-volt electrical system. The drivetrain delivers 340 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque, enabling the sedan to hit 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. The S7 version comes with 450 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque on tap. Prices start from $68,000 and $81,200, respectively.

Read our full story on the 2020 Audi A7

Conclusion

While the standard 8 Series is pretty much a more aggressive looking and luxurious replacement for the 6 Series, the Gran Coupe model is a car that BMW should have designed years ago. Sure, it's not the first Gran Coupe in the lineup, but this sedan is big and luxurious enough to give the Mercedes-Benz CLS and the Audi A7 a run for their money. What's more, it's sporty enough by design to compete with the really sleek CLS and the M850i trim, as well as the upcoming M8 model, grant BMW access to the niche dominated by AMG and RS vehicles. The only downside here is that the 8 Series Gran Coupe is significantly more expensive than the competition. And no feats outside the slightly more powerful drivetrains justify the massive premium over its Mercedes-Benz and Audi counterparts.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2020 BMW M8 Coupe.

Read our full review on the 2020 BMW 8 Series Convertible.

Read our full review on the 2019 BMW 8 Series.

Read our full review on the 2018 BMW M8 Gran Coupe..

Spy Shots

May 20, 2019 – 2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe; Is it a Pre-Production Prototype?

The last time we saw the 2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe testing, it was still covered in full camo, but it wasn’t padded, so we were able to get a decent look at what it will have to offer. This time we get a slightly better look thanks to that drop in camo. There’s nothing really all that new to talk about, though, and there’s no good reason as to why BMW has kept certain parts of the car covered. However, we can finally see what the insert \ fake diffuser-like element will look like, and it’s pretty clear that this thing will rock the fake exhaust outlets that have become so common these days. Those vents in the corners of the rear fascia could actually be functional, though, so that’s nice, and the vents in the fender will get that awesome chrome treatment. Since the car was on the back of a truck, it’s hard to make out any of the front end’s features, but we’ve already seen most of it anyway. Like the two-door model, the 8 Series GC will feature those excessively sharp lines in the front fascia. More important than any of this is the fact that the car is wearing a matte frozen grey finish – not a color that’s typically found on BMW prototypes and that tells us that this is most likely a pre-production prototype. Do you know what that means? It means that the 8 Series GC will likely debut sometime in the very near future.

Update 5/6/2019 – First BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe Teaser

Since we’ve seen the new 8 Series Gran Coupe in all its glory via some very fine spy shots, there’s not a whole lot left to the imagination. All of our spy shots thus far have featured the new 8 Series GC with no padding and typical BMW camo. Be that as it may, BMW has decided to tease it recently via Facebook and has actually given us an undisguised look at the car above the beltline. We decided the lighten the picture to see if there’s anything extra that we can see, but as you can tell from that image below, there just isn’t any data between the wheel wells, so we’ll have to wait a little longer to see the full car undisguised.

As far as the exterior design is concerned, it’ll basically be the 8 Series coupe but a little longer with two extra doors. Don’t expect there to be any extra body lines or design features in comparison to the coupe, but it should have a sleeker look thanks to the extra length. The interior will be as posh as they come with the finest technology BMW has on offer at the moment. The standard model should feature a 523-horsepower, 4.4-liter V-8 while the range-topping M8 Gran Coupe should pump out in excess of 600 horsepower. Expect the 8 Series Gran Coupe to debut sometime in mid-to-late 2019 as a 2020 model. The 2021 M8 Gran Coupe Should make its debut sometime in the middle of 2020.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2019 BMW 8 Series.

Read our full review on the 2019 BMW 8 Series.

Read our full speculative review on the 2019 BMW M8 Coupe.

Read our full speculative review on the 2019 BMW M8 Convertible.

Read our full review on the 2018 BMW M8 Gran Coupe Concept.

Read our full review on the BMW 8 Series Concept Coupe.

Read more BMW news.0}

Update 5/6/2019: BMW released a teaser of the 2019 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe, and We’ve decided to lighten the image to see if there are any extra details. Check it out in our special update section below.