BMW Will Debut the Production Version of the 8 Series Coupe at the 24 Hours of Le Mans

TopSpeed

By Jonathan Lopez

Published May 14, 2018

We’re just a month away from seeing the new 8 Series in full-production glory

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.

The Full Story

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is just around the corner, and BMW is preparing to make quite the splash. This year’s race will be BMW’s first time competing at the iconic endurance event since 2011, and as such, it’s bringing the heat. The automaker has been working up to tackle the Circuit de la Sarthe with runs at the season opener at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in North America.

Taking its position on the grid will be the BMW M8 GTE, which is basically the racing version of the luxury street machine. BMW will enter two cars in the event.

While it’s definitely exciting stuff for racing fans, potential customers will instead be watching for the debut of the new 8 Series Coupe. BMW teased the production model with a single image, obscuring it behind the racing version with a fuzzy focus.

The Bavarians say they’ll bring the 8 Series in its M850i xDrive Coupe iteration, and that it’ll have much of the same speed tech as the GTE version.

That includes a turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 engine under the hood, which is expected to come to the party making over 520 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque.

Putting all that to the ground will be a high-performance AWD system and controlled rear axle differential lock, with an eight-speed automatic transmission making the cog swaps.

Turning the machine will be an Integral Active Steering system, while Adaptive M suspension with Active Roll Stabilization and four-wheel steering will both be included as standard.

Taking up residence under the fenders will be lightweight 20-inch alloy wheels, which will come wrapped in sticky high-performance rubber.

Combining performance with long-distance cruising and luxury, the new 8 Series is an absolutely critical model for BMW, leading the charge as it were by reviving a nameplate that’s been left on the shelf since 1999. As the brand’s large-and-in-charge two-door grand tourer model, BMW is sure to offer a variety of different iterations, including non-M versions and an even-faster M8 model some time in the future.

Look for an official reveal on June 15th, just one day before the 24 Hours of Le Mans kicks off.