Styled by Klaus Kapitza, the original Eight was the brand’s flagship grand tourer that offered buyers not only a series of luxuries wrapped in a shape that was to become iconic, but also with a choice of eight-and-twelve cylinder engines.
Revived last year though after production had ended in 1999, the 8 Series has finally touched down on local shores, and I travelled to Cape Town to sample not only it but also the much anticipated, all-new Z4.
8 Series
There is no way to describe it but in my opinion, little can touch the new Eight from a design perspective – it is absolutely beautiful and a true piece of art. Blessed with a long bonnet and a low-slung stance, sculptured front and rear bumpers and an expansive kidney grille with active air vents, the 8 Series is both stunning to look at and probably rates as the most aesthetically gifted BMW on sale today.
That interior
Getting inside the 8 Series, it becomes clear that BMW has managed to bridge the gap nicely between a luxury coupe and a sporty GT. Unlike most BMWs, the Eight sees the return of the driver-focused cockpit wrapped in a new design, highlighted by a more uncluttered and minimalist look.
On top of the facia, one will find the new 10.25-inch iDrive infotainment system with the 7.0 operating system, a smaller display for the climate control and the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that forms part of BMW’s Live Cockpit Professional layout.
The most noticeable feature though is the centre console that can optionally be had with a glass-like finish for the gear lever, iDrive Controller and buttons on the transmission tunnel.
One of the biggest criticisms of the interior, however, is the lack of space in the rear, despite BMW touting the 8 Series as being a four-seater. That said, the boot is large for a coupe with BMW claiming a luggage capacity of 420-litres.
8 Series on the move
Under its seductive bonnet, the 8 Series hides an old friend in that the model carrying the M850i designation comes with a revised version of the 4.4-litre TwinPower turbo V8 engine that powers the M5. In this guise, the motor delivers 390 kW and 750 N.m, which,like the M5, is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed Steptronic gearbox.
As to be expected, the assisted bent-eight comes with a typical turbocharged growl accompanied by the usual pops and bangs, which will result in the 8 Series completing the 0-100 km/h sprint in 3.7 seconds and on to a top speed limited to 250 km/h.
Verdict
As impressive as the 8 Series is I found it to be more of a comfortable cruiser than a proper sports car. It is a continent devouring machine that will get you from point A-Z in sheer luxury and without any effort.
Despite being priced at R1 887 827, the M850i is not short on the usual range of extras, meaning there is some merit in its placing at the sharp-end of the BMW model lineage.
Z4
As mentioned, the unveiling of the 8 Series also culminated in the launch of the new Z4 that first bowed at the Paris Motor Show last year.
Roadster with heritage
Continuing on from the previous Z4, the newcomer boasts a distinct American-look about it with a large bonnet and short wheelbase. Looking unlike any current BMW model, the Z4 nonetheless rates as the most striking iteration made to date, with strong character lines running down the side and a rear facia design that resembles that of the Z8.
A departure from its predecessor though is that the hard-top has been replaced by a soft-top which BMW says has not impacted on handling, and which has resulted in a 50 kg weight loss. With the roof up, boot space is rated at a relatively spacious 281-litres.
The familiarity inside
Inside, BMW has kept the Z4 mostly unchanged from the 8 Series with the same iDrive display, climate control system and the digital instrument cluster. Everything is driver-focused and as one would expect, made from good quality materials with a typically solid BMW feel. However, I did find the cupholders in the centre armrest to be rather annoying.
Taking on the Cape
For South Africa, the Z4 is offered with two engines; a turbocharged 2.0-litre in the sDrive 20i that punches out 145 kW and 320 N.m, and the model I found myself in, the M40i that utilises a 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six making 250 kW and 500 N.m.
Putting fears of the old Z4 aside in the handling department, the new model inspires much more confidence, especially when taking on the Cape’s revered mountain passes, as is manages to respond with aplomb towards driver feedback, despite the rear wanting to break loose from time-to-time.
Complete with the same pops and bangs as the M850i, the Z4 M40i will send you riding a wave of inline-six noise from 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, while the sDrive 20i will reach the same in a claimed 6.6 seconds. Top speed for this model is pegged at 240 km/h and at 250 km/h for the M40i.
Verdict
I found the Z4 M40i to be a fun little roadster with quite a bit of grunt. It can go from a mountain pass dominating animal to a compliant open top cruiser at the touch of a button. It’s easy to drive fast, it has loads of grip and really does deliver an entertaining drive.
Pricing
sDrive 20i Sport Line - R759 442
sDrive 20i M Sport - R782 642
M40i - R1 036 699
M40i First Edition - R1 170 799
