Replacing the 6-series with production set to commence in November at BMW’s Dingolfing plant where the 7-series is made, the eight becomes the latest model to ride on the Munich giant’s CLAR platform, with respective measurements of 4 834mm in overall length, a wheelbase of 2 822mm, height of 1 341mm and width of 1 902mm.
As evident by the series of spy images, official teasers and the concept shown at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in May last year, the production 8-series adopts BMW’s latest styling language in the form of a wider kidney grille as on the X2 and new X5 with added active air vents to aid aerodynamics, standard LED headlights claimed to be the slimmest fitted on any production BMW to date, oval tipped dual exhausts, L-shaped LED taillights, a 6-series inspired integrated boot spoiler, double bubble roof and two optional exterior packages with their own assortment of trim pieces; M Sport and Chrome Line.
Available with a carbon fibre roof as well as other carbon trim pieces as an option, the 8-series’ interior is a nod to that of the X5 in that it gets BMW’s 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.25-inch iDrive infotainment system as standard, the latter with the new 7.0 operating system and incorporating both Gesture Control, a 20GB hard drive, dual USB ports, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and BMW Connected Service.
Like the X5, the 8-series also sports BMW’s Digital Key which allows users to lock and unlocks the doors through their smartphones via the BMW App, while an assortment of material finishes can had along with a glass gear lever insert and a choice of three audio systems; the standard 11-speaker setup, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround system or a 16-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Diamond with partly illuminated speakers.
BMW has not skipped on safety with the 8-series’ driver assistance and safety catalogue, either optional or standard, consisting of Active Cruise Control with Steering Lane Assist, Lane Keeping Assistant, Lane Departure Warning, Rear Collision Warning, Lane Change Warning, Priority as well as Wrong-way warning, Night Vision system, Parking Assistant, 360 degree camera, colour Heads-Up Display and selective beam headlights with laserlight technology providing a range of 600 metres.
Underneath the skin, the 8-series comes fitted with the brand’s Active M suspension incorporating electronic dampers as standard, in addition to Integral Active Steering, a four mode M Drive selector (Eco, Comfort, Sport and Sport+), optional Active Roll Stabilisation system and a four-piston front brake caliper setup with a single unit at the rear.
Aside from the standard ventilated discs, the M Sport package comes with upgraded 395mm discs identified by blue M badged calipers. On all models, the 8-series rides on 18-inch alloy wheels, upgraded to 19-inch M light alloys with the M Sport box ticked. Alternatively, buyers can opt for 20-inch light alloys finished in Frozen Cerium Grey metallic with a gloss polished face.
In Europe, the 8-series will go on sale with a choice of two engines; a 3.0-litre straight-six turbodiesel in the 840d xDrive developing 320kW/680Nm or a retuned version of the M5’s 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 in the M850i xDrive that kicks-out 390kW/750Nm. No information on the much rumoured M8 was however released.
As evident by the designation, both models are equipped with xDrive all-wheel drive delivering the grunt to the black stuff via the sports optimised version of the eight-speed Steptronic gearbox. While BMW has not divulged any top speed figures, it does claimed a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.9 seconds for the 840d and 3.7 seconds for the M850i with fuel consumption ratings of 6.2-litres/100km and 10.5-litres/100km.
In its home market, pricing will start at €100 000 (R1 586 860) sans options for the 840d with the M850i retailing from €125 700 (R1 994 683). BMW South Africa has meanwhile confirmed that the 8-series will touching down next year.
