BMW 8 Series G15

When BMW introduced the 8 Series in 1989, it changed the luxury car segment in a big way. Discontinued in 1999, the 8 Series returned nearly two decades later in 2018.

The creation of the M8 would mark a premiere for Bavaria Motors, which didn’t get the M treatment in the 1990s. While BMW did make a prototype, it eventually decided there was no market for the M8 and the project was scrapped. Times have clearly changed, with Mercedes already offering AMG versions of the S-Class coupe and Bentley offering the Continental GT Speed. For a few years now, BMW has needed the M8 to keep up with the competition.

BMW has announced the price, specs and release date for its new flagship sports car, the BMW 8 Series Coupe. The new model gets stunning looks, performance that bothers some supercars, and an interior filled with technology and is relatively practical for a sports car.

You’ll be able to buy the BMW 8 Series G15 starting in June 2018, with the first cars being delivered in January 2019. The 8 Series will be BMW’s flagship competing with four-seat coupes such as the Lexus LC500 , Mercedes S-Class Coupe and even the two-seat Jaguar F-Type.

And we begin our review of the 2018 BMW 8 Series.

Appearance

The BMW 8 Series Coupe reflects the style in the BMW Concept 8. This car was first shown at the Villa d’Este timed classic car show in Italy. It is a sleek design with an imposing appearance that reflects the “shark nose” styling of BMW’s great touring cars of the 1980s. BMW’s signature grilles are wider and feature flaps that smooth airflow at speed, improving fuel economy.

Grilles surrounded by standard LED headlights that are thinner than any other BMW. Laser lights with a range of 600 meters are optional. A huge spoiler with huge air intakes completes the front end appearance and gives the 8 Series the presence you expect from a performance sports car. Move to the side of the car and you’ll notice the gills behind the front wheels, which along with the perfectly flat underside help with aerodynamics, while the slopes over the front and rear wheels give the car a muscular look. The rear of the car gets a pair of thick exhaust pipes, a rear diffuser and slim LED taillights.

Having already seen the standard 8 Series, it was easy to envision what the M8 would look like. The fact that BMW released the 8 Series with the M850i trim also helped, as the top-of-the-range model lifts the veil of difference between the standard coupe and the M8. With these leaked photos out in the open, it is confirmed that the M8 is indeed very similar to the M850i.

The front fascia is identical above the bumper, with the same wide grille and narrow headlights with sharp angles. However, while the standard model has a chrome grille, the M8 has an all-black element. That’s also where the “M8” badge appears. The bumper has a slightly different design. The side vents have been redesigned and feature black trim, while the center vent is wider towards the bottom. Both vents have honeycomb-shaped grilles and the splitter is slightly larger than the M850i. The carbon diffuser is also more aggressive and the rectangular exhaust pipes have been replaced with round tailpipes.

The profile hasn’t changed much in terms of design. The side skirts and fenders are the same, but the front fender has a modified grille and modified mirror caps. The multi-spoke wheels finished in black are unique to this model. A carbon fiber roof should be standard equipment. On the trunk, BMW has fitted a carbon fiber spoiler. The carbon diffuser is also more aggressive, while the rectangular exhaust pipes have been replaced by a pair of round outlets on each side.

BMW may also tamper with the 8 Series’ advanced aerodynamic system and upgrade the active flap control unit in the grille.

Engine

Let’s talk about the performance of the BMW 8 Series.

In the new BMW G14 G15, you can choose between one gasoline and one diesel engine, but we had the chance to drive the high-performance M850i with only the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 gasoline engine. This is closely related to the engine in the latest BMW M5, but instead of 600 hp as in the M5, the 8 Series deals with “only” 530 hp. Either way, the M850i can still hit 0-62mph in just 3.7 seconds.

Two turbochargers help the V8 produce an amazing 750nm of torque – a measure of the amount of thrust it can produce – from just 1,800rpm.

While the BMW G15 gasoline model is undoubtedly impressive, the 640d diesel’s combination of fuel efficiency and fuel economy could prove irresistible. It will accelerate from 0-100 kilometers per hour in just 4.9 seconds. Whichever model you choose, the 2018 BMW 8 Series Coupe comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission that delivers subtle changes when cruising and quick manual shifts when pushed. The gearbox is also linked to the car’s satellite navigation system, so it will shift between gears to assist braking when approaching an intersection.

Another standard feature you get in the BMW G15 is all-wheel drive, which will help the car put down power even on slippery, wet roads. In normal driving, however, the car sends all of its power to the rear wheels to save fuel, and the system can even be set up to allow the 8 Series to slide around corners if you ever get on it on a track. The BMW 8 Series Coupe should feel surprisingly nimble in such an environment. The car’s roof, doors, hood, and front bulkhead (which separates the engine from the cabin) are made of lightweight aluminum. Lightweight magnesium and carbon fiber (CFRP) are also used in the car’s construction, and the roof and other body parts can also be made of carbon fiber at an additional cost. These materials should make the 8 Series light for its size, though BMW hasn’t yet said how much this will cost.

What we do know is that the 8 Series will feature four-wheel steering, which will make it feel more maneuverable in corners and also make it more agile at slow speeds in the city. To get the most out of the 8-Series on twisty country roads, you might also consider the optional roll stabilization system, which uses electric motors to keep the car from leaning in corners.

However, even with the basic suspension setup, the 8 Series can switch between a soft setting that soaks up bumps well to a firmer setting that helps keep body lean in tight corners.

Interior

Get behind the wheel of the BMW 8 Coupe and you’ll find an interior that looks completely different from other BMW models. The wide center console and tall transmission tunnel envelope you in the driver’s seat, making it feel sporty. The most obvious transition from other BMWs is the center console, which is angled toward the driver, making you feel like the center of attention.

Still, the quality of the material looks better than what you’ll find in most other BMWs. The 8 Series is fitted with soft Merino leather seats as standard, and the same leather is used to cover the interior surfaces of the doors and dashboard.

The car shown in our video also features plenty of metallic details and a glass and crystal gearshift mechanism to help the car appeal to you if you’ve previously considered more expensive models like the Aston Martin DB11 AMR or Bentley Continental GT.

The 8 Series’ interior is also unique compared to the other models, but it doesn’t share too many details with the concept car. The M8 will get a nearly identical layout, starting with a wide center console that rises to the dashboard to separate the driver and front passenger areas.

This will house most of the main control functions, including those for the audio system and air conditioning. Other functions will be accessed via a freestanding 10.25-inch infotainment display in the upper section.

The new screen is part of BMW Live Cockpit Professional, which also includes an all-digital 12.3-inch dashboard that shares graphics with the X5 SUV and the upcoming Z4. However, the M8 will get custom graphics and dials and at least one more mode for sporty driving. The aluminum trim will carry over from the standard model, but BMW should also add a few carbon fiber elements, at least on the options list.

The 8 Series sports seats will be replaced by racing seats with stiffer support. The front seats will also have a semi-electric folding function on each backrest to make it easier for rear seat passengers to get in and out.

Leather and alcantara will be standard, but the M8 will probably get more of the latter for its motorsport-inspired image. Unlike the 8 Series, which can have a variety of upholstery colors, including two-tone upholstery, the M8 will be mostly black. Other distinctive M features include pedals, a driver’s footrest, custom mats, illuminated sill plates and, of course, “M8” badges.

The audio system should get an upgrade for this model, so the standard 11-speaker system will probably be replaced by the 16-speaker Harman Kardon system that is optional in the regular coupe. A fully active 16-speaker 16-channel sound system from Bowers & Wilkinson will also be available for the M8.

Features

While the BMW 8 Series Coupe sacrifices some practicality in the name of style, you can still expect it to be relatively fit for this type of car. Long slides mean you can slide the front seats right back so even very tall adults can get comfortable in the front, plus electric seat adjustment comes as standard and has a memory function so you can return the seat to its place when someone else has used it.

We’ve yet to test the 8 Series’ rear seats, but judging by the photos, we can expect them to be quite practical (at least for a sports car) with room for adults. However, the sloping roof line means the height margin is likely to be higher if you have taller passengers.

On the other hand, the BMW has a decent trunk that will happily swallow two people’s luggage – the Lexus LC’s trunk is less than half its size – and the BMW’s rear seats can “split” and fold into the floor if you have longer loads. Another handy feature is the standard Comfort Access Pack, which allows you to open and close the trunk hands-free.

You’ll also get plenty of small spaces for carry-on luggage, including large door pockets, an oversized glove box, two cup holders, and a large storage area under the front center armrest.

M8 power

Regarding the technical specifications of the BMW 8, this is probably the most important part, especially since we are expecting a very powerful car. Both Mercedes-Benz and Bentley offer over 600 horsepower in the AMG S65 and Continental GT Speed respectively, BMW should do more in the new M8.

BMW has already confirmed that the M8 will feature a “high-revving V-8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology.” That basically means an improved version of the 4.4-liter V-8 already available in the M850i xDrive, with 523 horsepower.  The engine will be mated to the M’s fully variable all-wheel drive system, which can send all power to the rear wheels. The M8 will have a customized 2WD mode, so you can enjoy the grand tourer in all its rear-wheel drive glory. BMW also claims that the M8 will have a lower center of gravity, even weight distribution and wider track front and rear.

BMW estimates that the V-8 engine will require about 10.8 to 10.7 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers. This is only slightly more than the M850i’s 10.5 liters per 100 km. CO2 emissions are estimated at 246 to 243 grams per km combined.

While not very likely, the M8 may also have a V-12 option. That would be great, considering the original 8 Series had one too. If that happens, the V-12 could come from the M760Li, which features a 6.6-liter twin-turbo V-12. That unit produces 600 horsepower and 590 Newtons per meter of torque in the 7 Series, and should be more torquey in the M8. Considering the Mercedes-AMG S65 is good for 621 horsepower, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the BMW develop power toward the 650 horsepower mark.

The V-12-powered M8 is also likely to come with AWD, giving it an advantage over the Merc RWD-only. This would be most noticeable in the acceleration department, as the M8 can hit 100 kilometers per hour, in less than 3.7 seconds. As with most BMWs, the M8 should only come with an automatic transmission.

Options

While the BMW 8 Series will behave interestingly when you’re not in the mood, a suite of smart technology means it can help you get your driving job done.
The standard kit includes automatic cruise control – it can match the speed of the car ahead, before returning to a pre-selected cruising speed when the way is clear. You also get automatic emergency braking, which will apply the brakes if the windshield camera detects an imminent collision with another car, pedestrian, cyclist or large animal.

For a really smart package, however, you’ll have to pay extra for BMW Personal Co-Pilot, which can self-drive on the highway and in slow-moving queues. To make the system work, all you have to do is keep your hands on the steering wheel.

The M8 will benefit from the same safety and driving assistance features introduced in the 8 Series. The package will include Personal Co-Pilot, a suite of driver assistance technologies that give the coupe semi-autonomous capability. Using camera images and data provided by ultrasonic and radar sensors, it monitors the car’s environment and takes action based on the environment and traffic around the car.

The standard cruise control system already includes automatic braking and collision and pedestrian warning with City Braking, but the M8 may also get optional Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go. Other highlights include Active Parking Distance Control (PDC) with front and rear sensors and Driving Assistant Professional, which adds steering and lane-keeping assistant and cross-traffic alert.

The Performance coupe will use the 8 Series’ basic underpinnings, but the M division will modernize some components to improve dynamics. The 8 Series’ suspension system, which combines a double wishbone front axle and a five wishbone rear axle, will be carried over, but the M8 will get stiffer springs, new torsion bars and revised shock absorber plates.

A special Adaptive M update will upgrade the electronically controlled dampers and the Integral Active Steering system, which reduces traffic circles and increases maneuverability. The rear-wheel steering system will be standard. The standard 8 Series already uses the M-developed brake system in the M850i, but the M8 will get an even better system with multi-piston calipers at all corners and ventilated discs. Naturally, both units will be bigger, for serious braking power.

Generations and configurations

Generation 2