BMW's 8 Series Already Has Another Special Edition
It was only a handful of weeks after the returning 8 Series Coupe went on sale that BMW thought to release a celebratory one-off that incorporated real hunks of meteorite into the interior design. Well, BMW Individual is back at it again to produce another special edition.
Called the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe First Edition, it’s the obligatory aesthetic overhaul the brand likes to impose on most of its high-profile models in their first year. For the 8 Series, that means a limited run of the exclusive “Frozen Barcelona Blue” metallic paint and 20-inch, M-badged alloy wheels in onyx. The chrome detailing has also been substituted for a high-gloss black on the window frames, vents, grille, and tailpipes.
The interior is finished in ivory white and midnight blue leather with an Alcantara headliner, piano-lacquer black trim bits, and a sport steering wheel. BMW also included the upgraded Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System and gussied up the iDrive controls by implementing glass.
At an additional cost, the special-edition M850i xDrive Coupe can be ordered with an M-branded carbon fiber aero package or a carbon roof. But there are no mechanical upgrades; not that you’ll need them. The twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 already offers 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, which should be sufficient for most mature adults in the market for a collectible luxury coupe. With the eight-speed automatic transmission sending power to both axles, BMW claims the model should make the rush to 100 kph (62 mph) in 3.7 seconds.
Scheduled to begin assembly at BMW’s Dingolfing plant in Germany between April and June of this year, the new M850i xDrive Coupe First Edition will be limited to only 400 units global. Each will, of course, be individually numbered and come with the proper paperwork to prove to subsequent buyers that you splurged on the First Edition.
[Images: BMW]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
More by Matt Posky
Comments
Join the conversation
I STILL salivate over the first generation car, whether it be V-8, or V-12, and keep trying to find THE one that I can afford to buy. This new one, however, leaves me unimpressed. Yes, the interior is lovely, but the car as a whole (especially the exterior, IMO) seems to be a conglomeration of styling cues taken from current models; bulges, flares, and openings that look like asteroid impact craters. The previous generation was a sleek, quietly powerful looking artwork on wheels (except when the headlights were up!). I don't think this model will age nearly as gracefully...just my $0.02 worth!
About as captivating as Super(toilet)Bowl 53. Yeah, all the players showed up, but so what...