BMW Teases 'Mystery Sedan' Prior to Geneva Debut

Matt Posky
by Matt Posky
bmw teases 8216 mystery sedan prior to geneva debut

Earlier today, BMW posted an image of an upcoming concept sedan that left us scratching our heads. With its ultra-low roofline and incredibly long hood, we wondered if someone in the company drafted a redux of the BMW CS Concept. As it turns out, that’s kind of what happened.

If you remember, the CS Concept was unveiled in 2007 as BMW’s new flagship sedan — basically a new 8 Series with four doors. However, the global economy fell directly into the toilet the following year and destroyed any hope of it becoming a reality. A decade later, rich people are richer than ever and BMW has already confirmed its Concept 8 Series coupe will begin production in 2018. Based on visual cues, the above rendering appears to show us the sedan variant of that vehicle.

We’re not alone in thinking this either, BMW Blog claims the show car has already been dubbed the M8 Concept Gran Coupe and will eventually enter production as the “practical” alternative to the twin-doored 8 Series. The working theory is that 8 Series sedans will come equipped with a gentle 4.4-liter biturbo V8 and an eight-speed automatic. However, the rumor mill suspects the M760Li’s 6.6-liter V12 will also eventually find its way over.

Regardless of engine, you’ll see stupid amounts of horsepower — with even the most pedestrian powerplant likely pushing 600-plus horsepower.

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, though. We’ve yet to establish if this is, in fact, the Concept Gran Coupe that has been whispered about on automotive forums for the last year. But how could it be anything else? Look at the shape of the C-pillar; look at the sporty hindquarters; look at the ridiculously long hood. That thing is just begging for a juicy twin-turbocharged V12 beneath the bonnet.

Whatever it is, (it’s the M8 Concept Gran Coupe) BMW says there will be “more to come in Geneva next week.” Whether or not that translates into a physical manifestation cropping up at the motor show remains to be seen. The image is tweaked to a point where we don’t know if we’re looking at a doctored image of a real car or a digital rendering. Either way, you won’t be able to wear a hat inside it.

[Image: BMW Group]

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  • EX35 EX35 on Feb 28, 2018

    Here’s a concept: make a car that is designed to last for more than 50k miles.

    • Stuki Stuki on Feb 28, 2018

      ...And that's some sort of driving machine. As in, for drivers. Rather than a runflat and slush box equipped, overweight, turbo-dulled bore.

  • Kratos Kratos on Feb 28, 2018

    About time they made a car that looks sleek and suggestive

    • See 1 previous
    • Cognoscenti Cognoscenti on Mar 05, 2018

      @Lorenzo Take that back! One of my favorite features of the many BMWs I've owned has been an upright seating position and the ability to see out of the thing.

  • VoGhost So, it's a slow, expensive, cramped Plaid with less range?
  • Dukeisduke Why the hell doesn't Farley just resign? Why hasn't Bill Ford fired him? I lay all this at Farley's feet.
  • Dukeisduke I tried watching the livestream (I'm a MT+ subscriber), but after 15 minutes of jawing by the presenters, I got bored and turned it off. I may watch it this weekend, when I can fast forward through that stuff, to get to the reveal.
  • Dukeisduke Electric power steering, I assume. First-gen Chevy Cruzes can suffer from similar issues, usually traceable to a flaky battery negative cable, a $10 OEM part. Weird, huh?
  • Kwik_Shift Once 15 Minute Cities start to be rolled out, you won't be far enough away from home to worry about range anxiety.
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