2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe Officially Revealed

Anthony Magagnoli
by Anthony Magagnoli

While we got an early peek of the new 8 Series Gran Coupe via some leaked photos, the full lineup has now been revealed by BMW. The entry level 8 Series will be in the form of the rear-wheel drive 840i. With the 340 hp turbo inline-6, the cost of entry begins at $84,990, plus $995 destination. Meanwhile, the M850i xDrive will start at $109,895.

On many cars, the design of the rear seems like an afterthought — or possibly a feature designed by a separate team from the front. Either way, it’s rare that a rear end is the most striking part of a car’s design. Here, though, BMW has crafted such complexity and visual strength, that I find myself continuing to stare at the rear ¾ view.

The front end of the 8 Series Gran Coupe is a duplicate of the Coupe, while the A-pillar rearward is unique. The manufacturer states that the 8 Series Grand Coupe has, “More legroom than ever in a BMW coupe.” That’s because it’s not a coupe, BMW.

As compared to the Coupe, the GC is taller (+61mm), wider (+30mm), and longer (+231mm), with a wheelbase that’s been stretched by 201mm. Considering this car is actually likely to carry rear passengers, the shape had to change to provide the head and legroom necessary to house them. The form that is struck by as the C-pillar joins the rear of the car is muscular and distinctive. It is my personal opinion, but I strongly prefer a sharp definition to the end of a trunk lid — which every other 4-door coupe that I can think of lacks.

I suspect that BMW consciously designed the car to avoid the need for a motorized rear spoiler to create downforce. With weight management in mind, the doors, outer skin of the roof, hood, front shear panel, engine subframe, front bulkhead, and rear bumper support are all made from aluminum. That complex trunk lid is plastic, the cockpit support is magnesium, and carbon fiber-reinforced plastic is used in the center tunnel to reduce heft and maximize rigidity where necessary. As a result, the Grand Coupe’s weight gain was limited to 154 lbs. There will also be an optional carbon-fiber roof that will replace the heavy glass double sunroof and offer a lower the center of gravity.

With 2 engines available at launch, the 840i Gran Coupe will be offered with the aforementioned 3.0-liter twin-scroll turbo inline-6, making 340 hp and 369 ft-lbs. This will be routed through the 8-speed automatic to the rear wheels, through a standard M Sport active locking differential. All-wheel drive is offered in the 840i xDrive Gran Coupe and the M850i xDrive Gran Coupe. The 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 makes a stated 530 hp and 553 ft-lbs and will only be offered in the xDrive application. The M8 is expected to share the running gear with the current M5, including the AWD system.

The rear seats in the 8 Series Gran Coupe are formed to mimic the fronts, providing rear occupants an increased level of lateral support in the case of an enthusiastic chauffeur. The center console extends all the way to the rear of the cabin, all but negating the use of the back’s center seat. BMW calls it a 4+1-seater, but the belt is probably just there to appease some government agency on the off chance it gets used.

A multitude of interior finishes and colors will be available but I hope every buyer will option a 2-tone interior like that in the photos. Those rear seats look like they should be fitted to a car with a Shelby badge on it and that’s not a bad thing. The instrument panel and doors will feature leather wraps to compliment the chairs, which are sport seats as standard. However M Sport seats are available in M Sport package cars and the M850i xDrive Gran Coupe.

[Images: BMW]

Anthony Magagnoli
Anthony Magagnoli

Following 10 years in Toyota's Production Engineering division, Anthony spent 3 years as a Vehicle Dynamics Engineer for FCA. From modest beginnings in autocross, he won a NASA SpecE30 National Championship and was the 2017 Pirelli World Challenge TC Rookie of the Year. Aside from being a professional racecar driver, he is a private driving coach and future karaoke champion.

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  • SuperCarEnthusiast SuperCarEnthusiast on Jun 20, 2019

    If BMW powertrain were reliable, I would buy this 840 i’x! I scare that the engine will burn oil and oil leaks will be a nightmare experience as part of the BMW ownership experience!

  • DweezilSFV DweezilSFV on Jun 25, 2019

    OMG, that rear end is easily as bad as any Bangle butt era BMW. Horrible trunk cut line, lumps, bumps, scoops and ridiculous trunk lid/spoiler. What killed sedans was this bowing to a stupid "coupe" four door trend where all usefulness and practicality have been edited out for purposes of style. People intending to buy a sedan looked at the absurdity and bought CUVs. The front end is great. It just needs a major gluteous maximus-ectomy

  • 3-On-The-Tree I’m sure they are good vehicles but you can’t base that on who is buying them. Land Rovers, Bentley’ are bought by Robin Leaches’s “The Rich and Famous” but they have terrible reliability.
  • SCE to AUX The fix sounds like a bandaid. Kia's not going to address the defective shaft assemblies because it's hard and expensive - not cool.
  • Analoggrotto I am sick and tired of every little Hyundai Kia Genesis flaw being blown out of proportion. Why doesn't TTAC talk about the Tundra iForce Max problems, Toyota V35A engine problems or the Lexus 500H Hybrid problems? Here's why: education. Most of America is illiterate, as are the people who bash Hyundai Kia Genesis. Surveys conducted by credible sources have observed a high concentration of Hyundai Kia Genesis models at elite ivy league universities, you know those places where students earn degrees which earn more than $100K per year? Get with the program TTAC.
  • Analoggrotto NoooooooO!
  • Ted “the model is going to be almost 4 inches longer and 2 inches wider than its predecessor”Size matters. In this case there is 6” too much.
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