BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe Leaked Ahead of Official Debut
In case you weren’t sure if BMW was going to fill the gaping hole left in its lineup by the departure of the 6 Series Gran Coupe, early official photos have confirmed that it will. Recently leaked photos of the 8 Series Gran Coupe were confirmed by BMW to Car and Driver to be real and valid, coming ahead of the official unveiling on June 18th.
With a sleek, sloping roofline that leads to a duckbill lip on the decklid, the M850i xDrive Gran Coupe combines all of the low-slung presence of the Coupe with the practicality of 4-doors. The upward kick of the tail of the GC is much more aggressive than what is found on the Coupe. This could be form following function in order to maintain rear stability in this longer-roofed variant.
I have to say that I like this much better than the continuous downward slope on the rears of the Audi S7, Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 4-door Coupe, or Porsche Panamera models.
Effectively replacing the 6 Series Gran Coupe in the lineup, the 8 Series GC will move further upscale to reside beside the M850i xDrive Coupe, which starts at $111,900. They will both feature a 523-hp twin-turbocharged V8 and all-wheel drive.
The last remaining 6 Series that is available is the $70,300 640i xDrive Gran Turismo — because people actually buy them, apparently. So, unless BMW rolls out lesser variants of the 8 Series than the M850i models, it may not be the same 6 Series buyer that makes the stretch to the 8.
Hopefully buyers will actually option their cars with 2-tone interiors, like the one shown here. Monotone black interiors are just too boring for cars that should otherwise be engaging to drive and own. The rear seat backs take on a cool cobra look that would be lost in a monotone finish.
With the M8 Coupe looming, it is a foregone conclusion that an M8 Gran Coupe will follow. It is expected to pack the twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 of the M5, providing 600 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque to all 4 wheels, while retaining the selectable rear-wheel drive mode.
[Images: BMW via carbuyer.com.sg]
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.
More by Anthony Magagnoli
Latest Car Reviews
Read moreLatest Product Reviews
Read moreRecent Comments
- VoGhost The Recon will be Stellantis' best vehicle.
- Tom Batsios 2017, JL? Not likely. I had a 2018 JK. The JL came for the late 2018 model. I now have the 2024 JL for which I had to wait 3 months. It came with the 3.6 and manual transition.
- 1995 SC Dacia Sandero
- Bd2 Anal has been posting as my username again. My imports are : Hyundai Galloper, the original asian offroad SUV copied by the Isuzu Trooper, Izuzu Montero and Toyota Land Cruiser.
- Jeff Heard about this on You Tube. Not a fan of Stellantis but then there are those here who like them which is their prerogative.
Comments
Join the conversation
Indigo and linen 2-tone Nappa leather interior has been available in the Chrysler 300C for the past 5 model years. A striking color combination.
So BMW is copying the Panamera?? also i see a sedan............wheres the coupe???