8 Series Coupe is Coming Next Year, BMW Finally Confirms
It once sat at the pinnacle of BMW’s model podium, but cutting-edge technology, German opulence and a choice of eight or twelve cylinders couldn’t keep the 8 Series in production. It was only rival Mercedes-Benz’s decision to push the S-Class into the luxury stratosphere that compelled the Munich automaker to consider climbing the luxury ladder again.
Now, a year after the automaker trademarked a slew of 8 Series model names and insider sources assured us of its return, BMW has officially confirmed it. The 8 Series will reappear next year.
Before we get a look at the successor to the gorgeous 1989-1999 8 Series, we’ll first have to wait as BMW parades around a design concept. That show car — meant as an “exclusive look ahead” to the upcoming model — will appear at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on May 26.
Until then, there’s a teaser photo to mull over.
“The BMW 8 Series Coupe will build on our tradition of luxurious sports coupes and add a genuine dream car to our line-up – a slice of pure automotive fascination,” said Harald Krüger, BMW AG’s board chairman, in a statement. “The 8 Series Coupe will underpin our claim to leadership in the luxury segment. I can tell you today that this will be a true luxury sports coupe.”
Going by what we can see of the design concept, BMW is going for sleek athleticism with the resurrected 8 Series. The model is expected to appear in coupe form in late 2018. A convertible should follow, along with sportier M variants.
Because of the wide range of trademarked model names, it’s safe to assume well-heeled buyers will have some choice in powerplants. A 12-cylinder option is expected to return — after all, what’s the point in owning Rolls-Royce if you can’t spread around components? One thing is for certain: the 8 Series will certainly not come cheap, given its status as a bridge between BMW’s 7 Series and the Rolls range.
A source tells Automotive News Europe pricing will start around $165,000.
[Image: BMW AG]
More by Steph Willems
Latest Car Reviews
Read moreLatest Product Reviews
Read moreRecent Comments
- SCE to AUX I am generally anti-union.To win over the workers, the UAW has to convince them that:[list][*]The court of public opinion (internet, social media, local/national news) is insufficient to air their gripes (it's not).[/*][*]The Company is in sustained violation of established workplace regulations for comfort, safety, and well-being (unlikely).[/*][*]Paying union dues is worth the artificial bump in pay and benefits (it's not).[/*][*]The UAW can actually protect their jobs (they can't).[/*][*]Adding labor contention via unionization is worth the risk of the company relocating the plant to a more friendly location (it's not).[/*][*]Strike pay over the holidays is great compensation for all the free time you get (it's not).[/*][*]The UAW leadership won't put themselves first (they will).[/*][/list]
- ToolGuy You say V8, but I only see 3 spark plug wires? Pretty sure this is a V3.
- ToolGuy The Supercharger in the last picture: Is it 2B, or not 2B?
- 1995 SC "But your author does wonder what the maintenance routine is going to be like on an Italian-German supercar that plays host to a high-revving engine, battery pack, and several electric motors."If you have to ask...
- Loser I love these MN12 vehicles. We had a 92 Cougar, my dad had an 89, mom and brother both had T-birds. Wife and I still talk about that car and wish they still made cars like these. It was a very good car for us, 130,000 miles of trouble free and comfortable driving. Sold it to a guy that totaled it a month after purchase. Almost bought a 97 T-bird the 4.6 when I found out it was the last of them but the Cougar was paid for and hard to justify starting payments all over.
Comments
Join the conversation
This should make the Gen I 850i V12 more than merely cheap - it should be free! There's one in my area but I'm too busy to own one.
In my town (and probably in many, many others), the most inconsiderate, self-absorbed and infraction-committing I'm-in-a-hurry-so-screw-all-of-you drivers are in Mustangs and BMWs. The Mustangs are driven by the children of the wealthy, and I don't know, or care to know, who are driving the BMWs. So the announcement of another line of expensive, opulent and fast BMWs is about as exciting as a 2-for-1 sale at the Piggly Wiggly on cottage cheese. It's automotive news, sure, but for 99% of real people it's irrelevant and just a tad bit annoying.