BMW’s 8 Series Coupe is back on deck after a 20-year hiatus in the United States.
Initially available as the BMW M850i xDrive variant, the coupe is set to write a new chapter in the luxury sports coupe’s story of outstanding performance, beautiful design and state of the art technology.
The number ‘8’ in the model name indicates the new vehicle’s high-ranking status within BMW’s product range.
As with the BMW Z8 and with the current BMW i8, it is reserved for exceptionally sporty cars that stir the emotions.
The all-new BMW 8 Series Coupe is the first key component of the Munich-based brand’s luxury segment model offensive.
The directive for the all-new BMW 8 Series Coupe’s design was to provide a thrilling driving experience.
Body, powertrain and suspension were honed to achieve the agility, precision and poise expected of a top-class luxury sports coupe.
An almost fully covered underbody, active air flap control with adjustable kidney grille slats and Air Curtains including Air Breathers help to reduce the aerodynamic drag.
The car was developed in parallel to the BMW M8 GTE race car, which has already proven its potential in the 2018 FIA World Endurance Championship long-distance races and in the 2018 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
The launch of the all-new BMW M850i xDrive Coupe also marks the premiere of a new V8.
The new BMW TwinPower Turbo V8 engine now generates 390kW between 5500 and 6000 rpm and 750Nm of torque from 1800 to 4600 rpm, and accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in 3.6 seconds.
Power is transferred to the wheels via the latest-generation eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission that boasts a wider gear ratio spread, even sportier gear shifts and can be operated by means of shift paddles on the steering wheel.
The rear-wheel bias of the xDrive system and rear differential lock ensure maximum agility and precision when the car’s sporting capabilities are being put to the test.
Active steering of the rear wheels by up to 2.5 degrees – thanks to Integral Active Steering – considerably enhances the cornering ability.
The latest generation 4.4-litre eight-cylinder engine has been radically revised with numerous detailed improvements.
Two twin-scroll turbochargers with charge air cooling located within the V-shaped space between the cylinder banks, High Precision Injection, VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control and Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing all form part of the M Performance TwinPower Turbo technology, whose extensive overhaul has given a substantial boost to maximum power, torque and efficiency.
A new aluminium alloy has been used to increase the strength of the engine block.
The wire-arc sprayed iron coating for the cylinder walls serves to reduce frictional losses.
Reinforced, Grafal-coated pistons and optimised piston rings are designed to endure the stress on the crank drive that comes with the extra output and torque.
To enhance engine smoothness, torsional vibration is minimized with the help of a viscous damper on the crankshaft.
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