BMW reveals an all new 8-series Sports Coupe
- Developed alongside the forthcoming M8 and the M8 GTE endurance racing car
- Available in two variants initially; a petrol and a diesel
- Returns since its last iteration in 1999
BMW has just premiered the 8-series sports car during the Le Mans race weekend signifying its re-entry into the segment since its last iteration in 1999. A host of technological features and design elements show that the 8-series provides optimum performance characteristics with little compromise in luxury.
A low-slung exterior design, an elongated silhouette with a slim window graphic and a floating roofline shaped the rear with distinctive "double-bubble" contouring provides the 8-series with a very aggressive stance.
Powertrain options offered in this luxury sports car include a new twin-turbo V8 petrol and an in-line diesel option. Thanks to a 68 hp increase in output with no impact on weight compared to the engine it replaces, the new V8 is now able to generate 530 hp and torque of 750 Nm (553 lb-ft). The new BMW M850i xDrive Coupe accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds. The 3.0-litre six-cylinder in-line diesel unit with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology delivers a maximum output of 320 hp and peak torque of 680 Nm (501 lb-ft), which is available as low as 1,750 rpm. The engine employs multi-stage turbocharging technology and its performance characteristics permit relaxed cruising at low engine speeds, while also enabling the car to sprint to 100 km/h from rest in only 4.9 seconds. Both engines transfer their power via an improved eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission.
The inclusion of the BMW Operating System 7.0 display and control concept as standard on the new BMW 8 Series Coupe makes sure the driver is supplied with the right information at the right time. Customisable and personalised displays can be called up in both the instrument cluster and the 10.25-inch Control Display. A flat menu structure that has been optimised for touch control permits fast access to all settings and functions. The situation based content includes visualising lateral acceleration during high-speed cornering. To enable multimodal interaction, the driver has a choice of using the buttons on the steering wheel, the iDrive Controller, the touch display, voice control or BMW gesture control. The BMW Live Cockpit Professional comes as standard and comprises a fully digital instrument cluster with a 12.3-inch display, in the centre of which a specific section of the navigation map can be shown, for example. Thanks to the consistent design of the graphics, it forms a harmonious display cluster together with the Control Display. The further improved BMW Head-Up Display can also be found on the list of standard equipment and features a larger projection area, new content and optimised graphics.
The digital services available for use in the new BMW 8 Series Coupe include hazard warnings obtained from interconnectivity with other BMW vehicles, “over-the-air” software
upgrading, the integration of Microsoft Office 365 and Skype for Business, as well as the BMW Digital Key, which allows customers to unlock the vehicle and start the engine using a smartphone.
