Order book open for BMW 8 Series

BY SPENCER LEECH | 10th Dec 2018

BMW Group Australia has confirmed local pricing and specification for its new 8 Series Coupe and Convertible, kicking off at $272,900 before on-road costs for the M850i xDrive two-door and $281,900 for the drop-top.

Local deliveries are earmarked for March next year, while BMW has also confirmed rear-wheel sDrive variants in future with exact timing and expected lower pricing yet to be revealed.

The new 8 Series resurrects the nameplate of BMW’s early 90’s sportscar and, in M850i form, boasts a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 that develops 390kW of power and 750Nm of torque.

Although the M850i shares similar engine basics with the M5 Competition, power falls short of the flagship 5 Series’ 460kW, while torque is matched.

However, the M850i Coupe will still scorch the zero to 100km/h sprint in just 3.7 seconds, with the Convertible clocking a 3.9s time.

A hotter 8 Series Coupe, dubbed the M8, is also expected to arrive Down Under sometime later next year powered by the same 4.4-litre bi-turbo V8 that could be tuned to match, or even exceed, the M5 Competition.

BMW previewed a four-door version of the M8 at the Geneva motor show earlier this year, dubbed M8 Gran Coupe, which would play as a rival for the likes of the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door Coupe and Porsche Panamera.

GoAuto expects that the Gran Coupe sedan will arrive in Australia in some form next year, however BMW’s official line remains “we are still weighing up all our options”.

While the 8 Series plays at the top end of the sportscar performance market, BMW Group Australia chief executive officer Vikram Pawah believes it will also attract buyers looking for luxury.

“The classic coupe body caters to customers who are seeking that classic sporting feel, and the convertible provides an option for those who enjoy an open-air touring experience” he said.

“With the latest technology, supreme performance and sophisticated interior design, both variants will set the benchmark within the luxury sports segment and are a clear statement of intent for BMW.

“These vehicles are a fantastic demonstration of modern-day luxury without compromising performance and handling.”

The M850i benefits from the M Performance parts catalogue, featuring adaptive suspension, a rear limited-slip differential, active anti-roll stabilisation and integral active steering.

20-inch wheels are fitted on all four corners however the M850i uses mixed-sized tyres that measure 245/35/R20 at the front and 275/30/R20 at the rear.

A sports exhaust system is also fitted as standard.

Power is filtered through an eight-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission that features BMW’s ConnectedShift technology, which uses the navigation system to anticipate driver requirements and match gear selections with the road environment in real time.

Clad in Merino premium leather, the interior also hosts the latest version of BMW’s Live Cockpit Professional system displayed on a 12.3-inch all-digital instrument cluster with a head-up display.

Infotainment is displayed on a 10.25-inch screen, with Gesture Control (Coupe only) and voice recognition, real time traffic information, and connectivity options including wireless Apple CarPlay and a digital key which enables control of various features from the owner’s smartphone.

The Convertible sports a fabric top which can be operated automatically with the touch of a button, and will open and close in 15 seconds at speeds up to 50km/h. Customers can also tick a no-cost option box for an Anthracite Silver roof.

On the Coupe, BMW uses a carbon-fibre roof with a double-bubble design, which extends to the rear boot-lip spoiler and sits above slimline L-shaped LED tail-lights and dual trapezoidal exhaust tips.

Dimensionally, both the Coupe and Convertible are near identical at 4851mm long, 1902mm wide, and with a wheelbase of 2822mm, however the drop-top is 1mm shorter in height.

The Convertible also has less luggage space due to the retractable roof mechanism. Specifically, the Coupe carries 420 litres of gear, while the Convertible will cart 350L.