FOR a brand that loves to find niches and fill them, it’s surprising that it took BMW this long to resurrect the 8 Series, which was a one-hit wonder until now.

Granted, the 8 Series’ return comes at the cost of the 6 Series as we know it, which was a spiritual successor – and now predecessor – to the highest number in BMW’s model line-up.

Either way, the 8 Series is back and positioned where it belongs: at the pointy end of BMW’s range, right next to the 7 Series.

But can the 8 Series recapture the magic of the original and succeed where two generations of the 6 Series arguably didn’t? Read on to find out.