It’s going to be hard to follow up on the aesthetically pleasing success that is the 6 Series Gran Coupe, but with that model having been in production from June of 2012 until September of 2018, a replacement is due. BMW is prepared though, and with the long awaited reintroduction of the 8 Series now behind us, it’s time for a new range-topping Gran Coupe to carry the mantle of the outgoing 6 Series, which continues to receive praise for its design.
Just recently, BMW released a single shadowy image of the new 8 Series four-door, which is now scheduled for its initial unveiling to take place in Munich at BMW Welt during an event that takes place on June 25–27.
Coupe-inspired four-door models are all the rage right now, with the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe remaining very popular even though it will soon be succeeded, and a front-drive 2 Series Gran Coupe on the horizon for later this year. Despite being less practical than the stablemate 5 Series and M5, the 6 Series and M6 Gran Coupe proved to be popular models that remain eye-catching to this day. Since the F06 6 Series Gran Coupe was brought to market back in 2012, BMW has followed up the success with the 4 Series Gran Coupe, which quickly became a popular alternative to the venerable 3 Series sedan.
The BMW Concept M8 Gran Coupe was unveiled during March of 2018.
BMW already released photos of its Concept M8 Gran Coupe over a year ago, but in the time since, we’ve learned little about what the actual model—and the conventional 8 Series version—will be like. The 8 Series coupe and convertible provide some valuable information, with a 523 horsepower V8 engine and xDrive standard fare for the M850i, but a lot of questions remain unanswered.
The latest press release teasing the upcoming 8 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t reveal much more than we already knew, but it does shed light on a few important facets. These include a longer wheelbase to allow for comfortable rear seating accommodations, and ride quality that matches the presence of such a luxury model. BMW also says the overall design works to meld breathtaking performance with unmatched presence and aesthetics that are as graceful as they are flamboyant—just like the celebrated 6 Series Gran Coupe.
Today, the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe remains in development, but according to BMW, just a few final phases of the testing and refinement process remain before it is put into series production.—Alex Tock
[Photos courtesy BMW AG.]
