The new model came through its baptism of fire in the guise of the BMW M8 GTE at the FIA WEC endurance races and in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IWSC) held in North America.
The production car now makes it possible to experience outstandingly dynamic performance in an exceedingly luxurious setting.
Heading the model range is the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe which is powered by a newly developed 530hp V8 4.4-litre petrol engine with M Performance TwinPower Turbo technology.
Thanks to a 68hp increase in output with no impact on weight compared to the engine it replaces, the new V8 is now able to generate 530 hp, which is on tap between 5,500 and 6,000rpm.
Maximum torque of 750 Nm is available over a wide rev range from 1,800 to 4,600 rpm for prolonged forward thrust.
The new BMW M850i xDrive Coupe accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds.
The standard specification for the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe also includes exceptionally powerful M Sport brakes along with 20-inch M light-alloy wheels with high-performance tyres.
This BMW M Performance model is also instantly recognisable by its exclusive exterior appointments in Cerium Grey, an M rear spoiler and illuminated door sills bearing the model name.
These are complemented by equipment features that also form part of the M Sport package available for the new BMW 840d xDrive Coupe, including multifunction seats, M leather steering wheel and interior trim strips in a stainless steel mesh design.
The M Sport package additionally comprises 19-inch M light-alloy wheels, M Sport brakes and illuminated door sills with M logo.
This BMW M Performance model will be launched in November 2018 together with the BMW 840d xDrive Coupe featuring an extraordinarily potent six-cylinder in-line diesel unit with 320hp.
The unprecedented use of a diesel engine in this segment produces a delightful mix of supreme pulling power and excellent fuel economy.
The 3.0-litre six-cylinder in-line diesel unit with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology delivers a maximum output of 320hp and peak torque of 680Nm, which is available as low down as 1,750rpm.
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 100km/h from rest in only 4.9 seconds.
The car’s low-slung design, an elongated silhouette with a slim window graphic and a roofline flowing elegantly into the rear with distinctive “double-bubble” contouring, a long wheelbase and a wide track are the defining elements of the BMW 8 Series Coupe’s proportions.
With exterior dimensions of 4,843 mm in length, 1,902 mm in width, 1,341 mm in height and a wheelbase of 2,822 mm, the two-door car adopts an extremely powerful stance on the road.
The sports car’s immense drive power is visualised to stunning effect by the elaborate, jutting design of the front apron, the large air intakes – which assume an even more imposing appearance on the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe and in conjunction with the M Sport package – and the precise contours of the bonnet.
The low-down BMW kidney grille is hexagonal in shape, with its elements framed by a single-piece surround.
The LED headlights are the slimmest of any BMW model to date.
An almost fully sealed underbody, active air flap control and Air Curtains including Air Breathers help to reduce the aerodynamic drag of the new BMW 8 Series Coupe’s streamlined body.
This distinctive contouring also graces the optional carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) roof, which is available for the first time on a series-production model from the core BMW brand and lowers the car’s centre of gravity even further.
In the cabin, the rear backrest can be split 50 : 50 as standard and folded down to increase the capacity of the 420-litre luggage compartment.
The standard equipment for the new BMW 8 Series Coupe includes the Adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers.
Integral Active Steering is also standard; it reduces the turning circle when manoeuvring, increases agility and makes changing lanes or taking corners at high speeds even more effortless.
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.
Numerous cutting-edge driver assistance systems are available to boost the comfort and safety of the new BMW 8 Series Coupe, in particular.
The line-up includes Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, the Steering and lane control assistant, the Lane Change Warning and Lane Departure Warning systems, the Lane Keeping Assistant with side collision protection and evasion aid, BMW Night Vision, as well as the Crossing traffic warning, Priority warning and Wrong-way warning systems.
Besides steering, the Parking Assistant takes over the job of controlling the accelerator and brakes. The system also comprises the Reversing Assistant, which makes it possible to reverse easily for a distance of up to 50 metres by steering the vehicle back along the exact path it recently drove forwards.
