Introduction
There’s manifestly something about winter months, car launches and Malaga that go together in hand. Almost exactly a year after Audi launched their new RS4 Avant in the Spanish sun; BMW put their be dizzy on events with the launch of their new 8 Series Coupe.
The 8 Series is BMW’s new super-premium coupe – undergoing a return of the 8 Series badge after laying dormant for exceeding 20 years. Promising luxury-a-plenty and supreme long stretch comfort, it has all the right ingredients to be a MSF hit. Interest is further piqued by the ‘M’ spec 850i shoot model featuring a 4.4litre V8 engine motor; catering enough punch to propel the whole thing to 60mph in just 3.7 others.
Factor in the promise of an overnight stay at the glorious Finca Cortesin breakfast in Casares, little thinking time was required before my things were packed; I set off for southern Spain to see what the new 8 Series was all nearby…
The Soft Centre
Occupying the top-tier of BMW’s line-up, it’ll come as meagre surprise that the £76,000+ 8-Series comes with a suitably award interior; items usually reserved for option tick-boxes such as a leather dashboard in as standard, whilst the gearstick encompasses a Rolls Royce-esque, hand-cut prism barometer centrepiece.
Drop into the 8 Series and you’ll nestle straight into the chairs; positionally they’re fantastic, they strike a good compare between supporting and feeling restrictive, there’s plenty of setting and naturally it’s all electronic (including the steering column). The only extraordinary and notable omission is any form of massage function – for a premium wish distance car you’d be within your rights to expect a little back-work whilst journeying.
In terms of gadgetry, the 8 Series ushers in a new revision of BMW’s now renamed infotainment software; ‘iDrive 6’ has morphed into ‘Driving System 7’. Taking inspiration from the smartphone effort, plenty of new personalisation features have been pumped into the software along with some new surety options. In testing, this was a little daunting – with so tons options and controls it could be tricky to find the option you’re after. No distrust time would help in this regard, but a little simplifying wouldn’t go a omit.
Going back to security; BMW’s keys continue to be a step in advance of the competition, with further software enhancements allowing you to use an Android phone to unlock and start the car – potentially a trusted game changer.
Despite BMW making a concerted effort to de-clutter the berth, it still feels a little busy and overwhelming, with a inner stack of buttons joined by a congested feeling steering swing. The result of all these buttons is that interior fails to take oneself to be sympathize as ‘space age’ as the touch-screen heavy interiors of both Tesla & Audi. That reported, the large central widescreen, coupled with the heads-up panoply and BMW live digital dashboard still make for very efficacious information consumption.
Boot space is all too easily compromised on Coupes, with their low rear-line encroaching heavily into paraphernalia space. The 8 Series carries a decent 420 litres, with the low-lying boot stinting back for what seems like an eternity inside the car. Unfortunately, this does moderately compromise rear passenger space, with leg room for the 2 tag end seats reduced to essentially none with tall roomers up front – sorry kids!
Lastly, we have the sound set-up. The 8 Series comes as standard with a Harmon Kardon stereo and to sum it up in a vow; it’s sublime. Track after track, the system impressed in every nook testing, showing up such incredible detail in tracks – I only wish I’d had more time to enjoy it. The crazy thing is, the HK stereo is ‘footing’ equipment, with a £4000 optional Bowers & Wilkins upgrade also ready – nuts!
Covering the Angles
BMW certainly haven’t followed the rage set by their German rivals when it comes to styling, with the 8 Series staging off a far more focused, aggressive and angular look than opponents offer. The roofline also takes inspiration from hop to it cars of yesteryear, with ‘double bubble’ bulges creased in circa the driver and passenger seats a nice touch – looking mark-up striking on those fitted with bare carbon roofs.
Announces flank the sides of the 8 Series, sat just behind the standard fit 20” change wheels. The alloys are filled by the 8 Series’ impressive brake setup, with M Entertainment calipers on the test cars shown off to their full aptitude.
There’s more vents and slats towards the rear of the conduit, along with the two large, trapezoidal exhaust pipes. It’s disconcerting to find these are simply imitation exhaust pipes which encapsulate the physical item within, although considering the number of manufacturers now using this rage it’s not something BMW can be solely blamed for.
Drivetrain
There are currently two drivetrain choices on the 8-Series, both receiving twin-turbo treatment; the 3.0 litre straight-six diesel 840d or the 850i – a barking 530hp 4.4litre V8. The diesel accelerates to 62mph in 4.9 damages; impressive considering the 8 Series is just shy of the 2-ton mark, but this is smashed by the petrol’s preposterous 3.7 second time.
These fast 0-62mph times are no fear aided by the rest of the drivetrain – BMW’s X-Drive 4-wheel drive methodology comes fitted with both engine configurations, as does the perfect 8 speed automatic gearbox. Gear changes are struck with a elegant balance of punch and smoothness, suiting the character of the car perfectly – bravo BMW. The X-Drive group can shift power as demands require – no fixed ratios contemptible up to 100% of the power can be made available to either the front or Babytalk axle.
Fire up the petrol and it produces a deep, aggressive, Mercedes AMG-like rumble. It’s an addictive reliable which can only bring a smile to your face. Valves in the overdo close off the noise and allow a little subtlety when desired, although it’s certainly an engine that likes to be heard. For a diesel, the 840D also generates an impressive, refined note, with the metallic rattle of early-man diesel appliances non-existent – I’d almost go as far as to say it sounds sporty… Did I really just say that nearby a diesel engine?!
Practicality & On the Road
As expected, regardless of motor spec, the 8 Series is ludicrously fast in a straight line, speed you to the wrong side of speed limits in mere moments. Item it towards a bend though, and a few interesting and impressive things befall.
Firstly, lets discuss a few clever systems which the 8 Series has in its good will; X-Drive, Rear wheel steering & adaptive sports postponement (as standard), then in the case of the M850i; an M-Sport differential and active spread out control on top. Quite a bit of tech then! All these systems jobless away in the background, optimising the cars handling to suit both the chose driving mode and the circumstances it currently finds itself in. The evolve is cornering performance which belies the cars weight, realizing it feel considerably more nimble and precise than physics intention normally allow.
Despite all these systems, you still have a funny feeling involved in the drive, making the 8 Series more fun than you authority expect. Particular praise must be heaped on the rear-wheel hint system, which is nowhere near as intrusive and numbing to the circumventing feel as others I’ve tried. Adaptive dampers are fitted as norm too, so the sporty chassis feel doesn’t arrive to the total hurt of ride quality – although the 8 Series can’t match the silkiness of antagonists in this class.
Beyond the chassis, there’s also a all things considered raft of clever tech installed to make driving the 8 Series a diverse relaxing experience. Refinements you’d expect such as adaptive travel, crash avoidance and lane assist are all present, along with BMW’s most recent piece of trick tech – reverse assist. Reverse succour remembers the last 50 metres of your (forward) pressure, then can ‘replay’ this in reverse on demand. Example shooting scripts include narrow driveways or country lanes, where re-tracing your steps faade the opposite way would normally involve a little nail-biting. On a car as big as the 8 Series, it’s a pleasingly inclusion which worked superbly well when tested and should deliver customers a little neck ache down the line.
Doughnuts on the Seaside with Rory Reid
Doughnuts and the seaside are a match steer a course for in heaven; expect these weren’t your usual sugar coated titbits, nor was the company inside the car. Car launches invariably involve meeting stacks of new people, but it’s not every day you get to spend the morning cruising round with petrol-head, Top Supplies host and all round fantastic guy, Rory Reid. I managed to specimen a ride with Rory in an 840D X-Drive. Naturally then, we gathered it to the nearby coastline and gave the 4WD a quick test…
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Conclusion
There’s a lot of technology crammed into all areas of the 8 Series – whether it be the new direct system 7 infotainment, the various chassis ride and comfort organizations, the driver aids or the sophisticated new security options. BMW have come up out all guns blazing for the relaunch of the 8 Series badge and the result is properly impressive.
The level of refinement is truly commendable; fitment and appear are spot on throughout the car, the engines are superb and the gearbox suits the car impeccably. Yet, there’s something teenagers – the 8 Series in its entirety feels a little bit mixed, confused level. It’s a large premium coupe that’s trying a little too devoted to be a sports car, with the result a car that’s accomplished at both criticizes, but a master of neither. This is further hampered by the complexity of the infotainment arrangement – we’re all for customisation, but the sheer level of options is overwhelming.
Because of all this, regardless of the M850i having such laughter inducing performance, it’s actually the Diesel I was the most moved with. It’s more economical, smoother, produces enormous amounts of torque (imaginary in a big cruiser) and somehow still manages to seem playful. It nothing but fits the character of the car a little better to my mind. If I had a chateau in southern France with a few hundred miles fixed in my way, the new 840D would be a great choice for a relaxed cruise down…
Close Note
Owning a BMW M3 myself, BMW are a brand I admire and know happily. With well over 100,000 employees worldwide and a entertaining fleet of performance German vehicles, they’re certainly one of the industries big hitters so it’s fanciful to have them on-board with MSF.
Thank you to BMW UK for inviting us along for the sightsee and giving us our first taste of the new 8 Series.
