Introduction
There’s evidently something about winter months, car launches and Malaga that go will in hand. Almost exactly a year after Audi launched their new RS4 Avant in the Spanish sun; BMW put their unfold on events with the launch of their new 8 Series Coupe.
The 8 Series is BMW’s new super-premium coupe – seeing a come back of the 8 Series badge after laying dormant for over 20 years. Full of promise luxury-a-plenty and supreme long distance comfort, it has all the right ingredients to be a MSF hit. Curiosity is further piqued by the ‘M’ spec 850i launch model chipping a 4.4litre V8 engine motor; providing enough smack to propel the whole thing to 60mph in just 3.7 seconds.
Influence in the promise of an overnight stay at the glorious Finca Cortesin inn in Casares, little thinking time was required before my bags were crowded; I set off for southern Spain to see what the new 8 Series was all about…
The Soft Meet
Occupying the top-tier of BMW’s line-up, it’ll come as little surprise that the £76,000+ 8-Series comes with a suitably reward interior; items usually reserved for option tick-boxes such as a leather dashboard attain as standard, whilst the gearstick encompasses a Rolls Royce-esque, hand-cut prism specs centrepiece.
Drop into the 8 Series and you’ll nestle straight into the headquarters; positionally they’re fantastic, they strike a good rest between supporting and feeling restrictive, there’s plenty of regulating and naturally it’s all electronic (including the steering column). The only queer and notable omission is any form of massage function – for a premium eat ones heart out distance car you’d be within your rights to expect a little back-work whilst yachting.
In terms of gadgetry, the 8 Series ushers in a new revision of BMW’s now renamed infotainment software; ‘iDrive 6’ has morphed into ‘Conducting System 7’. Taking inspiration from the smartphone persistence, plenty of new personalisation features have been pumped into the software along with some new safe keeping options. In testing, this was a little daunting – with so profuse options and controls it could be tricky to find the option you’re after. No disquiet time would help in this regard, but a little simplifying wouldn’t go a long for.
Going back to security; BMW’s keys continue to be a step in the lead of the competition, with further software enhancements allowing you to use an Android phone to unlock and start the car – potentially a actual game changer.
Despite BMW making a concerted effort to de-clutter the cottage, it still feels a little busy and overwhelming, with a pre-eminent stack of buttons joined by a congested feeling steering position. The result of all these buttons is that interior fails to experience as ‘space age’ as the touch-screen heavy interiors of both Tesla & Audi. That mentioned, the large central widescreen, coupled with the heads-up revelation and BMW live digital dashboard still make for very competent information consumption.
Boot space is all too easily compromised on Coupes, with their low rear-line encroaching heavily into gear space. The 8 Series carries a decent 420 litres, with the low-lying boot distending back for what seems like an eternity inside the car. Unfortunately, this does pretty compromise rear passenger space, with leg room for the 2 end seats reduced to essentially none with tall tenants up front – sorry kids!
Lastly, we have the sound combination. The 8 Series comes as standard with a Harmon Kardon stereo and to sum it up in a argument; it’s sublime. Track after track, the system impressed from the beginning to the end of testing, showing up such incredible detail in tracks – I however wish I’d had more time to enjoy it. The crazy thing is, the HK stereo is ‘prevailing’ equipment, with a £4000 optional Bowers & Wilkins upgrade also on tap – nuts!
Covering the Angles
BMW certainly haven’t followed the leaning set by their German rivals when it comes to styling, with the 8 Series display off a far more focused, aggressive and angular look than competitions offer. The roofline also takes inspiration from mill-race cars of yesteryear, with ‘double bubble’ bulges creased in yon the driver and passenger seats a nice touch – looking spear-carrier striking on those fitted with bare carbon roofs.
Vents flank the sides of the 8 Series, sat just behind the insigne singular of insignia fit 20” alloy wheels. The alloys are filled by the 8 Series’ provocative brake setup, with M Sport calipers on the test railway carriages shown off to their full potential.
There’s more communicates and slats towards the rear of the vehicle, along with the two extensive, trapezoidal exhaust pipes. It’s disappointing to find these are barely imitation exhaust pipes which encapsulate the real point within, although considering the number of manufacturers now using this bias 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 doubles; impressive considering the 8 Series is just shy of the 2-ton mark, but this is smashed by the petrol’s queer 3.7 second time.
These fast 0-62mph times are no distrust aided by the rest of the drivetrain – BMW’s X-Drive 4-wheel drive routine comes fitted with both engine configurations, as does the dazzling 8 speed automatic gearbox. Gear changes are struck with a brilliant balance of punch and smoothness, suiting the character of the car perfectly – bravo BMW. The X-Drive way can shift power as demands require – no fixed ratios hint at up to 100% of the power can be made available to either the front or build axle.
Fire up the petrol and it produces a deep, aggressive, Mercedes AMG-like rumble. It’s an addictive rational which can only bring a smile to your face. Valves in the wear out close off the noise and allow a little subtlety when instructed, although it’s certainly an engine that likes to be heard. For a diesel, the 840D also produces an arousing, refined note, with the metallic rattle of early-man diesel apparatus non-existent – I’d almost go as far as to say it sounds sporty… Did I really just say that about a diesel apparatus?!
Practicality & On the Road
As expected, regardless of engine spec, the 8 Series is ludicrously dissolutely in a straight line, hurtling you to the wrong side of speed limits in bare moments. Point it towards a bend though, and a few interesting and powerful things happen.
Firstly, lets discuss a few clever patterns which the 8 Series has in its favour; X-Drive, Rear wheel keep away from & adaptive sports suspension (as standard), then in the case of the M850i; an M-Sport differential and dynamic roll control on top. Quite a bit of tech then! All these groups work away in the background, optimising the cars handling to convenient to both the selected driving mode and the circumstances it currently identifies itself in. The result is cornering performance which belies the transports weight, making it feel considerably more nimble and finical than physics would normally allow.
Despite all these plans, you still feel involved in the drive, making the 8 Series numerous fun than you might expect. Particular praise must be accumulated on the rear-wheel steer system, which is nowhere near as unwanted and numbing to the steering feel as others I’ve tried. Adaptive dampers are custom-made as standard too, so the sporty chassis feel doesn’t arrive to the compute detriment of ride quality – although the 8 Series can’t match the silkiness of oppositions in this class.
Beyond the chassis, there’s also a everything raft of clever tech installed to make driving the 8 Series a numerous relaxing experience. Refinements you’d expect such as adaptive voyage, crash avoidance and lane assist are all present, along with BMW’s unpunctual piece of trick tech – reverse assist. Reverse benefit remembers the last 50 metres of your (forward) ride, then can ‘replay’ this in reverse on demand. Example routines include narrow driveways or country lanes, where re-tracing your reduce intervenes facing the opposite way would normally involve a little nail-biting. On a car as big as the 8 Series, it’s a accurate inclusion which worked superbly well when evaluated and should save customers a little neck ache down the furrow.
Doughnuts on the Beach with Rory Reid
Doughnuts and the seaside are a facsimile made in heaven; expect these weren’t your unremarkable sugar coated snacks, nor was the company inside the car. Car launches invariably embody meeting lots of new people, but it’s not every day you get to spend the morning cruising whole with petrol-head, Top Gear host and all round fantastic guy, Rory Reid. I regulated to snatch a ride with Rory in an 840D X-Drive. To be sure then, we took it to the nearby coastline and gave the 4WD a quick probe…
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Conclusion
There’s a lot of technology crammed into all compasses of the 8 Series – whether it be the new operating system 7 infotainment, the various chassis go and comfort systems, the driver aids or the sophisticated new security options. BMW receive come out all guns blazing for the relaunch of the 8 Series badge and the end result is truly impressive.
The level of refinement is truly commendable; fitment and perceive 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 measured. It’s a large premium coupe that’s trying a little too heartily to be a sports car, with the result a car that’s accomplished at both struggles, but a master of neither. This is further hampered by the complexity of the infotainment way – we’re all for customisation, but the sheer level of options is overwhelming.
Because of all this, in defiance of the M850i having such laughter inducing performance, it’s actually the Diesel I was the sundry impressed with. It’s more economical, smoother, produces immense amounts of torque (ideal in a big cruiser) and somehow still look afters to seem playful. It just fits the character of the car a little less ill to my mind. If I had a chateau in southern France with a few hundred miles duration in my way, the new 840D would be a great choice for a relaxed cruise down…
Individual Note
Owning a BMW M3 myself, BMW are a brand I admire and know adequately. With well over 100,000 employees worldwide and a striking fleet of performance German vehicles, they’re certainly one of the industries big hitters so it’s unreal to have them on-board with MSF.
Thank you to BMW UK for inviting us along for the false step and giving us our first taste of the new 8 Series.
