When it comes to prestige cars, BMW certainly know how to fill a niche. Buyers wishing to import from the UK to Kenya, New Zealand and other global destinations now have the choice of no less than three different versions of the new BMW 8 Series model. The sleek and stylish Coupé looks like a sports car yet seats four. Meanwhile the Gran Coupé adds two extra doors for practicality and the third version takes its top down when the weather allows. All that remains is to choose.
On The Outside
Regardless of the body shape, the BMW 8 Series makes a lasting impression. It’s gorgeous, featuring a low-slung and elongated silhouette with a roofline that flows neatly into the rear. The design incorporates a flared shoulder section and wide track, while its roof, optionally made of carbon fibre incidentally, features a central indentation reminiscent of the “double bubble” in classic racing cars from years gone by. It’s a nice touch. The Gran Coupé variant has unique to the model side sections and rear, and the wheelbase is longer to accommodate the extra doors.
The convertible has a tight-fitting tension-bar soft top. This lies flat in its compartment when stowed, with the vehicle’s occupants surrounded by attractively designed surfaces that extend from the dashboard to the door sills and from the rear to the soft-top compartment.
A nice touch from BMW is that all versions are equipped with the M sports pack as standard, enhancing the looks and including aerodynamically optimised body features at the front and rear apron as well as on the side skirts. The large lower air intakes at the front straddle the traditional ‘kidney’ grille and 20” M light-alloy wheels complete the picture.
On The Inside
The interior of all three models combines modern aesthetics and individual luxury. For the driver there’s an M-Sport leather steering wheel with multifunction buttons and shift paddles for manual gear selection of the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission. The wide console, which separates the driver and front passenger areas as it rises towards the dashboard, helps further that sporty atmosphere. In the BMW 8 Series Coupé, as well as Convertible, there are two rear seats which like all multi-function seats across the range are trimmed in Merino leather. Additionally, the second row of the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé offers increased legroom and a third seat.
The standard equipment of the new BMW 8 Series includes the BMW ‘Live Cockpit Professional’. It consists of a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel and a Control Display now increased in size from 10.25 to 12.3 inches. This includes the online-based BMW Maps navigation system, the Intelligent Personal Assistant, Head-Up Display and wireless smartphone integration. The standard equipment also offers an uprated Harmon/Kardon speaker system and comfort access. Soft-close doors are a further option too. Touches of luxury in a sporting package.
The choice of standard and optional systems for automated driving and parking is also extensive. For example, ‘Parking Assistant’ is standard, and includes a rear-view camera. The optional Parking Assistant Plus offers surround view, Remote view 3D and Drive Recorder, and optional Driving Assistant Professional includes Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function plus traffic light recognition and automatic Speed Limit Assist, as well as steering and lane guidance assistance. It’s not autonomous driving but equipment like this makes long journeys, of which this car is more than capable, less tiring.
On The Road
Two engines are available for each of the luxury sports cars. At the top of the new model range are the BMW M850i xDrive Coupé, Convertible, and Gran Coupé. These models benefit from BMW’s signature xDrive all-wheel drive system and 530bhp V8 propulsion.
The 333hp 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder petrol engine in the BMW 840i Coupé, Convertible, and Gran Coupé is twinned with traditionally BMW rear-wheel-drive propulsion. This car may look sporting but BMW have perfectly nailed the compromise of comfort and handling. The car thus feels very well balanced on flowing roads, with lots of grip. Most users won't need the extra road-holding of all-wheel-drive as the car is very well set up as it is. X-Drive is available though for those who need it.
That’s your choice: The sleek power of the two-door, the discreet, convenient elegance of the four-door or the wind in your hair. Over to you. Get in touch with us here at MHH International as the 8 Series is available to order now.
