BMW has brought the 8 Series back to life after two decades of silence, and now the German manufacturer wants to assemble and sell a Gran Coupe version as well. They presented a concept at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show where it was announced that the 8 Series Gran Coupe “will take over as the new flagship model” for the brand.
The production model has been caught on camera, but what can we expect from this car once it hits the market? Let’s check it out.
Exterior of BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe
First of all, we have to say that the 2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe is a four-door version of the coupe we have already seen, which is not surprising at all. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, we have to say that up front, things will not be different. Massive kidney grille will be featured in combination with the sleek headlights and even the engine hood is unchanged.
Two test vehicles have been spotted, and one of them comes with the identical bumper with the trapezoidal center vent. We assume this model is the M850i version with the M Sport features, while the other vehicle sports a less aggressive bumper. There is nothing extravagant or unfamiliar at the sides of the car except for some minor design changes that make no difference whatsoever. The rear end of the M850i is identical to the one of the coupe and even though it is camouflaged, we anticipate no surprises here.
Even though there aren’t any major changes to the exterior design, the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe is quite handsome, don’t you worry about that.
Interior
The spy shots of the cabin do not exist, but we presume it to be based on the 8 Series Coupe. The identical design will be used with the wide center console that rises toward the dash, which is a cool feature. BMW Live Cockpit Professional system will be inside the cabin, and it includes a freestanding and frameless 10.25-inch infotainment display and a fully-digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster. This is something everyone desires in their cars, but the Gran Coupe brings it to the table.
The big difference is the rear bench. Considering that this is a four-door model, the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe will sport much more room at the rear and easier access. There will be some convenience features such as a rear-seat entertainment system, while the fine Merino leather upholstery will provide comfort during long trips.
Some extra features are expected for the M850i model such as an anthracite individual headliner, M pedals and M pedals, an M driver’s footrest, illuminated door sills, etc.
Engine and Performance
Nothing will change under the hood of the Gran Coupe which will feature the same unit as the 8 Series, so if you want excitement, turn to the M850i trim that gets a 4.4-liter V8 unit. The engine has been recently improved, featuring an aluminum-alloy block and a flap-controlled exhaust system. Thanks to that and bigger twin-scroll turbochargers, this machine develops 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque.
The unit will be mated to an eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission, and the car is expected to hit 60 mph in about 3.7 seconds. Of course, the xDrive all-wheel drive will be standard.
2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe Pricing
The BMW 8 Gran Coupe is expected to be in the same pricing range as the two-door coupe, which costs £76,270 in the United Kingdom, but it can be purchased for £100,045 with the M850i package. In the USA, the M850i xDrive is sold for $111,900.
Once it goes on sale, the BMW 8 Gran Coupe will compete against the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class and Audi A7. Look for more details as the car hits the market.
