The first BMW 8 Series in many, many years has already received a facelift for all three bodystyles.
Around 2018, it was clear that BMW was about to reintroduce the ‘8 Series’ nameplate with cars that would have otherwise been parked under their 6 Series family. Sure enough, that’s what happened and we got three bodystyles to go with it – coupe´, convertible and ‘Gran Coupé’. Today, BMW are introducing the facelift model of their new 8 Series.
Nothing too dramatic has been done to the overall shape. The front has undergone a minor transformation, the M Sport aesthetic package now comes as standard on all models, a larger 12.3″ Control Display for the iDrive system has been introduced as well. What’s more, the BMW “Iconic Glow” kidney grille is now standard, as is BMW Individual Merino leather upholstery.
While these are all great reasons to buy the standard 8 Series model, BMW has reserved some goodies for the range-topping M850i. This one gets M exterior mirrors, an M badge on the grille, an optional M Sport Package Professional (black calipers, a black kidney grille, a black spoiler and Shadowline headlights with dark inserts). The classic BMW Motorsport emblem is also offered with this variant and replaces BMW badges on the hood, trunk, and wheel hubs.
Powertrain options are unchanged. The basic 8 Series in any of its three body styles is available as the 840i xDrive, which comes with a 3.0L inline 6 turbocharged petrol engine good for 333 horsepower. There’s also a diesel mild hybrid variant called the 840d xDrive with a 340hp 3.0L turbodiesel inline 6 motor. The higher tier M850i xDrive model is also available with a 4.4L V8 turbocharged petrol engine capable of producing 530 horses.
New exterior body colours (Skyscraper Grey metallic, San Remo Green metallic, M Portimao Blue metallic, BMW Individual Frozen Tanzanite Blue metallic) and new wheel styles were also added.
Here’s the press release with some additional details.
PRESS RELEASE
Redesigned vehicle front, M sports package as standard.
The extensively modified design of the new BMW 8 Series Coupé, the new BMW 8 Series Convertible and the new BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé lends even more intense emphasis to the performance character and extravagant presence of these luxury sports cars. All model variants are now equipped with an M sports package as standard. As a result, they have aerodynamically optimised body features finished in body colour in the area of the front and rear apron as well as on the side skirts. The large lower air intakes at the front are now structured by horizontal struts. The diffuser insert in the rear apron is finished in Dark Shadow metallic. The now even sportier appearance is rounded off with 19-inch M light alloy wheels in double-spoke design and fitted with mixed tyres. In addition, the standard equipment now includes an M sports brake system with callipers finished in blue.
The three particularly powerful V8 models BMW M850i xDrive Coupé, BMW M850i xDrive Convertible and BMW M850i xDrive Gran Coupé likewise continue to come off the production line with M specific design features. In addition, they now feature aerodynamically optimised M exterior mirrors for the first time – in a design that was originally developed exclusively for the high-performance sports cars of the BMW M8 series. Furthermore, the airflow is guided even more precisely by a front spoiler attachment, and on the new BMW M850i xDrive Coupé also by an M rear spoiler. In addition, the standard equipment of the three top models in the range includes a particularly powerful version of the M sports brake system, the M sports differential and 20-inch M light alloy wheels in Y-spoke design with mixed tyres. These features are also included in the optional M Sports Package Pro for the 6-cylinder models of the new BMW 8 Series.
In addition, like the new M Performance Package for the 8-cylinder models, it includes the M High Gloss Shadow Line with extended features, brake callipers in black, the M Shadow Line lights with dark inserts – available for the first time – and a black M rear spoiler for the BMW 8 Series Coupé.
To mark the 50th anniversary of BMW M GmbH, all models in the new BMW 8 Series are also offered with an option that indicates a special link with traditional motor racing enthusiasm. As an option, all models of the new BMW 8 Series have the classic “BMW Motorsport” logo on the bonnet, tailgate and wheel hub covers instead of the usual BMW emblems. With its staggered semicircles in blue, purple and red, the anniversary emblem is reminiscent of the original BMW M GmbH trademark that was first used on racing cars in 1973.
BMW kidney grille with illuminated surround, new exterior paint finishes.
Adaptive LED headlights with variable light distribution, adaptive cornering lights and the anti-dazzle high-beam assistant BMW Selective Beam come as standard in these luxury sports cars. As an optional extra, the BMW laser light is offered with a particularly long high beam range. In addition, the BMW kidney grille between the headlights now adds a striking accentuation to the front of all models in the new BMW 8 Series. It comes as standard with the BMW “Iconic Glow”: the waterfall lighting for the two kidney grille elements creates a particularly extravagant expression when the new BMW 8 Series is viewed from the front. The illumination is activated as soon as the vehicle is opened and can be switched on or off manually by the driver.
In addition, the brand’s signature cooling air intake features redesigned kidney bars with a distinctive U-profile. An M logo on the BMW kidney grille of the BMW M850i xDrive Coupé, BMW M850i xDrive Convertible and BMW M850i xDrive Gran Coupé is a reference to membership of the BMW M model family as well as to the performance of the V8 engine installed behind the radiator grille.
There is a choice of four new exterior body finishes for the luxury sports cars. Skyscraper Grey metallic, San Remo Green metallic, M Portimao Blue metallic and BMW Individual Frozen Tanzanite Blue metallic are additional variants that give individual emphasis to the modern design style of the exterior.
Furthermore, additional versions of the optionally available M light alloy wheels in 20-inch format are available for the new BMW 8 Series models. Meanwhile, new 20-inch M Performance light alloy wheels are likewise offered as part of the range of Original BMW Accessories for the 8-cylinder models in the series.
Interior and equipment. Luxurious sports car ambience redefined.
In designing the interior of the BMW 8 Series models, a unique balance was achieved between driver-oriented dynamic performance and exclusive elegance. The overall ambience of the interior combines driving pleasure, modern aesthetics and individual luxury. One defining element of the interior design is its forward-facing lines. This is further accentuated by the standard Ambient Light, which stylishly illuminates the contours of the dashboard and door sills.
An M leather steering wheel with multifunction buttons and shift paddles for manual gear selection of the 8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission now comes as standard in all the new BMW 8 Series models. In the BMW M850i xDrive Coupé, the BMW M850i xDrive Convertible and the BMW M850i xDrive Gran Coupé, the M leather steering wheel features a model-specific centre spoke design along with decorative stitching in the colours of BMW M GmbH. Rising towards the dashboard at the front and clearly separating the driver and front passenger areas, the wide console also helps create a strikingly sporty atmosphere.
In the BMW 8 Series Coupé – as in the BMW 8 Series Convertible – there are two rear seats, each with the distinct character of a single seat. The second row of the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé not only offers particularly generous legroom: between the two outer seats with pronounced contours and integrated headrests, it also offers a third seat that can be used on short journeys and comprises a fully-fledged seat belt system. This means that the four-door luxury sports car is in fact designed as a 4+1 seater. Its standard equipment now also includes 4-zone automatic air conditioning with separate temperature and air volume control for the rear.
Multi-function seats and BMW Individual Merino leather upholstery with extended features now standard in all model variants.
The M sports package – which is standard in all models of the new BMW 8 Series – also gives the interior an aura that is geared towards focused driving pleasure. Other contributing factors in addition to the M leather steering wheel are the anthracite-coloured M roof liner, the M pedals in stainless steel, the M driver’s footrest and specific floor mats. The illuminated door sill trims and the display in the instrument cluster feature the BMW M Automobile model inscription “M850i” and the M logo respectively. In conjunction with the M Sports Package Pro for the 6-cylinder models and the M Performance Package for the 8-cylinder models, the interior design is complemented with black seat belts bearing accent stripes in the colours of BMW M GmbH.
In addition, the basic equipment of the 6-cylinder model variants has been extended to include the multifunction seats previously only standard in the BMW M 850i xDrive Coupé, the BMW M 850i xDrive Convertible and the BMW M 850i xDrive Gran Coupé. The multifunction seats offer not only excellent lateral support during dynamic cornering but also a high level of long-distance comfort. Their range of functions includes a lumbar support. The headrests are visually integrated in the backrests and can be adjusted both in height and depth as required. Adjustment of the seat position, backrest width and thigh support is electrically operated. The memory function for the driver’s and front passenger’s seats is also a standard feature.
The multifunction seats are combined with BMW Individual Merino leather upholstery with extended features. The latter is available in a variety of colours, including particularly stylish Bicolor versions. The surfaces of the dashboard and door sills are also upholstered in leather as standard.
The galvanised surfaces of the side air vent surrounds and the accent strips in the area of the door openers are also harmoniously coordinated, allowing the door openers to be particularly stylishly integrated as closed clasps. Matching this, the controls for the electrically operated window lifts, door lock and seat memory function integrated in the door sills now also feature electroplated surfaces in all models of the BMW 8 Series.
BMW Live Cockpit Professional now with a Control Display enlarged to 12.3 inches.
The standard equipment of the new BMW 8 Series Coupé, the new BMW 8 Series Convertible and the new BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé includes the BMW Live Cockpit Professional. Its fully digital display network consists of a 12.3-inch instrument cluster behind the steering wheel and a Control Display whose screen diagonal has now increased in size from 10.25 to 12.3 inches. The touch function of the amply-sized on-board monitor enables particularly fast, convenient and intuitive operation of numerous vehicle functions.
The BMW Live Cockpit Professional includes the online-based navigation system BMW Maps, the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, the BMW Head-Up Display, wireless smartphone integration via wireless LAN and a multimedia system. In addition, the standard equipment including hi-fi speaker system, telephony with wireless charging, the BMW Display Key and comfort access underscores both the luxurious and progressive character of the new BMW 8 Series models.
The choice of standard and optional systems for automated driving and parking is also extensive. The new BMW 8 Series features Driving Assistant as standard, including front collision alert, lane change warning and lane departure warning, as well as the traffic sign recognition function Speed Limit Info with No Passing Indicator. The Parking Assistant, which also comes as standard, includes a rear view camera, Active PDC and reverse assistant. Another optional extra is Driving Assistant Professional, whose range of functions also 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.
