Although the new 8 Series Coupe and Convertible offer two extra seats, it’s good to give buyers more options since nobody wants to sit in those rear seats anyway. So, the first-ever BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe is here to fill the shoes of the 6 Series Gran Coupe.
Naturally, the four-door Coupe measures 5,082 mm in length (+231 mm), 1,932 mm in width (+30 mm) and 1,407 mm in height (+61 mm). At 3,023 mm, the wheelbase is up by 201 mm over the two-door Coupe. The front track width of 1,627 mm is the same as the two-door car’s, while the rear track of 1,671 mm is 28 mm wider, making it the widest of any model in the BMW line-up.
The front and rear fascias look identical to the two-door siblings. Unlike the GT 4-Door Coupe and Panamera, the 8 Series Gran Coupe looks more like a Sedan rather than a fastback Coupe, thanks to a very subtle, integrated boot lid spoiler.
Adaptive LED headlights are standard while the buyers can go for Laserlight with variable road illumination and Selective Beam, which produces a high-beam range of around 600 metres. Rear-end gets all-LED taillights. Options list also includes panoramic glass roof.
Aerodynamic elements include underbody active air flap control, adjustable kidney grille slats, Air Curtains in the front apron, and an additional front spoiler lip.
The monocoque, doors, the outer skin of the roof are made of aluminium, and so are the elements such as the bonnet, front shear panel, engine subframe, front bulkhead and the rear bumper support. The boot lid is made of plastic, while the centre tunnel is made of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic to keep the weight in check. In addition, buyers can go for carbon fibre roof and Carbon Package comprising air intake bars, exterior mirror caps and a rear diffuser insert – all made from CFRP.
As standard, the Gran Coupe gets 18-inch light-alloy wheels, while the models with M Sport package ride on 19-inch M light-alloy wheels. The M Technic Sport Package upgrades to 20-inch light-alloy wheels and high-performance tyres. As for braking, all versions combine four-piston, fixed-calliper brakes at the front and a single-piston, floating-calliper brakes at the rear. Options include M Sport brakes with discs measuring 374 mm in diameter, while the M Technic Sport Package adds 395 mm discs.
Naturally, the cockpit is nearly identical to the two-door siblings with features such as the BMW Live Cockpit Professional which is standard in the Gran Coupe. Options list includes 16-speaker Harman Kardon Surround Sound System or Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System, four-zone automatic climate control, soft-close doors, sun protection glass, an auxiliary heating system and a Heat Comfort package featuring heated armrests and a heated steering wheel.
Optional four-zone climate control
Besides the generous legroom, the rear passengers also get integrated headrests, and more shoulder room, apparently. The backrests split in 40:20:40. Standard specification includes sports seats and Vernasca leather trim. Ambient lighting also comes as standard.
Also standard is Adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers, whose compression and rebound stages are adjusted continuously and independently. Damping characteristics can be adjusted via the Driving Experience Control switch. The optional Adaptive M suspension Professional includes active roll stabilisation.
As you might expect, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to the front wheels at speeds of up to 72 km/h (45 mph), and in the same direction at higher speeds.
Assistance and safety systems include standard Head-Up Display, Cruise Control with braking function, Driving Assistant which includes Collision and Pedestrian Warning with City Braking function, and Parking Assistant and reversing assistant (traces the vehicle’s last forward movements in reverse). Options include Active Cruise Control system with Stop & Go function, Driving Assistant Professional (includes steering and lane control assistant), Night Vision system, and Parking Assistant Plus.
Optional glass applications
Powertrains
At launch, there’ll be 840i (3.0L), 840i xDrive (3.0L), M850i xDrive (4.4L), and 840d xDrive (3.0L) variants. The entry-level 840i’s in-line 6-cylinder petrol engine offers 300 hp and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque, while the M850i’s V8 packs 530 hp and 750 Nm (553 lb-ft) of torque. The 840d diesel engine’s 320 hp and 680 Nm (502 lb-ft) of torque isn’t bad either. All engines are paired with an 8-speed Steptronic transmission. As for 0-100 km/h (62 mph) sprint time, the M850i takes 3.9 seconds. Top speed is limited to 250 km/h (155 mph).
The M Sport differential with active locking function at the rear axle is standard on the 840i and M850i.
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