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ObACHT! ACHTclothes! BeACHTLich! Yawn! These puns are almost as bland as once BMW's Kamapgne to BMW 1er M. "Hrzrasn", it said back then. Something like that Juveniles does not fit the new showpiece - not PrACHTpiece! - from Munich. No, the new BMW 8er actually causes tachycardia - with all the letters that go with it. He does not need this frills, but comes up with the evil expression of a big cat. He has the elegance of this in tow right away. What the luxury coupe can do that has chosen the S Coupé from Stuttgart as its favorite duelist? We'll see!
What happened until now
850i: A number-letter combination that reminds one of the early 1990 years. BMW tried its luck with a super-flat luxury coupe already at that time. On many of these specimens, the letter combination "FU 911" should have been written on the license plate behind the location. Subtly is different. And somehow the BMW 8er enjoyed a disreputable image that matched the license plate provocation. The design? Flat, wide, undoubtedly sporty. But who would have expected a V12 with at least 300 PS under the hood of Bayern? The driving performance? At least on the highway, the 911er could dress warmly.
Back to the Future
And today? Also there is again a 850i. However, this renounces four pots and trusts in an old acquaintance, the 4.4 liter V8 with twin-scroll turbocharger. The result is bearish 390 kW / 530 horsepower and - sticking - truck-type 750 Nm torque. Of course, this results in corresponding performance, which even a Zuffenhausener good face. Thanks to the all-wheel drive xDrive, this BMW 8er beamed to 3,7 km / h in 100 seconds. The legacy of the original model? The politically correct lock at 250 km / h. Not that at Horst in Gerolfing an antler falls off the wall. This remains due to the reasonable standard consumption of 10,5 liters on the wall.
The people of Munich call it sports cars, the BMW 8er. This also fits the described unit. Fans of this guild scare at the following word: DIESEL! And even the gentle reader of a big day newspaper with four letters will raise his fist grudgingly. If you take a close look at the diesel engine, you will find that this may not be a sport engine, but it may be one that suits a luxury coupe, like the Janker for battered leather. 235 kW / 320 PS and 680 Nm can be considered as tight as the calves in the corresponding leather leggings have to be. In 4,9 seconds, the digital tachometer screwed to 100 km / h and joins at the top speed of his petrol brother. The average consumption? Lies on the Maß-Bier level of a Prussian Oktoberfest tourist before he has to make an unscheduled pit stop. In numbers these are between 5,9 and 6,2 liters.
2 x 4 = EIGHT!
Looking at the new luxury coupe, one finds reminiscences of various other BMW derivatives. A little 6er BMW here, a little Z4 study there, and quite a bit of BMW 4er here. Of course, the BMW 8er looks more powerful than the sinewy mid-size coupe. Powerful, but not sedate - a little like a Vladimir Klitschko: Big, heavy, but also athletic and sensational. This can be seen in the flat headlamps with optional laser light or the sharp contours of the hood or on the flanks. The one-piece BMW kidney looks slightly oversized. That fits in with the face of the luxury coupe almost as well as a golden and diamond-studded Rolex on the wrist of Charlize Theron.
At the rear, one finally discovers the relationship to the BMW 4er: The elongated roof section, which ends in a bold spoiler lip on the trunk lid, the rudimentary L-shaped taillights and the rugged rear apron create the parallels. Nevertheless, one recognizes the BMW 8er as such.
The inner values? Classic and modern at the same time
Of course - and this is the only way for a Bavarian athlete - the cockpit is facing the driver. That sounds a bit like "We've always done that and it stays that way!". Well, this idea is not bad, so why reject it? And since the BMW 8er is already geared towards the driver or the pilot, one looks at a head-up display with an enlarged projection screen, including 3D graphics. Scho sche!
Digital continues with the BMW Live Cockpit Professional - digital instruments. By no means contrary, but absolutely tasteful and noble is the enclosure of the modern world of experience. Fine materials such as leather, stainless steel and piano lacquer welcome the passengers. Even the dashboard and the door equipment are made of leather. A lot of animal lovers will climb onto the roof with a warning finger. On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with the particularly noble automatic lever in glass. He is completely vegan after all.
Overall, when designing the interior, great importance was attached to longitudinally oriented lines. The BMW 8 Series just wants to be a driver's car - and that in times of the expansion of autonomous systems ... The sporty claim is also evident in the low seating position of the 2 + 2-seater. The operating structure of the infotainment is clearer than the dichotomy between the driver's car and autonomous systems. Even the host from Gerolfing understands that. The delicacies include the wireless charging of the smartphone, the display key, with which you can control the car remotely, and the Bowers & Wilkins sound system. And if you want to take the sports car on a long tour in the dress of a real GT, the 420 liter trunk is ready. With an automatic tailgate, of course.
To be continued…
It is already clear that there will be a BMW M8. His performance is not yet known, but let already start the mouth. In addition, there is a BMW M8 GTE, which is planned for racing. As a base ingredient - and all BMW 8er unite - a low center of gravity, a balanced axle load distribution and lightweight construction come into play. Alloy, magnesium and carbon also support dynamic driving, such as four-wheel drive, rear-axle differential, adaptive M suspension or Integral Active Steering.
Of course, the new luxury coupé has all the electronic helpers that you can imagine. And a few more: On board are active cruise control with stop & go function, side collision protection, evasive assistance and a right-of-way and wrong-way warning. Not bad, after all, even the best driver can not be involved. And the original 8? He opens the pop-up headlights and watches the successor very closely as he occupies the niche again.
