After much anticipation (spilling over this week in the form of leaked images), BMW have revealed the look of their BMW 8 Series Concept. Though that latter tag should be ingested with a grain of salt, as production is slated for next year.
The '8' name hasn't been used by the German marque since their much-loved 8 Series of the '90s — a sumptuous V8 or V12-powered GT cruiser with timeless styling, coolness factor that goes off the scale, and firm status as a modern classic.
Some of that status remains with the new 8 Series, with other elements still yet to be uncovered.
In terms of the design, it's already been met with mixed response from fans online. Naturally, like most other slick two-door coupes of the day, some people are drawing comparison between it and Aston Martin's offerings. There are elements it shares with, say, the new DB11 — such as the duck-tail rear wing.
But for the most part, it's very contemporary BMW. Gaping vents on all four corners tie in with cues on their current M performance cars, and of course the car is fronted with BMW's traditional twin-kidneys.
What will power it? BMW hasn't confirmed that just yet, but it's rumoured that a 3.0-litre six, a turbocharged 4.4-litre V8, and an also turbocharged 6.6-litre V12 (yep, the one from the M760Li xDrive) are potentially on the menu. That's more than enough weaponry to help BMW comfortably take on luxury coupe rivals like the Mercedes-Benz S Class coupe and the Lexus LC 500.
"The forthcoming BMW 8-Series Coupe will demonstrate that razor-sharp dynamics and modern luxury can go hand-in-hand,” says BMW Chairman Harald Krüger.
“This will be the next model in the expansion of our luxury-car offering and will raise the benchmark for coupes in the segment. In the process, we will strengthen our claim to leadership in the luxury class.”
The next query is whether it's New Zealand bound. Driven contacted BMW New Zealand and they could only affirm what we already knew; that an international launch was forthcoming next year.
Fingers are all crossed.
