Last year when we first laid eyes on the BMW 8 Series concept at Villa d’Este in Italy, all thoughts turned to the eventual production model and how the show car would translate to the road.

As the Bavarians do so often with their concepts, the tradition was an easy one and you’re now looking at the new production-ready BMW flagship model, the 2019 8 Series Coupe.

Note BMW wants to remind you this is a coupe, or more precisely, Coupe, because the new 8 Series will grow into a range of cars most likely to include a drop-top, a four-door Gran Coupe, and the related X8 SUV that’s rumoured for the 2020s. 

For now we have the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe, which will roll out made out of plenty of aluminium, magnesium, and carbon-fibe reinforced plastic, with the Germans highlighting a low centre of gravity, balanced weight distribution, light kerb figure, and high body stiffness.

Through the M catalogue you can also have spiffy things like adaptive suspension, carbon fibre roof, and a rear spoiler and diffuser.

The highlight of course is what’s under the long bonnet, and BMW fits the M850i with a new 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 developing 68bhp more than before, for a total of 530bhp and 750Nm of torque from 1,800rpm. With all-corner traction, the 8 Series isn’t just a Grand Tourer — zero to 100kph takes just 3.7 seconds which makes it quicker than the old M6 by 0.6 seconds.

To ensure the 1.9-tonne car handles corners you might be interested in an M rear differential, and 20in wheels covering high-performance M brakes. You can look forward to the 8 Series going on sale by the end of the year.

 

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