New 2023 BMW 8 Series M8 revealed
The latest BMW 8 Series has arrived in Coupe, Convertible, and Gran Coupe guises, the new car boasts striking design revisions and specification enhancements. However, perhaps the most notable aspect is a redesigned front end which, interestingly, does not feature BMW's controversial enlarged kidney grille as found on other new models.
That grille does, however, illuminate, the BMW 'Iconic Glow' kidney grille premieres for the very first time on the 8 Series. Furthermore, all 6-cylinder petrol variants of the new car will come with the M sports pack as standard in the UK. In unison the styling changes result in a body coloured front and rear apron as well as side skirts. The large lower air intakes at the front now feature horizontal struts and the diffuser insert in the rear apron is finished in Dark Shadow metallic. You'll find 20-inch M light alloy wheels in a Y-spoke design on each corner fitted with staggered tyres. The standard equipment list has also been enhanced to include sun protection glass on all Coupe and Gran Coupe models.
There are specific differences for the three M850i xDrive models, they also get M-specific design features; aerodynamic M exterior mirrors, and an M badge on the new double-bar style kidney grille. Standard equipment for the three V8 models includes the M Performance pack comprising 19” M sport brakes with callipers finished in gloss black, extended high-gloss Shadowline exterior trim, high-gloss black rear spoiler (Coupe models only) and M seat belts. The look is enhanced with a new style of 20-inch M light alloy wheels available at the entry-level. To mark the 50th anniversary of BMW M, all M850i xDrive models will have the option of sporting the classic 'BMW Motorsport' badge on the bonnet, tailgate and wheel hubs. There is a choice of four new exterior body colours including Skyscraper Grey, San Remo Green, M Portimao Blue and Individual Frozen Tanzanite Blue.
Arguably most important, though, is this. Based on what BMW calls 'changing customer demand', the 840d xDrive variant has been withdrawn from the UK market in all three body-styles, so there's no longer the option of diesel power, that leaves a choice of either the range-topping V8 M850i xDrive or the six-cylinder 40i engines. Dependent on the power unit selected, the new 8 Series variants feature four-wheel drive or classic rear-wheeldrive systems. The M850i xDrive Coupe, Convertible, and Gran Coupe models benefit from BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system, the 333hp 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder petrol engine in the 840i Coupe, Convertible, and Gran Coupe is twinned with traditional rearwheel drive propulsion.
The 8 Series continues to offer three distinct options for BMW drivers. The Coupe embodies the classic two-door body shape in the typical BMW tradition of sports cars from days of old, the Convertible combines sporting performance with the appeal of open-top driving pleasure (its soft top can be opened or closed automatically in 15-seconds at the touch of a button and speeds up to 31mph). Lastly comes the four-door Gran Coupe model which combines performance with enhanced levels of practicality.
Inside comes a few changes too, all aimed at making the 8 Series feel more luxurious. There's a larger 12.3-inch central display (up in size from 10.25-inches) as part of the BMW Live Cockpit Professional system, but further interior gains come via BMW Individual Merino leather upholstery (available in a variety of colours, including Bicolour) and multi-function seats – new to the facelift. There are also galvanised surfaces of the side air vent surrounds and door handle accent strips, allowing them to be integrated as stylish closed clasps. To match these, the controls for the windows, door locks and seat memory function integrated into the door sills now also feature electroplated galvanised surfaces in all models to make them feel premium.
The new 8 Series is priced from Ј72,225 for the 840i Gran Coupe, rising to Ј110,715 for the M850i xDrive Convertible, the new model is available to order now with the first deliveries due in Spring 2022.