BMW 8 Series

Last updated
BMW 8 Series
2019 BMW M850i xDrive, front 1.23.20.jpg
Overview
Production
  • 1990–1999
  • 2018–present
Body and chassis
Class Grand tourer (S)
Body style
Layout

The BMW 8 Series is a range of grand tourer coupes and convertibles produced by BMW.

Contents

The 8 Series was introduced in 1990 under the E31 model code and was only available as a two-door coupé. [1] It is powered by a range of naturally aspirated V8 and V12 petrol engines. [2] The E31 started production just as E24 6 Series production ended; however, it is not considered a direct successor. [3] The E31 was discontinued in 1999 due to poor sales. [4]

The model range was later reintroduced in 2018 with the second generation, G15 8 Series. [5] It launched in coupé (G15), convertible (G14), and four-door Gran Coupé (G16) body styles, as the successor to the F06/F12/F13 6 Series lineup. [6] The G15 8 Series introduces an inline-six diesel engine, [7] [8] and a high-performance BMW M8 trim later joined the lineup as well as the luxury inspired Alpina B8. [9]

First generation: BMW 8 Series E31 (1990–1999)

E31 front BMW 840 Ci 1.jpg
E31 front
E31 rear BMW 840 Ci 1.jpg
E31 rear

Design work of the first generation E31 8 Series began in 1984, with final design phase and production development starting in 1986. The car debuted at the 1989 Frankfurt Motor Show and was produced until 1999. [10] The 8 Series was designed to move beyond the market of the original E24 6 Series, featuring greater performance and an increased price. The 8 Series was the first road car to offer a V12 engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission and was one of the first vehicles to be fitted with electronic drive-by-wire throttle. [11] The 8 Series was also one of BMW's first cars to use a multi-link rear axle. [12]

Second generation (G14/G15/G16; 2018–present)

G14 front 2018 BMW 840d xDrive Automatic 3.0.jpg
G14 front
G14 rear BMW 840d, IFA 2018, Berlin (P1070298-Pano).jpg
G14 rear

The BMW 8 Series (G14) was announced on June 15, 2018, with sales commencing from November 2018. [13] It was initially available as a coupé (codenamed G15), with the convertible (G14) and four-door Gran Coupé (G16) variants introduced later, succeeding the F06/F12/F13 6 Series lineup. [14] Production commenced in late 2018 at the BMW assembly plant in Bangkok, Thailand & Dingolfing, Germany. [15]

Direct competitors to the BMW 8 Series coupé and convertible are the Mercedes-AMG GT coupé & cabriolet and Porsche 911 coupé & cabriolet. The 8 series was initially conceived to be a high end competitor to brands like Ferrari and Porsche. At the time the brand had wanted to create a new luxury tier of vehicles with black branding, the 8 series and the X8 would be ultra luxury BMWs aimed at the space just below Rolls and share appointments with the high end British brand to help reduce costs. BMW was seen as falling behind in the electric vehicle sector and plans were tabled, the 8 series being the lone product of the idea and some appointments such as the crystal shift knob are the only remnants of the ultra luxury concept. For the second time in BMWs history the push up market with an 8 series branded line struggled due to poor timing. The 6 series had been platform mates with the 7 series since its conception and the current 8 series is closest to a 5 series though has the carbon fiber core from the 7 series which is reflected in the price increase when compared to the 6 series it replaced. The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé which has improved rear passenger space dimensions compared to the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé (F06), [7] is seen as a flashier sportier alternative to its platform-mate, the more traditional BMW 5 Series sedan, and it competes with the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé and Porsche Panamera. [16] [17] [18]

In 2022, BMW updated the 8 Series with an updated look and tech. [19] The Iconic Illuminated Glow kidney grille has been added, as is a larger 12.3-inch infotainment system that replaces the 10.25-inch unit.

The M8 Competition Coupe was unveiled in 2020 in the Geneva International Motor Show

M8 Competition Specifications

BMW M8 Competition Coupe BMW M8 Competition IMG 3364.jpg
BMW M8 Competition Coupe

Engine

At launch, the 8 Series was powered by a six-cylinder petrol engine making 230 kW (313 PS; 308 hp) and 460 N⋅m (339 lbf⋅ft), an engine also used in the new BMW 7 series. Further engines will follow soon after the start of production. [20] All units will receive a 48-volt vehicle electrical system, which together with the belt alternator starter (BAS) comprises the PHEV system (Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle). [4]

Asia

The 840d is mild engine sports car known to be the second overall car launched in Thailand. It owns a 3,401.0 cm3 (207.5418 cu in) I6 engine if diesel and if petrol, they indicate a 3,104.0 cm3 (189.4177 cu in) I6 twin-turbo, a 1,604.0 cm3 (97.88209 cu in). It has an indicator system that indicates the twin-turbo from the exhaust pipe to give a higher rpm.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW 3 Series</span> Motor vehicle

The BMW 3 Series is a line of compact executive cars manufactured by the German automaker BMW since May 1975. It is the successor to the 02 Series and has been produced in seven generations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW 6 Series</span> Motor vehicle

The BMW 6 Series is a range of grand tourers produced by BMW since 1976. It is the successor to the E9 Coupé and is currently in its fourth generation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW 6 Series (E63)</span> Motor vehicle

The second generation of the BMW 6 Series consists of the BMW E63 and BMW E64 grand tourers. The E63/E64 generation was produced by BMW from 2003 to 2010 and is often collectively referred to as the E63.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW M6</span> High performance version of the BMW 6 Series

The BMW M6 is a high-performance version of the 6 Series marketed under the BMW M sub-brand from 1983 to 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW M</span> High-performance car manufacturer owned by BMW

BMW M GmbH, formerly known as BMW Motorsport GmbH, is a subsidiary of BMW AG that manufactures performance cars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geneva International Motor Show</span> Annual Swiss auto show

The Geneva International Motor Show is an annual auto show held in March in the Swiss city of Geneva.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW M8</span> High performance version of the BMW 8 Series

The BMW M8 is the high performance version of the BMW 8 Series (G15) marketed under the BMW M sub-brand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW N63</span> Reciprocating internal combustion engine

The BMW N63 is a twin-turbocharged petrol V8 engine which has been in production from 2008 to present. The N63 is the world's first production car engine to use a "hot-vee" layout, with the turbochargers located inside the "V" of the engine. It is also BMW's first turbocharged petrol V8 engine. The engine has been widely noted for its mechanical issues, undergoing several recalls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW 1 Series</span> Motor vehicle

The BMW 1 Series is a range of subcompact executive cars (C-segment) manufactured by BMW since 2004. It is the successor to the BMW 3 Series Compact and is currently in its third generation. Positioned as the entry level model in BMW range of products, the first generation was produced in hatchback, coupé and convertible body styles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW 6 Series (F12)</span> Motor vehicle

The third generation of the BMW 6 Series consists of the BMW F12, BMW F13BMW F06 executive-sized grand tourers. The F12/F13/F06 generation was produced from 2011 to 2018 and is often collectively referred to as the F12.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW 4 Series</span> Compact executive car manufactured by BMW

The BMW 4 Series is a range of compact executive cars manufactured by BMW since 2013. The 4 Series was created when BMW spun off the 2-door models of the 3 Series into a separate series. The 4 Series is currently in its second generation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW 2 Series</span> Range of subcompact executive cars manufactured by BMW

The BMW 2 Series is a range of subcompact executive cars (C-segment) manufactured by BMW since 2014. The 2 Series was created when BMW spun-off the 2-door models of the BMW 1 Series into a separate series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW 4 Series (F32)</span> First-generation of BMW 4 Series

The first generation of the BMW 4 Series consists of the BMW F32, BMW F33 and BMW F36 compact executive cars. The F32/F33/F36 was produced from 2014 to 2020 and is often collectively referred to as the F32.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW 8 Series (E31)</span> BMW luxury grand tourer

The BMW E31 is the first generation of the BMW 8 Series. It is a grand tourer built by BMW from 1990 to 1999 as a 2-door coupé, powered by either a V8 or V12 engine. Whilst it did supplant the original E24 based 6 Series in 1990, it was not a direct successor, but a new model class with a substantially higher price and performance than the 6 Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW 6 Series (G32)</span> Motor vehicle

The G32 BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo is the second generation of the BMW Gran Turismo range of 5-door liftback executive cars launched in 2017, based upon the BMW 5 Series (G30). The 6 Series Gran Turismo is the successor to the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo (F07) that was based upon the 5 Series (F10). A facelifted version of the 6 Series Gran Turismo was unveiled alongside the facelifted 5 Series on 27 May 2020. For 2021, a mild hybrid powertrain was introduced. The 6 Series Gran Turismo was discontinued in August 2023 with no successor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW 8 Series (G15)</span> Motor vehicle

The second-generation of the BMW 8 Series consists of the BMW G14, BMW G15 grand tourers and BMW G16 executive cars (E). The G14/G15/G16 generation has been in production since 2018, and is often collectively referred to as the G15.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alpina B6 (F12)</span> German automobile

The Alpina B6 (F12) is the third generation of the high performance grand tourer manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Alpina. Introduced at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, the B6 was based on the BMW 6 Series and was available in coupé and convertible body styles, with the latter being introduced at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. A third saloon bodystyle called the gran coupé was introduced in 2014. The Alpina B6 gran coupé was replaced by the Alpina B8 gran coupe (G16) in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW Manufacturing (Thailand)</span>

BMW Manufacturing (Thailand) Co., Ltd. is an automobile manufacturing company based Rayong, in the Rayong Province of eastern Thailand and a subsidiary of BMW Group Thailand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW 4 Series (G22)</span> Second-generation BMW 4 Series

The second generation of the BMW 4 Series consists of the BMW G22 along with the BMW G23 and BMW G26 compact executive cars. The G22 4 Series was launched in June 2020 and succeeds the F32 4 Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé</span> Motor vehicle

The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé is a subcompact executive sedan produced by BMW. It was revealed on 16 October 2019, and officially premiered at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show in November. It was launched in worldwide markets in March 2020. For most markets, the 2 Series Gran Coupé is the smallest four-door sedan offered by BMW, except in China and Mexico where the F52 1 Series sedan is offered.

References

  1. ↑ "TEST DRIVE: The Iconic E31 BMW 8 Series". BMW BLOG. 2018-07-26. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  2. ↑ "1989 - 1999 BMW 8-series @ Top Speed". Top Speed. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  3. ↑ George, Patrick. "The 8-Series Was One Of BMW's Best Failed Experiments". Jalopnik. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  4. 1 2 "8 Series: The Most Underrated BMW Ever" . Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  5. 1 2 Trop, Jaclyn. "BMW 8 Series Coupe Returns After A 19-Year Hiatus". Forbes. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  6. 1 2 "BMW M8 Gran Coupe Reviews | BMW M8 Gran Coupe Price, Photos, and Specs | Car and Driver". Car and Driver. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  7. 1 2 "Review: Did BMW Just Save the Four-Door Sport Sedan?".
  8. 1 2 "New BMW 8-series Gran Coupe spied testing". CAR Magazine. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  9. 1 2 "The new BMW M8 will come in three shapes". Top Gear. 2018-04-25. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  10. ↑ "Ten reasons why BMW's old 8 Series is cool". Top Gear. 2018-01-25. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  11. ↑ "Remembering The 1990 - 1999 BMW 8 Series: Almost Paradise". Motor1.com. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  12. ↑ "How To OEM+ Restore A BMW 850Ci - Speedhunters". Speedhunters. 2017-09-19. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  13. ↑ "This is the brand new BMW 8 Series Coupe". Top Gear. 2018-06-15. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  14. ↑ "BMW 8 Series Convertible, Gran Coupe Officially Confirmed For 2019". Motor1.com. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  15. ↑ Panait, Mircea (2018-07-06). "2019 BMW 8 Series Coupe Enters Production at Dingolfing Plant". autoevolution. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  16. ↑ Kacher, Georg (2016-10-12). "7 vs. 8: BMW Insiders Clash Over Flagship Future" . Retrieved 2020-08-20.
  17. ↑ Duff, Mike (2019-10-02). "2020 BMW 840i Gran Coupe Is the Prettier and Practical 8-Series" . Retrieved 2020-08-20.
  18. ↑ Scherr, Elana (2021-04-12). "Tested: 2021 Audi RS7 vs. 2020 BMW M8 Gran Coupe vs. 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT63 S" . Retrieved 2021-11-09.
  19. ↑ "2022 BMW 8 Series facelift revealed - Iconic Glow illuminated kidney grille, 12.3-inch infotainment screen - paultan.org". January 26, 2022.
  20. ↑ Of, Andreas; Hebermehl, Gregor; Thomas, Jörn; Lang, Patrick (8 February 2018). "Das kostet ein Audi A7 Sportback (2018) mit Vollausstattung: Praxis-Test für das Viertürer-Coupé mit A8-Technik". auto motor und sport (in German). Motor Presse Stuttgart GmbH & Co. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.