The new BMW 8 Series - it's here!

General Guides  New Launches 

We probably don't need to explain how the BMW range works. We all know the greater the number the more BMW you get for your money. And if you want the maximum amount of bang for your buck you need to lease yourself the new BMW 8 Series.

This is the luxury sports car end of the BMW range, and it offers a choice of three body styles and two petrol engines – BMW has dropped the diesel version from the UK market on the basis of “changing customer demand”.

The 8 Series Coupé offers the traditional two-door body shape of BMW's legendary sports cars and was actually developed alongside the BMW M8 GTE endurance racing car, so it's got the looks. The 8 Series Convertible combines the performance and exclusivity with open-top driving pleasure, and the new 8 Series is rounded off with the four-door Gran Coupé which adds a huge amount of practicality to the BMW performance, as well as a higher level of standard specification including four-zone air conditioning and front/rear heated seats.

Losing the choice of diesel also means the latest BMW 8 Series gets the engine purists would say it deserves.

It's hardly fair to describe a 333hp 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine as entry-level, but in the 8 Series that's exactly what it is. The BMW 840i versions with classic rear-wheel drive can sprint to 60mph in a little over 5 seconds and keep going to the inevitably limited 155mph. All versions come with the M-Sport pack as standard. If that sounds a bit tame there's always the option of the range-topping M850i with the 530bhp V8 and sub-4.0-sec sprint time. To keep the extra 200bhp in check you also get BMW's signature xDrive all-wheel drive system.





Regardless of body shape, the BMW 8 Series makes an impression with a redesigned front end and series specific touches.

The aerodynamic 8 Series features body coloured front and rear apron and side skirts, huge air intakes, new wheels, adaptive LED headlights, four new exterior colour choices, and the BMW kidney grille now comes as standard with the “Iconic Glow”, which illuminates the grille as soon as the vehicle is opened. To mark the 50th anniversary of the BMW M Division , all M850i models will have the option of the classic “BMW Motorsport” badge applied to the bonnet, tailgate, and wheel hubs. The staggered semicircles in blue, purple and red, are inspired by the original BMW M GmbH trademark that was first used on racing cars in 1973.

The interior of the new BMW 8 Series is as luxurious as you would expect too.

Ambient Lighting illuminates the contours of the dashboard and door sills, an M leather steering wheel with multifunction buttons and shift paddles to operate the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission now comes as standard, and the wide console which separates the driver and front passenger areas helps create a sporty atmosphere. The standard multifunction seats offer excellent lateral support and long-distance comfort and are finished in Merino leather upholstery available in a variety of colours. The dashboard and door sills are also upholstered in leather as standard. In the BMW 8 Series Coupé, as well as the Convertible, there are two rear seats. The second row of the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé offers increased legroom and a third seat.





Standard equipment on the new BMW 8 Series also includes the BMW Live Cockpit Professional with navigation, personal assistant, head-up display, and wireless smartphone connection. It consists of a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel and a Control Display now increased in size from 10.25 to 12.3 inches. To make life easier the new BMW 8 Series also includes a rear-view camera, active park distance control and reverse assistant as standard. The optional Parking Assistant Plus offers surround view, 3D view and Drive Recorder, and the Driving Assistant Professional adds Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function plus traffic light recognition and automatic Speed Limit Assist, as well as steering and lane guidance assistance.

Go on, admit it. You want one, don't you…

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