After the moniker was retired back in 1999, BMW is reintroducing the 8 Series to its line-up once again and will take over the mantle as the brand’s flagship range.
With the standard model due to be released later this year, BMW gave us a taster of how the final piece in the 8 Series puzzle will look by displaying the M8 Gran Coupe concept at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show.
Fitted with two extra doors and more passenger space, the Gran Coupe will be an extension of the standard two-door coupe and the M version will be potent to say the least.
But what can we expect from the M8 Gran Coupe when we see the final production model next year? Let’s take a look…
Stunning looks
Although concepts can be a bit more extreme than the production version, we hope that the final M8 design will follow on from the version we’ve seen already. It’s aggressive, sharp and quite menacing – but that’s more than alright for us. With a pair of dual-creasing lines on the bonnet, the side of the model is also sculpted for further sportiness, and when you add in the lip spoiler on the back, this car looks mightily impressive. Complement that with the yellow headlights, and the concept look seriously good.
A seriously powerful engine
As it was used on the recently introduced M5, the M8 is due to be fitted with the same twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 that is expected to produce a whopping 650bhp and get up to a top speed of 155mph. With the M8 also likely to come with a driver’s package, that top speed could be derestricted to go up to a reported 191mph. That also means it will come with four-wheel drive and a sporty eight-speed automatic transmission.
Lots of space on offer
As with Gran Coupe models compared to other BMW coupes, it will come with more space than the standard M8 – but it really does depend if you need that extra room. You will also be needing less effort to get into the back thanks to the addition of two rear doors. With Mercedes-AMG unveiling its 4-Door Coupe, which aims to take the family along for the souped-up ride, the M8 Gran Coupe could be a more than worthy rival in terms of both space and speed.
It will be pricey though
As the car that will epitomise the brand, BMW will throw everything at this car to make it as great as possible. But that does mean a high list price is more than likely, with the pinnacle of the range likely to cost upwards of £110,000. Other performance options will be available in the standard 8 Series range, so if that’s too much all hope is not lost.
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