BMW unveils the new 8 Series Gran Coupe

A four-door sports car has been added to the new BMW 8 Series range. With its standalone body concept, plus powertrain and chassis technology designed squarely to engender supreme dynamic ability, the new BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe embodies a brand of sporting flair unique in the luxury segment. Joining the BMW 8 Series Coupe and the BMW 8 Series Convertible as the third model in the 8 Series range, the Gran Coupe has a character all of its own, combining smile-inducing performance and design shaped by dynamism and elegance with significantly increased spaciousness for passengers in the rear seats.

The combination of precisely drawn lines and expansive surfaces helps the exterior of the new BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe to strike a unique balance between dynamism and elegance. The four-door coupe concept has been translated into a body of standout pomp and progressiveness. The four-door model has a 3,023mm wheelbase - an increase of 201mm over the BMW 8 Series Coupe - and measures 5,082mm in length (+231mm), 1,932mm in width (+30mm) and 1,407mm in height (+61mm).

As well as its distinctive proportions, the design of the new BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe's flanks and rear end also clearly distinguishes it from its 8 Series stablemates. Because the windscreen frame is more upright, the roofline is also higher, meaning additional headroom in both the front and rear. The roofline merges into the tail in a graceful sweep, via a fin-shaped transition in the vicinity of the C-pillars that emphasises the elongated silhouette.

The distinctive style of the new BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe is also expressed in the design of its interior. The extra length of the wheelbase and generously sized door apertures give passengers in the rear unprecedented legroom for a BMW coupe - and they are able to get in and out more easily than ever as well. Those in the rear seats also benefit from substantially greater shoulder room and headroom than in the two-door version of the new BMW 8 Series, making the second-row seats even more comfortable to travel in.

The extended centre console is exclusive to the new BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe model, as is the rear seat unit featuring outer seats styled as individual seats. A third seat for use on short journeys nestles between the two outer seats and has a complete seatbelt system, making the new BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe a 4+1-seater. With a capacity of 440 litres, the boot is big enough to accommodate three golf bags.

The imposing power delivery of the 4.4-litre V8 engine in the new M850i xDrive Gran Coupe is accompanied by a character-rich soundtrack further amplified by the M Sport exhaust system. With its maximum output of 523bhp and peak torque of 750Nm, the M850i xDrive Gran Coupe accelerates from 0-100km/h in 3.9 seconds.

The 840i Gran Coupe and 840i xDrive Gran Coupe models come equipped with a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine producing 335bhp and 500Nm of torque. The 840i Gran Coupe powers from rest to 100km/h in 5.2 seconds, and the 840i xDrive Gran Coupe in 4.9 seconds. The 3.0-litre straight-six diesel unit gracing the new 840d xDrive Gran Coupe delivers 315bhp and 680Nm of torque. 

The exceptional agility, precision and performance of the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe's chassis are the product of the design principles underpinning it and a setup optimised using the racing expertise of BMW M GmbH. The Gran Coupe's wheelbase is 201mm longer than its Coupe sibling's. This enhances ride comfort by enabling the chassis tuning to be modified without compromising its sporting instincts.

All the standard and optional suspension systems - along with the basic chassis components - have been tuned precisely to the fundamental characteristics of the new BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe defined by its dimensions and weight distribution. This has enabled the extraordinary performance qualities of the BMW 8 Series Coupe to be passed on to its four-door sibling.