2020 BMW 8-Series Gran Coupe Combines Good Looks With Up To 523 HP


The BMW 8-Series lineup is growing as the company has unveiled the all-new Gran Coupe variant.

Looking significantly more attractive than the 6-Series Gran Coupe, the 8-Series has a familiar front fascia that closely echoes the standard model.  As a result, the car has a wide grille that is flanked by adaptive LED headlights with laserlights.


Despite the familiar design, the Gran Coupe has a less rakish windscreen and a taller roof. The model also has two rear doors and a pronounced shoulder line.  A panoramic glass moonroof will come standard, but the M850i xDrive Gran Coupe will eventually be offered with an optional carbon fiber roof.

Compared to the Coupe, the Gran Coupe is 9.0 inches (228.6 mm) longer, 1.2 inches (30.5 mm) wider and 2.2 inches (55.9 mm) taller.  The wheelbase has also been stretched by 7.9 inches (200.7 mm) to allow for more practical rear seats.


Speaking of the latter, the model has an extra 3.4 inches (86.4 mm) of rear seat headroom as well as an additional 7.1 inches (180.3 mm) of legroom.  Rear shoulder room also improves by 7.7 inches (195.5 mm), while trunk space climbs by 0.7 cubic feet (19.8 liters).

The cabin largely carries over and drivers will find a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster as well as 10.25-inch infotainment system.  Other highlights include heated front sport seats, ambient lighting and a 40:20:40 split folding rear seat.  There’s also a head-up display, a wireless smartphone charger and a 16-speaker Harman-Kardon audio system.


An assortment of options will be available including a Driving Assistance Professional package. It includes Active Cruise Control, Active Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure Warning, Surround View Camera, Parking Assistant, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Speed Limit Information.

At launch, the model will be offered with an assortment of different engines including a 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder that produces 335 hp (250 kW / 340 PS) and 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) of torque. It is connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission which can be paired to an optional all-wheel drive system. With the latter option checked, the car can accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 4.9 seconds, before hitting a limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).


Diesel fans can opt for the 840d xDrive Gran Coupe which has a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine producing 316 hp (235 kW / 320 PS) and 501 lb-ft (680 Nm) of torque. It is paired exclusively to an eight-speed automatic transmission and a standard all-wheel drive system. This allows the model to run from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 5.1 seconds and onto a limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).

Driving looking for something more powerful can wait for the M8 Gran Coupe or settle for the M850i xDrive. The latter has a 4.4-liter TwinPower Turbo V8 developing 523 hp (390 kW / 530 PS) and 553 lb-ft (750 Nm) of torque. Thanks to the extra power, the dash to 62 mph (100 km/h) is cut to 3.9 seconds while the top speed remains unchanged.


The United States won’t get the diesel-powered variant, but customers can opt for the 840i, 840i xDrive or M850i xDrive. They will arrive in America this September and pricing starts at $84,900. All-wheel drive adds $2,900 to the base price, while the M850i xDrive Gran Coupe will begin at $108,900.

carscoops

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Limited Edition Ford GT 'Competition Series' Is All About The Track

Image
Ford's new GT Competition Series was built with weight-saving in mind, but also with an improved center of gravity for better road-holding. Among its features, you'll notice the lightweight carbon fiber racing stripes, A-Pillars and side mirrors, as well as the unique race-inspired Perspex acrylic engine hatch with integrated venting. Thanks to the manual latch and the carbon fiber prop rod, weight near the roof has been reduced, though Ford engineers went even further in their quest to make the car lighter, by making the bulkhead Gorilla Glass behind the driver about half as thick (and as light) as on other models. "The Ford GT has racing in its blood," said Ford exec Raj Nair, while adding that the Competition Series "was developed with the most hardcore track enthusiasts in mind, providing a tailored set of lightweight features and unique livery to match." There are also plenty of remaining performance features from the production car, such as ...
Read more

Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet Is A Crossover For Droptop Lovers

Image
Droptop crossovers have always been rather odd and the T-Roc Cabriolet is no different. It will be the only convertible Volkswagen on sale for the foreseeable future and will celebrate its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Rather than simply removing the roof of the standard T-Roc, Volkswagen has drastically altered the vehicle’s structure and body. In fact, its wheelbase is 37 mm longer than the standard T-Roc while its overall length is up by 34 mm. In addition, the Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet features structural strengthening in the underbody, side panels, cross members, doors, and windscreen frame to make up for the lack of a roof. The folding fabric roof developed by Volkswagen retracts in just nine seconds at speeds of up to 19 mph (30.5 km/h) and is similar in operation to the roof of the outgoing Golf Cabriolet. The presence of the soft top reduces trunk space by 161 liters down from the 284 liters of the run-of-the-mill T-Roc. We don’t think bu...
Read more

Alpine A110 Hits Geneva With Pure, Legende And GT4 Versions

Image
Renault’s reborn Alpine brand has been getting rave reviews for its new A110 and now, as promised, it’s revealed new versions of its coupe at the Geneva Motor Show. Following the success of the sold-out Premiere Edition, the A110 will now be offered in Pure and Legende trims. The A110 Pure is targeted at driving enthusiasts. It features one-piece Sabelt sports seats that weigh barely more than 13 kilograms (28.6 pounds) each and, combined with other weight-saving measures, helps keep the curb weight below 1,100 kg ( 2,425 lbs). It’s not entirely stripped out, though, and still comes with features like air-conditioning and satellite navigation. Buyers can also add upgraded Brembo brakes and an adaptive exhaust system and can upgrade to the adjustable comfort seats. Those come standard on the Legende model, which is geared more towards every day driving and grand touring and comes with leather upholstery. Customers can also choose between two Focal sound systems and two wheel...
Read more