The BMW 8 Series is a range of grand tourer coupes and
convertibles produced by BMW.
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 (E31; 1990)
[edit]
Main article: BMW 8 Series (E31)
E31 front 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)
[edit]
Main article: BMW 8 Series (G15)
G14 front G14
rear
The BMW 8 Series (G14) was announced on 15 June 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
[edit]
Engine: twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve
V8, stainless steel block and heads, direct fuel injections.
268.6 cu in (4,401 cc)
460 kW (616.9 bhp)
750 N⋅ m (553.2 lb⋅ ft) at 2150 rpm.
BMW M8 Competition Coupe
Engine
[edit]
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
[edit]
The second generation 8 Series Coupe was launched in
Thailand in December 2018.[5] In April 2021, an additional
extended wheelbase three box sedan variant, called the 8 Series
Gran Coupe, was launched in China. The 8 Series Gran Coupe is
manufactured by BMW Thailand as one of the first BMW
products to be produced by BMW.[6] The M8 Competition Type
A12/2M was launched in Pakistan in 2019, one year after its
launch in India.[8] As of 2019, the second generation of the
BMW 8 Series was also the first generation of the 8 Series to be
sold in Bangladesh.[9] In May 2019, the second generation of 8
Series was sold in Oman. It was introduced to
the Indonesian market in October 2018 and to the Thai market
in February 2020.Sales in Japan ended in June 2024.
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
[edit]
List of BMW vehicles
References
[edit]
1. ^ "TEST DRIVE: The Iconic E31 BMW 8 Series". BMW BLOG. 26 July
2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
2. ^ "1989 – 1999 BMW 8-series @ Top Speed". Top Speed.
Retrieved 25 August 2018.
3. ^ George, Patrick. "The 8-Series Was One Of BMW's Best Failed
Experiments". Jalopnik. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
4. ^ Jump up to:a b "8 Series: The Most Underrated BMW Ever".
Retrieved 25 August 2018.
5. ^ Jump up to:a b Trop, Jaclyn. "BMW 8 Series Coupe Returns After A
19-Year Hiatus". Forbes. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
6. ^ Jump up to:a b "BMW M8 Gran Coupe Reviews | BMW M8 Gran
Coupe Price, Photos, and Specs | Car and Driver". Car and Driver.
Retrieved 25 August 2018.
7. ^ Jump up to:a b "Review: Did BMW Just Save the Four-Door Sport
Sedan?". InsideHook.
8. ^ Jump up to:a b "New BMW 8-series Gran Coupe spied testing". CAR
Magazine. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
9. ^ Jump up to:a b "The new BMW M8 will come in three shapes". Top
Gear. 25 April 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
10. ^ "Ten reasons why BMW's old 8 Series is cool". Top Gear. 25 January
2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
11. ^ "Remembering The 1990 – 1999 BMW 8 Series: Almost
Paradise". Motor1.com. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
12. ^ "How To OEM+ Restore A BMW 850Ci –
Speedhunters". Speedhunters. 19 September 2017. Retrieved 25
August 2018.
13. ^ "This is the brand new BMW 8 Series Coupe". Top Gear. 15 June
2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
14. ^ "BMW 8 Series Convertible, Gran Coupe Officially Confirmed For
2019". Motor1.com. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
15. ^ Panait, Mircea (6 July 2018). "2019 BMW 8 Series Coupe Enters
Production at Dingolfing Plant". autoevolution. Retrieved 25
August 2018.
16. ^ Kacher, Georg (12 October 2016). "7 vs. 8: BMW Insiders Clash
Over Flagship Future". Retrieved 20 August 2020.
17. ^ Duff, Mike (2 October 2019). "2020 BMW 840i Gran Coupe Is the
Prettier and Practical 8-Series". Retrieved 20 August 2020.
18. ^ Scherr, Elana (12 April 2021). "Tested: 2021 Audi RS7 vs. 2020
BMW M8 Gran Coupe vs. 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT63 S". Retrieved 9
November 2021.
19. ^ "2022 BMW 8 Series facelift revealed - Iconic Glow illuminated
kidney grille, 12.3-inch infotainment screen - paultan.org". 26
January 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.
