Tuesday 20th September 2016

BMW 8 Series spy shots

6 Series out and 8 Series in as BMW's big coupe moves upmarket

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To quite a few BMW fans, the 8 Series remains something of a highpoint. The styling was fantastic, the refinement was exemplary and, particularly in 850 CSi guise, it was pretty good to drive too. It would take a brave person to take on a used one now, but the old E31 retains considerable appeal.

Camo can't hide it being a big old thing!

In the same way that sportier 6 made way for more luxurious 8 in the 1990s, so the same will happen a quarter of a century later. It goes to show in fact just how upmarket the 8 Series will move than the outgoing 6 Series - hardly a lithe sports car - will be made to look the less opulent model.

From what we can see here and what is known so far the 8 Series will rival the Mercedes S-Class Coupe and Bentley Continental GT, rather than cars like the Maserati GranTurismo and Mercedes CLS that the 6 Series competes against. So expect more luxury, with the car moving up to the realm of a 7 Series sized coupe rather than 5.

Interesting details to note from this car include a grille and exhausts that look production ready, plus a big bonnet and some chunky overhangs too. One to be pitched at the American market? It's been suggested that this car will borrow from the Pininfarina Vision Gran Lusso concept, which looks a very good base from which to build a range topping coupe. Three years old now, that concept is surely due some proper production influence.

As the camo implies though, this car is a fair way from the showroom. Our sources have suggested 2019, so there's still time to get a 6 Series or M6 should you desperately want one. More news when we have it!

[Photos: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien]

[PHMatt]

I like the 6, but always been hopelessly in love with the old 8.
Story states it's a risk to buy one, but I reckon the E31 will appreciate over time.

They've already gone up over the last few years.