New 8 series concept

[Dick Dastardly]

I was a big fan of the original, back in the 90s. On the very rare occasion you now see one, they are good looking classics already. Glad to see this new version holds its weight: http://jalopnik.com/this-is-the-new-bmw-8-series-c...

An M version of that might be enough to tempt me back to the brand after a 5 year absence.

[XMT]

I quite like it too. If anything I am more interested to see how the convertible and gran coupe will look.

I think BMW are really losing it when it comes to creating a certain halo around its models.
I have seen on autoexpress that they have registered (apparently) model des such as 825 830 835 and it is going to use the CLAR system which can apparently accomodate a 2 litre lump or a 6 litre.

Point being as soon as you start dropping lower displacements in a flagship model its no longer a flagship model.

[E65Ross]

XMT said:

I quite like it too. If anything I am more interested to see how the convertible and gran coupe will look.

I think BMW are really losing it when it comes to creating a certain halo around its models.
I have seen on autoexpress that they have registered (apparently) model des such as 825 830 835 and it is going to use the CLAR system which can apparently accomodate a 2 litre lump or a 6 litre.

Point being as soon as you start dropping lower displacements in a flagship model its no longer a flagship model.

Exactly. Mercedes have nothing "less" than a V8 in their S-class coupe, the CL has never had anything other than V8 or V12 petrol engines, and the SL has never had anything other than 6 cylinders or more, and only petrol too.

[iSore]

XMT said:

I think BMW are really losing it when it comes to creating a certain halo around its models.

It's already lost. The E90, sorry F30, is like a Sierra for the 2010's and about as special and prestigious. They turn out too much bland porridge now and Mercedes have streaked ahead.

But this looks bloody lovely - but they'll sell about 7 and it's not enough to arrest BMW's increasing slide into mass production blandness I fear.

[FlabbyMidgets]

Is this going to be replacing the 6 series? I didn't particularly see a gap in the market for another gt car, or is that just me?

[E65Ross]

FlabbyMidgets said:

Is this going to be replacing the 6 series? I didn't particularly see a gap in the market for another gt car, or is that just me?

If you know what the last 8 series was about, and if this is to be the same, you'll find that this is the next league above the 6 series. Think of it akin to Mercedes with their S class coupe, which sits above the SL. Also, the past 8 series was based upon the 7 series, whereas the 6 series has always been based around the 5 series. Price-wise, the last 8 series was more expensive than a 7 series....whereas the 6 series sits between the 5 and 7.

[Ninja59]

E65Ross said:

If you know what the last 8 series was about, and if this is to be the same, you'll find that this is the next league above the 6 series. Think of it akin to Mercedes with their S class coupe, which sits above the SL. Also, the past 8 series was based upon the 7 series, whereas the 6 series has always been based around the 5 series. Price-wise, the last 8 series was more expensive than a 7 series....whereas the 6 series sits between the 5 and 7.

The F01 7 series shared a lot with the 5GT which was probably the closest to the 7 without being a 7.

Although go under the current F06 (6GC), F12 & F13 you will find a lot of F01 markings....equally prevalent are F10 (5 series markings).

The new 8 series is an indirect replacement for the current 6 series style, there from what I have seen no plans to directly replace the current 6 series style (GT).

Additionally, a poster mentioned the Gran Coupe from the designations and information available there seems no current plan to replace (indirectly in the 8 series or directly in the 6 series), additionally ironically there appears no plans to replace the 4 series Gran Coupe either for BMW. I think unfortunately, more so for the 4 series it has cannibalised the 3 series sales and for the 6 it was/is a slow seller needing significant discount to be competitive against the CLS, A7 and Panamera. Used price 6 series on the face in comparison with list price do constantly from so many "look good" when the reality sadly is most original purchasers have gained anything between 20-25% discount off list and sometimes with 0%....additionally not aiding things was the gulf in price between the other cars mentioned v 6 series. If you read carefully though base spec 6 series tended to have more standard spec and a slightly better engine (I wanted diesel).

The only "replacement" 6 series will be the 5GT which is going to be the 6GT.

[iSore]

Haven't S Class Coupe sales virtually died in the face of the Bentley Continental GT? That's what BMW are up against and in the prestige* stakes, the blue and white badge doesn't cut it anymore.

• whatever that is these days.