Thursday 21st December 2017

BMW 8 Series draws nearer

Camo black with tan leather and the big wheels? Nice spec!

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You've heard about the new BMW 8 Series, right? Not only has there been a believable concept, we've already seen the racing version of a car that's not yet in production. An M8 has been confirmed, too. If you don't know the BMW 8 Series, then get to know it.

Mmm, grand touring...

Here is our best look at it yet, and there's lot to be encouraged by. The 8 is clearly a big car, probably larger than any 6 Series and evidently a rival for cars like the S-Class Coupe and Bentley Continental GT rather than anything so ordinary as an Audi A7. To our eyes it's sleek as well, low and wide and well-proportioned but with familiar BMW styling cues throughout - you can't hide those kidney grilles entirely! The side view is particularly nice, with a narrow window line and tapering, swoopy rear deck. The design must be alright if it looks this good in camo!

Other details worth noting? Beyond the crimes against exhaust pipes at the back, there appears to be quite a few sensors around the front of the car - expect the 8 Series to usher in the next level of BMW's autonomous and safety tech, building on what's already established in the 5 and 7 Series.

As far as we know, the car is still due a reveal at some point next year, so not too many months to wait. Don't forget that the GTE car will be competing in the World Endurance Championship and American IMSA WeatherTech sportscars from January as well. Looks like 2018 is going to be a big year for BMW!

[Spyshots: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien]

 

[bimmerzimmer]

• drool* Clearly going to be another epic piece of ///M exotica.

Edited by bimmerzimmer on Thursday 21st December 11:42

[ogrodz]

Looks like all other BMWs - just bigger.

I think BMW need to employ a new design team - they are stuck in a rut IMHO

and while I'm at it - black wheels - what is it with black wheels? I really don't like them

[DaveH23]

Are the black wheels not just because it's a test mule and they want the detail to be not as obvious?

Surely big wheels on a car like this will ruin any form of comfort?

[dibblecorse]

Looks like a badly stretched Mustang, a travesty compared to the 8 Series of old ..... its just a nothing design ...

[GTEYE]

DaveH23 said:

Are the black wheels not just because it's a test mule and they want the detail to be not as obvious?

Surely big wheels on a car like this will ruin any form of comfort?

Problem is big cars need big wheels, otherwise they don't look right.

Good example is a low spec version of the current Ford Mondeo - on standard 16" (?) wheels they look ridiculous - almost like castors on a sofa

[loose cannon]

I think I’d still prefer the original 8 series in the looks department, new bmw’s Are just to bloated looking like a balding 25 year old on steroids with drain pipe tight ankle swinger trousers and dodgy looking swagger

[epom]

Crikey.... you'd have to park that in a loading bay.

[dave_s13]

Can't someone o here photo-shop those images and give it a proper paint job?

You're not busy working are you?

[gigglebug]

It doesn't look like the most accommodating roof line for back seat passengers does it? Maybe it's just the photo but I'm not sure I'd want such a big car if the rear seats were not particularly usable.

[pSyCoSiS]

Not quite an E31, and when you mention an 8 Series you automatically think of pop-up headlights!

Still looks like it has some presence and I will refrain from judgement until I see one in the flesh.

[loudlashadjuster]

ogrodz said:

Looks like all other BMWs - just bigger.

© BMW commentators 1976, 1981, 1985, 1988, 1991, 1994, 1998...

See also, Audi, Mercedes-Benz.

It's almost like these companies have a house style and a defined set of stylistic cues which evolve through generations of models?

Edited by loudlashadjuster on Thursday 21st December 12:25

[GTEYE]

loudlashadjuster said:

ogrodz said:

Looks like all other BMWs - just bigger.

© BMW commentators 1976, 1981, 1985, 1988, 1991, 1994, 1998...

See also, Audi, Mercedes-Benz.

It's almost like these companies have a house style and a defined set of stylistic cues which evolve through generations of models?

Edited by loudlashadjuster on Thursday 21st December 12:25

Have you just realised? Its been like that since at least the 1970s

[RDMcG]

Looks far too massive for its wheels.

[Ninja59]

DaveH23 said:

Are the black wheels not just because it's a test mule and they want the detail to be not as obvious?

Surely big wheels on a car like this will ruin any form of comfort?

Same problem exists for the 6 series....20 inch wheels do unsettle the ride somewhat. Hence why BMW now offers adaptive dampers and also adaptive drive (with the electrical ARB's to stiffen and soften the ride)

[Tim bo]

ogrodz said:

Looks like all other BMWs - just bigger.

I think you're wrong.

This doesn't look terribly close to any other BMW.

Considerably lower, longer and sleeker than any 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7.

To these eyes it will be the most desirable BMW yet, in V8 guise preferably.

Looks like they haven't stuck exactly to the concept, who does, but the concept did look great.

Edited by Tim bo on Thursday 21st December 12:52

[culpz]

Some top whinging right there.

ogrodz said:

Looks like all other BMWs - just bigger.

Generally speaking, the bigger the number, the larger the car. Top tip for ya!

ogrodz said:

I think BMW need to employ a new design team - they are stuck in a rut IMHO

That's an interesting comment to make, considering that most of the car is hidden in camouflage.

ogrodz said:

and while I'm at it - black wheels - what is it with black wheels? I really don't like them

I'm sure they also come in silver, so i wouldn't worry.

[CRA1G]

That does look disappointing... and I've got a early option on one... more like a bigger 6 to me... the E31 was the flagship of the BMW range and had huge presence in its day and still does imo.. I have a i8,640 and a 840 which I've owned for years and even now I think the 840 has more presence and still feels special,I thought BMW would have pulled something a liitle more special out of the bag more in keeping with the E31 in a retro styling fashion..!

[Tim bo]

The original 8 was a classic indeed.

[ogrodz]

culpz said:

Some top whinging right there.

ogrodz said:

Looks like all other BMWs - just bigger.

Generally speaking, the bigger the number, the larger the car. Top tip for ya!

ogrodz said:

I think BMW need to employ a new design team - they are stuck in a rut IMHO

That's an interesting comment to make, considering that most of the car is hidden in camouflage.

ogrodz said:

and while I'm at it - black wheels - what is it with black wheels? I really don't like them

I'm sure they also come in silver, so i wouldn't worry.

I am indeed guilty of whinging - but its only because I am a fan of BMW over the ages and I can't stand the current designs. I am longing for something beautiful again. I have owned E30's in all guises - 3 door, 5 door, estate, convertible, and this is my previous 635CSI - the Shark, wonderful!




Give me something like this - PLEASE....

[culpz]

ogrodz said:

I am indeed guilty of whinging - but its only because I am a fan of BMW over the ages and I can't stand the current designs. I am longing for something beautiful again. I have owned E30's in all guises - 3 door, 5 door, estate, convertible, and this is my previous 635CSI - the Shark, wonderful!




Give me something like this - PLEASE....

For me, it's BMW's interiors that need a complete refresh, as apposed to the exterior styling.

There's no getting away from the sheer size of modem cars, unfortunately, but getting their weight down could help.