Wednesday 31st October 2018

BMW 8 Series Convertible leaks

BMW's new top-spec two-door is quite the looker. And now comes the drop-top...

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The BMW 8 Series Convertible has become the latest victim of the internet's sieve-like security as images of it have spilled out ahead of its official unveiling. The pictures - the manufacturer's own - show the plush and potent M850i xDrive version, which uses the same twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 you'd find in the coupe, offering 530hp and 553lb ft of torque.

For now its performance figures remain unknown - although we can expect the M850i convertible to sprint from 0-62mph in around four seconds, which would leave it three tenths behind the coupe. Naturally we're accounting for the weight gain implicit in adding the cabriolet's folding soft-top mechanism, as well as the structural strengthening required in its platform.

Beneath the M850i in the 8 Series coupe engine line-up is a 3.0-litre straight-six diesel; we'd imagine this motor will be offered with the convertible as well, although it's not inconceivable that BMW might opt to keep its open-top version petrol only as sales for oil burners in this segment are considerably lower than those beneath.

Either way, as in the coupe line-up, the M850i convertible will only remain the most potent soft-top version of BMW's luxury two-door until an M8 convertible is launched. That car will use the same basic 4.4-litre motor but with a sizeable increase in output, likely providing something close to 600hp, making the model a rival to the Bentley Continental GT Speed convertible.

Also set for inclusion in the 8 Series line-up will be a mild-hybrid version, a powertain almost certain to be featured in both the coupe and convertible bodyshapes to lower average emissions and maximise sales in the most tightly regulated automotive regions of the world. Additionally, a third bodyshape, a four-door Gran Coupe, is also due to be added to the ranks to appeal to markets where rear passenger space is priority (ahem, China).

More details will be available when BMW officially reveals its new drop-top later this week. We'll update you then.

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[housen]

k

[rare6499]

Coupe left me a bit cold but this works superbly!

[B17NNS]

The winged horse of chav tat makes another appearance on the centre console.

[Nickp82]

ISWYDT (re the article title)

[Jarcy]

Thought this was about the roof leaking, LOL

[Triumph Man]

Every time I see the new 8 series I like it more, I just cannot stand those dials!

[berlintaxi]

Those wheels are doing the looks no favours.

[Noodle1982]

uninspiring.

[Pintofbest]

I think that looks great.

[Type R Tom]

Wind deflector looks like the same as the one in my E46, would have thought they would have found a better way by now.

[chazwozza]

Side on looks just like an s-class coupe?

[Cold]

Nickp82 said:

ISWYDT (re the article title)

A bit of silicon spray or perhaps some packing foam behind the rubber seals.

[Peanus]

Article said:

BMW's new top-spec two-door is quite the looker

Is it though

[TommyBuoy]

Type R Tom said:

Wind deflector looks like the same as the one in my E46, would have thought they would have found a better way by now.

Very similar to my old E36. Seems mercedes wind deflector that pops out at the top of the windscreen should be able to be expanded on around the windscreen and something active at the back to stop the back draft would be doable instead of a deflector that blocks the two rear seats!

But I'm not an aerodynamicist!

[PrancingHorses]

The new 8 series is just a re-skinned 6 series. They made the gran coupe the 6 series....strange by BMW...

[sh33n]

Looks pretty decent in the pics, but I'd prefer the coupe.

I sat in a M6 convertible in a showroom and it felt like a massive boat, didn't drive it so maybe it feels different on the road, but this can surely only be a bigger boat!

[sidesauce]

Nanook said:

I've had a couple of soft tops, and I love them, but if I was spending this amount of money on a car, I think I'd want a folding hard top. I know they're heavier, bulkier etc.

But they're also quieter, look better imo, and are generally a bit nicer to sit inside.

Apart from the SL (which is rumoured to be going back to a soft top in the next generation anyway), what car in this class/at this price point has a hard roof?

In terms of refinement the soft-tops have come a very long way; drive a Rolls-Royce Dawn and tell me the soft roof makes for noisy progress!

[Veeayt]

This looks so out of proportions and thus unnecessary

[rog007]

TommyBuoy said:

Type R Tom said:

Wind deflector looks like the same as the one in my E46, would have thought they would have found a better way by now.

Very similar to my old E36. Seems mercedes wind deflector that pops out at the top of the windscreen should be able to be expanded on around the windscreen and something active at the back to stop the back draft would be doable instead of a deflector that blocks the two rear seats!

But I'm not an aerodynamicist!

And neither is the chap that designed my C Class. The fly catcher that rises above the windscreen and the tennis racket head that pops up behind the rear seats achieves nowt at all. In fact, passengers tell me it makes things worse!

[pycraft]

Nanook said:

The SL is what I had in mind, but I suppose you're right.

Just struck me as a bit odd that the 3-series gets a hardtop, and the 8 series does not.

I remember reading that at this price point, if people buy a convertible, they want everyone else to know it's a convertible - even if the hood's up. Folding tin just makes it look too much like a less glamorous coupe. The SL has never suffered from this since it's clearly a two-seater either way.