New BMW 8 Series – South African specifications

BMW has put its popular 8 Series Coupe, Convertible, and Gran Coupe through a Life Cycle Impulse (LCI) update.

This inter-generational update sees a refreshed exterior design, an even more luxurious cabin, and a wide range of additional standard equipment.

What’s new

All versions of the new BMW 8 Series feature a redesigned front section and the M Sports equipment package as standard.

The large lower air intakes on the front of the car now see horizontal struts, the rear diffuser gets a Dark Shadow Metallic insert, the kidney grille features redesigned bars in a “U-profile”, and the aerodynamic components on both the front and rear are matched with the body colour.

Furthermore, LED headlights with adaptive cornering lights and high-beam assist are now standard across the range, as well as 19-inch M light alloy wheels, M Sports brakes with blue callipers, and the Iconic Glow backlighting system for the grille.

All M850i xDrive specifications in South Africa are further treated to aerodynamically optimised wing mirrors, a new front spoiler, the Shadowline design package, black brake callipers, dark headlight inserts, and a black rear spoiler.

In addition, the M850i models bring a “particularly powerful” M Sport brake system, M Sports differential, 20-inch M light alloy wheels.

To mark the 50th anniversary of the M department, all M Performance and High-Performance versions of the new 8 Series are also fitted with a classic BMW Motorsport logo on the bonnet.

A choice of four new exterior paints are on offer – Skyscraper Grey metallic, San Remo Green metallic, M Portimao Blue metallic, and BMW Individual Frozen Tanzanite Blue metallic – while new 20-inch wheels and a carbon fibre reinforced plastic roof are available, too.

The revised interior of the new 8 Series achieves a balanced blend between driver-oriented dynamics and exclusive elegance, said BMW, thanks to the use of forward-facing lines, ambient lighting, and Merino leather upholstery that is now standard on every model.

An updated M leather steering wheel with shifter paddles is also fitted to each 8 Series.

The Coupes and Convertibles then come with two distinct rear seats, while the four-door Gran Coupe features a fully-fledged second row of seats and four-zone climate control to further accommodate rear passengers.

Thanks to the standard M Sport package, you will also find stainless steel pedals, M-specific floor mats, illuminated door sill trims, and in the range-topping models, black seat belts with M accent stripes.

To enhance comfort, the entire line-up now sports electrically-adjustable front seats, a heads-up display, a wireless charger, a Harmon Kardon sound system, the BMW display key, comfort access, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 12.3-inch central display with wireless smartphone mirroring – upgraded from 10.25 inches.

Driver assistance systems were equally well revised, with the range seeing active cruise control with stop & go, front collision alert, lane change and departure warnings, steering and lane assist with active side collision protection, front collision warning, lane change and evasion assist, traffic sign recognition, surround-view cameras, parking sensors, reverse assistant, remote 3D view, and a drive recorder.

Power

The model line-up of the revised 8 Series includes two engine options, both equipped with an eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission.

In the entry-level 840i, a 3.0-litre, six-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine produces 245kW and 500Nm, and sends drive to the rear wheels.

The M850i xDrive gets a 4.4-litre, V8, turbo-petrol motor generating 390kW and 700Nm, which is directed to all four wheels.

The respective performance figures of the 8 Series line-up coming to South Africa is as follows:

BMW M850i xDrive Coupe – 0-100km/h = 3.9 seconds, top speed = 250km/h, combined fuel consumption = 10.7l/100km
BMW M850i xDrive Convertible – 4.1 seconds, 250km/h, 10.7l/100km
BMW 840i Gran Coupe – 5.4 seconds, 250km/h, 8.1l/100km
BMW M850i xDrive Gran Coupe – 3.9 seconds, 250km/h, 10.7l/100km