BMW 8 Series Coupe unveiled

BMW has unveiled the new 8 Series Coupe. The car is expected to replace the 6 Series in the company's model line-up. Initially, the car will come in M850i xDrive petrol and 840d xDrive diesel variants, while an M8 version is expected to be launched at a later date. Deliveries are expected to commence by the end of this year.

The car measures 4,851 mm in length, 1,902 mm in width and 1,346 mm in height with a wheelbase of 2,822 mm. It comes with a fuel tank measuring 68 litres and a boot space of 420 litres. The 8 Series is longer and wider, but shorter in height than the 6 Series.

At the front, the 8 Series gets an angular BMW kidney grille with a chrome strip surrounding the two halves and a pair of slim LED headlamps. The company claims that the lights offer illumination up to 600 m. The car has a sloping roof and rides on 20-inch rims shod in 245/30 and 275/30 section tyres at the front and rear respectively. The rear of the car gets a lip spoiler, wraparound LED tail lamps and a bumper with dual trapezoidal exhaust vents and air vents at both ends.

On the inside, the 8 Series gets a 3-spoke multifunction steering wheel, 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, digital instrument cluster and a head-up display. It sports a two-tone leather interior with a dark dashboard and brown seats and stainless-steel mesh trim strips. The gear selector and other buttons on the centre console are finished in glass.

The M850i is powered by a 4.4-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine that develops 523 BHP @ 5,500 rpm and 750 Nm of torque @ 1,800-4,600 rpm. The 840d draws power from a 3.0-litre, turbocharged inline 6-cylinder diesel engine that produces 315 BHP @ 4,400 rpm and 680 Nm @ 1,750-2,250 rpm. Both engines are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, which sends power to all the four wheels. The car gets Comfort, Eco Pro, Sport and Sport+ drive modes and comes equipped with features like adaptive cruise control, lane assist, lane departure warning and cross traffic alert. It also comes with panoramic view cameras and a reversing assistant that steers the vehicle when reversing over a distance of up to 80 metres on the same course as the last completed forward parking manoeuvre.