And it’ll set you back at least $273k.
German marque BMW has graced our shores with the introduction of the all-new (and reborn) BMW 8-Series, which arrives locally as an M850i xDrive in both coupé and cabriolet guises. With a V8 under the bonnet, all-wheel drive to keep it all sane and an interior so plush it’ll make you rethink a Bentley, the new 8-Series is the consummate grand-tourer, and it sure looks it.
“The legendary BMW 8-Series has made its return, and Australian will have access to two model variants this time. The classic coupe body caters to customers seeking that classic sporting feel, and the convertible provides an option for those who enjoy a premium open-air grand-touring experience. These vehicles are a fantastic demonstration of modern-day luxury without compromising performance & handling.” – Vikram Pawah, Chief Executive Officer, BMW Group Australia
The headlining feature of the local 8er range is the engine. Coming in M850i guise means that power comes from a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, producing a whopping 390kW and 750Nm, with the former number coming between 5,500rpm–6,000rpm, while the latter number kicks in at 1,800rpm and stays with you all the way up to 4,600rpm.
All of that gets delivered to the xDrive all-wheel drive system, which then can translate that mechanical fury into a 0-100km/h time of just 3.7-seconds, accompanied by a soundtrack from the Sport Exhaust system that will certainly get your neighbour’s curtains twitching (but don’t worry, there’s a flap in there to make it all quiet if you don’t want to wake up the missus).
There’s an 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmissions too, with its wide-ratio gear-set able to accommodate spirited driving and long-haul cruising. There are also standard-fit paddles behind the steering wheel to keep it all in check.
Standard equipment is pretty good on the M850i, given that it’s the flagship model (until the full-fat M8 arrives in due course). As such you get things like the BMW Live Cockpit Professional infotainment setup, which pairs a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 10.25-inch Control Display mounted in the middle. That centre screen features things like traffic-inclusive navigation, dual-USB ports (as both Type-A and Type-C), and even a 20GB hard-drive for your tunes. There’s also a head-up display that’s said to be some 16% larger than before.
Powering those screens is BMW OS7.0, the very latest infotainment system by BMW. OS7.0 throws in features like display customisation, Gesture Control (coupé only), and an intelligent voice-triggered assistant replete with natural voice recognition.
You also get things like the latest ConnectedDrive system which offers Wireless Apple CarPlay, real-time traffic information, remote- and concierge-services, and Digital Key, the latter of which replaces the traditional car key which, oddly, is only usable on Android devices (but they don’t even offer Android Auto, which is bizarre).
As expected in any BMW, everything is swathed in leather and the materials used are top-notch. The option to have certain switches and knobs, including the gearlever, capped in glass makes the whole thing feel really rather special. You get a 16-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system as standard as well as the HeatComfort Package (front heated door & console armrests, steering wheel), heated seats, M seat belts, and soft-closing doors.
Exterior appointments include things like 20-inch M-Light alloy wheels in grey and M Sport brakes, as well as a spoiler and carbon-fibre roof for the Coupé, while the Cabriolet (obviously) gets a black soft top. The Cabriolet is also the only one with an Air Collar neck-warmer system, though things like the BMW Laserlights are on both bodystyles.
Talking about the two bodystyles, an important note is one of practicality. For maximum load-lugging you have to opt for the 8-Series Coupé, as that offers 420L of space behind the rear seats, though those seats can be folded forwards if necessary. The Cabriolet on the other hand manages just 350L, but it’s worth noting that this is the number you get with the top up. You have to fold down a small panel in the boot that eats into luggage space in order to lower the roof but, even with it down, you still have pretty OK space in there. But like the Coupé, the Cabriolet lets you put the rear seats down too, if needed.
All cars pack some pretty smart stuff under the skin, like an M Sport Differential to maximise traction, tyre-pressure monitoring, and BMW’s Driving Assistant Plus suite of ADAS features. Integral Active Steering, active anti-roll bars, and Adaptive M Suspension Professional also gets lobbed on as standard equipment. You also get Parking Assistant Plus which throws in a back-up & 360º camera system, as well as Reverse Assistant automated parking, all of which work with you to avoid curbing your wheels.
You can choose to spend more than the eye-watering asking price on options if you’d like, thanks to the BMW Individual personalisation program. But some of the options that have caught our eye are things like the (gorgeous) Brilliant White paint finish (a $2k option), as well as the Pure Metal Silver option (which looks like molten metal, for an additional $10,400). You can option on things like a Full Leather Merino interior for $6700, or you could get a two-tone layout for $8900. The list goes on.
Servicing & maintenance on the new BMW 8-Series are controlled by BMW’s ‘Condition Based Servicing’ system, which will determine if and when you need to visit a BMW garage for an inspection or service. You can cover selected service & maintenance costs via a one-time payment with BMW Service Inclusive, though this is something you should discuss with your dealer.
Either way, the BMW 8-Series is (to them) the superlative way to travel in comfort and style, with equal doses of performance and dynamics thrown in to ensure you don’t fall asleep. It’s a monumental machine to behold and frankly, cars like the Bentley Continental GT, Porsche 911 and Aston Martin DB11 will soon find their feathers ruffled by the heavyweight champion that’s back from the dead.
The BMW M850i Coupé and Cabriolet are on sale today from $272,900 and $281,900 respectively (before ORCs).
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