BMW Showcases 8-Series Concept At Concorso d’Eleganza 2017

The BMW 8-Series is one of the most iconic names in the sportscar business. So much so that even almost 20 years after the car went out of production, the mere mention of the name sends a pang of excitement and nostalgia up our spines. But we need not be hopeful and dreamy-eyed anymore for BMW has unveiled the new Concept 8-Series at this year’s Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este.

Yes, you read that correctly. The iconic 8-Series nameplate has made a comeback and the Concept acts as a precursor to what the car might actually look like. The concept picks up right where the old 8-Series left off. Although it might not be a direct successor, the 8-Series Concept is a spiritual one to the old coupe. Aesthetically, it does look like what an 8-Series would 20 years after the last one rolled off the factory. The front features the trademark wide kidney grille which now sit quite close to the ground, like they used to in BMW sportscars from a bygone era. Flanking the gaping grille are the slim narrow-eyed laser headlamps below which sit massive air intakes on either side echoing the car’s performance-oriented nature.

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The bonnet, in typical BMW sportscar style, is long and chiseled. Yet, the car sports a fluidity of design. The rake of the windshield flows smoothly into the roofline which in turn flows into the tail section before tapering off into the bootlid-integrated spoiler that completes the aerodynamic profile of the car. The whole car sits on 21-inch wheels, but when it goes into production, they are likely to be downsized to 20-inch ones.

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The rear section of the car features wraparound tail lamps that form an L-shape blade that protrudes well into the rear fender. They also emphasise the muscular stance of the car. The rear also comes with a carbon-fibre diffuser to better dispel air from under the body while keeping the weight in check. The trapezoidal exhaust tips further accentuate the car’s sporty nature.

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The interior too, according to BMW, has been designed so as to cause minimal distraction from the ‘dynamic driving experience’. The concept features seats with carbon-fibre shells draped in the finest Merino leather. All control surfaces are directed towards the driver and the instrument panel too has been designed for ‘low visual focus’. The steering wheel features brushed aluminium spokes along with red-anodized paddle shifters. The centre console is complete with the iDrive system which is operated by a controller now made of Swarovski glass with a smoky quartz look. There is also plenty of carbon-fibre around the cabin to give you that performance car-feel.

The 8-Series will be launched globally next year while the India launch shouldn’t take more than six months after that. The 8-Series will be BMW’s flagship coupe and will go up against its fellow German rival, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class coupe, which too will arrive here soon. As far as engines go, the details are still under wraps but judging by the sheer exuberance and the exclusivity of the car, the 8-series will most likely be powered by the company’s 6.0-litre V12 motor which recently featured in the M760Li xDrive. A turbocharged V8 similar to the M5 could also be in the offing and both engines, given their through-the-roof performance figures, could employ the xDrive system mated to a ZF 8-speed dual clutch transmission from the Bavarian carmaker’s sportscar lineup.

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