BMW 8 Series

The BMW 8 Series is a range of grand tourer coupes and convertibles produced by BMW.

BMW 8 Series
Overview
Production
  • 1990–1999
  • 2018–present
Body and chassis
ClassGrand tourer (S)
Body style
Layout

The 8 Series was introduced in 1990 under the E31 model code and was only available as a two-door coupé.[1] It is powered by a range of naturally aspirated V8 and V12 petrol engines.[2] The E31 started production just as E24 6 Series production ended, however it is not considered a direct successor.[3] The E31 was discontinued in 1999 due to poor sales.[4]

The model range was later reintroduced in 2018 with the second generation, G15 8 Series.[5] It launched in coupé (G15), convertible (G14), and four-door Gran Coupé (G16) body styles, as the successor to the F06/F12/F13 6 Series lineup.[6] The G15 8 Series introduces an inline-six diesel engine,[7][8] and a high-performance BMW M8 trim later joined the lineup.[9]

First generation (E31; 1990–1999)
Main article: BMW 8 Series (E31)
BMW 840Ci

Design work of the first generation E31 8 Series began in 1984, with final design phase and production development starting in 1986. The car debuted at the 1989 Frankfurt Motor Show, and was produced until 1999.[10] The 8 Series was designed to move beyond the market of the original E24 6 Series, featuring greater performance and an increased price. The 8 Series was the first road car to offer a V12 engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission and was one of the first vehicles to be fitted with electronic drive-by-wire throttle.[11] The 8 Series was also among one of BMW's first cars to use a multi-link rear axle.[12]

Second generation (G14/G15/G16; 2018–present)
Main article: BMW 8 Series (G15)
BMW 840d

The BMW 8 Series (G14) was announced on June 15, 2018 with sales commencing from November 2018.[13] It was initially available as a coupé (codenamed G15), with the convertible (G14) and four-door Gran Coupé (G16) variants introduced later, succeeding the F06/F12/F13 6 Series lineup.[14] Production commenced in late 2018 at the BMW assembly plant in Dingolfing, Germany.[15]

Direct competitors to the BMW 8 Series coupé and convertible are the Mercedes-Benz S-Class coupé & cabriolet. The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé which has improved rear passenger space dimensions compared to the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé (F06),[16] is seen as a flashier sportier alternative to its platform-mate, the more traditional BMW 7 Series sedan, and is expected to compete with the rumored next-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class four-door coupé.[17][18][19][20]

References
  1. "TEST DRIVE: The Iconic E31 BMW 8 Series". BMW BLOG. 2018-07-26. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  2. "1989 - 1999 BMW 8-series @ Top Speed". Top Speed. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  3. George, Patrick. "The 8-Series Was One Of BMW's Best Failed Experiments". Jalopnik. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  4. "8 Series: The Most Underrated BMW Ever". Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  5. Trop, Jaclyn. "BMW 8 Series Coupe Returns After A 19-Year Hiatus". Forbes. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  6. "BMW M8 Gran Coupe Reviews | BMW M8 Gran Coupe Price, Photos, and Specs | Car and Driver". Car and Driver. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  8. "New BMW 8-series Gran Coupe spied testing". CAR Magazine. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  9. "The new BMW M8 will come in three shapes". Top Gear. 2018-04-25. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  10. "Ten reasons why BMW's old 8 Series is cool". Top Gear. 2018-01-25. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  11. "Remembering The 1990 - 1999 BMW 8 Series: Almost Paradise". Motor1.com. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  12. "How To OEM+ Restore A BMW 850Ci - Speedhunters". Speedhunters. 2017-09-19. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  13. "This is the brand new BMW 8 Series Coupe". Top Gear. 2018-06-15. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  14. "BMW 8 Series Convertible, Gran Coupe Officially Confirmed For 2019". Motor1.com. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  15. Panait, Mircea (2018-07-06). "2019 BMW 8 Series Coupe Enters Production at Dingolfing Plant". autoevolution. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  17. Kacher, Georg (2016-10-12). "7 vs. 8: BMW Insiders Clash Over Flagship Future". Retrieved 2020-08-20.
  18. Duff, Mike (2019-10-02). "2020 BMW 840i Gran Coupe Is the Prettier and Practical 8-Series". Retrieved 2020-08-20.
  19. Smith, Christopher (2019-02-26). "Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe And Cabrio Won't Be Renewed". Retrieved 2020-08-20.
  20. Bigg, Martin (2019-01-19). "Big Changes Are Coming For The All-New Mercedes S-Class". Retrieved 2020-08-20.
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