Automotive

BMW previews all-new 8-Series Coupe with Concorso concept

BMW previews all-new 8-Series Coupe with Concorso concept
The Concept 8 Series' lines and curves sweep forward toward the aggressive face
The Concept 8 Series' lines and curves sweep forward toward the aggressive face
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BMW's Concept 8 Series is sharp, curvy and aggressive
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BMW's Concept 8 Series is sharp, curvy and aggressive
BMW will hold the public premiere of the Concept 8 Series at this weekend's Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
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BMW will hold the public premiere of the Concept 8 Series at this weekend's Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
BMW hasn't released powertrain details, but we definitely expect the production 8 Series Coupe to be powerful and quick
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BMW hasn't released powertrain details, but we definitely expect the production 8 Series Coupe to be powerful and quick
BMW has scooped out its flanks, giving the look of air-blown channels
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BMW has scooped out its flanks, giving the look of air-blown channels 
The slim taillights wrap around the edges
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The slim taillights wrap around the edges 
The strong rear haunches give the RWD Concept 8 a solid base for slingshotting forward
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The strong rear haunches give the RWD Concept 8 a solid base for slingshotting forward
The Concept 8 Series' lines and curves sweep forward toward the aggressive face
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The Concept 8 Series' lines and curves sweep forward toward the aggressive face
The profile feels just a little long at the rear, especially considering the slow-sloping roofline – we'd like to see that overhang shortened a tad
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The profile feels just a little long at the rear, especially considering the slow-sloping roofline – we'd like to see that overhang shortened a tad
BMW gives the Concept 8 sharply carved vents all over
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BMW gives the Concept 8 sharply carved vents all over
BMW Concept 8 Series
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BMW Concept 8 Series
BMW Concept 8 Series
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BMW Concept 8 Series
BMW Concept 8 Series
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BMW Concept 8 Series
BMW Concept 8 Series
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BMW Concept 8 Series
BMW Concept 8 Series
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BMW Concept 8 Series
BMW opens the door of the Concept 8
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BMW opens the door of the Concept 8 
Interior lines and surfaces surge subtly forward like the exterior
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Interior lines and surfaces surge subtly forward like the exterior
Materials like contrast leather, carbon fiber and hand-polished aluminum combine to give the Concept 8 interior a premium look and feel
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Materials like contrast leather, carbon fiber and hand-polished aluminum combine to give the Concept 8 interior a premium look and feel
BMW opens the door of the Concept 8 Series
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BMW opens the door of the Concept 8 Series
Inside the BMW Concept 8 Series
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Inside the BMW Concept 8 Series
The sport seats are dressed in Fjord White leather
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The sport seats are dressed in Fjord White leather
Inside the BMW Concept 8 Series
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Inside the BMW Concept 8 Series
BMW offers several menu options for the digital instrument panel
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BMW offers several menu options for the digital instrument panel
The digital graphics follow the physical parts of the car in sweeping forward
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The digital graphics follow the physical parts of the car in sweeping forward
BMW offers several menu options for the digital instrument panel
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BMW offers several menu options for the digital instrument panel
BMW offers several menu options for the digital instrument panel
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BMW offers several menu options for the digital instrument panel
BMW offers several menu options for the digital instrument panel
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BMW offers several menu options for the digital instrument panel
BMW offers several menu options for the digital instrument panel
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BMW offers several menu options for the digital instrument panel
BMW reveals the Concept 8 Series
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BMW reveals the Concept 8 Series
BMW says the production 8 Series Coupe will launch next year
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BMW says the production 8 Series Coupe will launch next year
BMW reveals the Concept 8 Series
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BMW reveals the Concept 8 Series
We expect BMW will tone things down a bit, but the company does say the production car will take a similar form
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We expect BMW will tone things down a bit, but the company does say the production car will take a similar form  
The BMW 8 Series Coupe will be a part of the aggressive model offensive called for in BMW's Number One > Next strategy
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The BMW 8 Series Coupe will be a part of the aggressive model offensive called for in BMW's Number One > Next strategy
BMW's Number One > Next strategy is all about increasing sales and revenue
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BMW's Number One > Next strategy is all about increasing sales and revenue
"A slice of pure automotive fascination" - Adrian van Hooydonk, senior vice president, BMW Group Design.
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"A slice of pure automotive fascination" - Adrian van Hooydonk, senior vice president, BMW Group Design. 
Inside the BMW Concept 8 Series
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Inside the BMW Concept 8 Series
Inside the BMW Concept 8 Series
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Inside the BMW Concept 8 Series
Inside the BMW Concept 8 Series
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Inside the BMW Concept 8 Series
Inside the BMW Concept 8 Series
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Inside the BMW Concept 8 Series
Inside the BMW Concept 8 Series
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Inside the BMW Concept 8 Series
BMW Concept 8 Series
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BMW Concept 8 Series
BMW Concept 8 Series
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BMW Concept 8 Series
BMW Concept 8 Series
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BMW Concept 8 Series
BMW Concept 8 Series sketch
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BMW Concept 8 Series sketch
BMW Concept 8 Series sketch
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BMW Concept 8 Series sketch
BMW Concept 8 Series sketch
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BMW Concept 8 Series sketch
BMW Concept 8 Series sketch
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BMW Concept 8 Series sketch
BMW Concept 8 Series sketch
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BMW Concept 8 Series sketch
BMW Concept 8 Series sketch
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BMW Concept 8 Series sketch
BMW Concept 8 Series sketch
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BMW Concept 8 Series sketch
BMW Concept 8 Series sketch
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BMW Concept 8 Series sketch
BMW Concept 8 Series sketch
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BMW Concept 8 Series sketch
BMW Concept 8 Series sketch
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BMW Concept 8 Series sketch
BMW Concept 8 Series sketch
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BMW Concept 8 Series sketch
View gallery - 53 images

Not seen since 1999, BMW is bringing the 8 Series back. The automaker has taken the wraps off the ferocious Concept 8 Series, giving the world a preview of what the production 8 Series Coupe will look like when it launches next year. The new design study shows that BMW isn't messing around and will give the world a sharp, aggressive 8 that takes no prisoners.

BMW is currently getting the troops in order and laying out logistics for the "biggest model offensive" in its history. With the 8 Series Coupe, BMW will fire a ground-shaking shot that'll be heard (or at least seen) 'round the world.

"The number 8 has always represented the pinnacle of sports performance and exclusivity at BMW," says BMW AG chairman Harald Krüger. "The forthcoming BMW 8 Series Coupe will demonstrate that razor-sharp dynamics and modern luxury can go hand-in-hand. This will be the next model in the expansion of our luxury-car offering and will raise the benchmark for coupes in the segment."

Being a design study, the Concept 8 Series doesn't preview the razor-sharp dynamics that will make the production 8 Series Coupe a "full-blooded high-end driving machine," as BMW senior design VP Adrian van Hooydonk describes it. But the concept does give a very clear picture of the sharp styling that will surround those dynamics.

BMW's Concept 8 Series is sharp, curvy and aggressive
BMW's Concept 8 Series is sharp, curvy and aggressive

Set on muscular rear haunches, the rear-wheel-drive Concept 8's proportions spring forward, the roof line climbing steadily upward to meet a forward-set peak, and the belt line leaping forth from the rear fenders to support the glasshouse before dropping off into the front-end. The windshield slopes from the roof, and the Concept 8's long, curvy hood lines continue the forward rush, converging around the grille and headlamps.

It's no wonder BMW is drawing the eyes forward – designers have clearly spent some time sculpting an effortlessly aggressive face. Sharp laser headlights slice inward from the front fenders, flanking a broad, three-dimensional interpretation of BMW's kidney grille. The large, sharply cut air intakes to the sides add to the aggressive, no-nonsense demeanor, as does the carbon fiber connecting those intakes.

Between the front and rear fenders, and the multi-spoke 21-in light alloy wheels below, BMW has spent some time shaping the sides, creating prominent recesses designed to look like the work of air rushing out of the front breathers before deflecting off the bulging rear muscles. Up above, the sloped roof line levels out at the rear before taking a quick, upward flip at the trailing edge.

BMW gives the Concept 8 sharply carved vents all over
BMW gives the Concept 8 sharply carved vents all over

The rear-end features sharply edged, cavernous vents set out at the sides, in a sort of mirror of the front intake design. The taillights are every bit as thin and sharp as the headlights, wrapping around the edges to further highlight the bulging fenders and help BMW in its mission of emphasizing width. Distinctive trapezoidal exhaust tips at the inside edges of the vents are visually connected by a carbon fiber diffuser.

In opening the doors for a quick tour, BMW reveals the Concept 8's cockpit is much like the exterior, with lines and curves that subtly converge toward the front to emphasize the car's sporty, rear-powered quickness and dynamism – even the graphics in the digital instrument cluster angle forward.

Interior lines and surfaces surge subtly forward like the exterior
Interior lines and surfaces surge subtly forward like the exterior

The instrument panel hood is bordered by the thick sidewall of the center console, providing heavy structure around the driver controls and displays. BMW hasn't done anything too fanciful with these controls and displays, the digital instruments complemented by a center console with the usual infotainment screen up top and shift knob and iDrive controller at the base. Plenty of carbon fiber trim sits between and around those console elements.

The front two seats in the 2+2 layout feature carbon fiber shells and creamy Fjord White leather upholstery. Red-anodized paddle shifters stand behind the hand-polished aluminum spoked steering wheel that includes what look to be touch controls where the spokes converge with the rim. Dark brown leather, aluminum and carbon fiber trim enhance the premium look and feel all around.

BMW will officially unveil the Concept 8 Series at this year's Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, which begins on Friday. After that, we'll await the debut of the production 8 Series Coupe, which BMW says will share a similar form.

Source: BMW

View gallery - 53 images
3 comments
3 comments
guzmanchinky
VERY good looking car. But does anyone care? Is there an electric version that can drive itself and beat most supercars? When BMW (or Benz or Porsche) come out with a genuine Tesla beater, then I will take serious notice...
Michael Wilson
Interesting take on the old concept. I like it, but from the side profile, I just keep thinking "mustang". I like the side, but not the rear.
MK23666
When a Mustang loves a BMW