Automotive

BMW gets production of the fierce 8 Series Convertible up and running

BMW gets production of the fierce 8 Series Convertible up and running
Production starts on the BMW 8 Series Convertible
Production starts on the BMW 8 Series Convertible
View 45 Images
Breakdown of some 8 Series Convertible interior tech and control equipment and options
1/45
Breakdown of some 8 Series Convertible interior tech and control equipment and options
BMW 8 Series Convertible exterior styling cues and equipment
2/45
BMW 8 Series Convertible exterior styling cues and equipment
BMW 8 Series Convertible exterior styling cues and equipment
3/45
BMW 8 Series Convertible exterior styling cues and equipment
The 8 Series Convertible will swoop to market just a few months after the coupe
4/45
The 8 Series Convertible will swoop to market just a few months after the coupe
The convertible shares its facial features with the 8 Series Coupe
5/45
The convertible shares its facial features with the 8 Series Coupe
BMW offers a standard black soft-top with an available anthracite silver soft-top
6/45
BMW offers a standard black soft-top with an available anthracite silver soft-top
The soft-top opens up and conceals away in 15 seconds
7/45
The soft-top opens up and conceals away in 15 seconds
The 8 Series Convertible can run 0 to 62 mph in as little as 3.9 seconds
8/45
The 8 Series Convertible can run 0 to 62 mph in as little as 3.9 seconds 
Power comes from twin-turbo gas and diesel engine options
9/45
Power comes from twin-turbo gas and diesel engine options
A closer look at the BMW 8 Series Convertible's rear-end
10/45
A closer look at the BMW 8 Series Convertible's rear-end
The M850i xDrive Convertible is powered by a 523-hp twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8
11/45
The M850i xDrive Convertible is powered by a 523-hp twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8
BMW doesn't skimp on luxury and tech inside
12/45
BMW doesn't skimp on luxury and tech inside
Control options include steering wheel buttons, the BMW iDrive Controller and voice control
13/45
Control options include steering wheel buttons, the BMW iDrive Controller and voice control
The 10.3-in touchscreen comes standard on the media and navigation system
14/45
The 10.3-in touchscreen comes standard on the media and navigation system
The 8 Series Convertible includes a digital cockpit
15/45
The 8 Series Convertible includes a digital cockpit
The standard wind deflector boosts comfort during quick, open-top driving
16/45
The standard wind deflector boosts comfort during quick, open-top driving
The 8 Series Convertible seats four
17/45
The 8 Series Convertible seats four
BMW 8 Series Convertible top closing sequence
18/45
BMW 8 Series Convertible top closing sequence
BMW 8 Series Convertible top closing sequence
19/45
BMW 8 Series Convertible top closing sequence
BMW 8 Series Convertible top closing sequence
20/45
BMW 8 Series Convertible top closing sequence
BMW 8 Series Convertible top closing sequence
21/45
BMW 8 Series Convertible top closing sequence
BMW 8 Series Convertible top closing sequence
22/45
BMW 8 Series Convertible top closing sequence
From furious mountain switchbacks to open highway cruising, the BMW 8 Series Convertible looks like a very nice choice
23/45
From furious mountain switchbacks to open highway cruising, the BMW 8 Series Convertible looks like a very nice choice
BMW will launch two 8 Series Convertible models in 2019
24/45
BMW will launch two 8 Series Convertible models in 2019
BMW 8 Series Convertible
25/45
BMW 8 Series Convertible
BMW says the 8 Series headlamps are the slimmest in its lineup
26/45
BMW says the 8 Series headlamps are the slimmest in its lineup
BMW 8 Series Convertible
27/45
BMW 8 Series Convertible
Top down
28/45
Top down
Top up
29/45
Top up
BMW 8 Series Convertible
30/45
BMW 8 Series Convertible
The 8 convertible isn't quite as aggressive and sporty as the coupe, but it still looks the part of a performance convertible flagship
31/45
The 8 convertible isn't quite as aggressive and sporty as the coupe, but it still looks the part of a performance convertible flagship
Rear pass-through for extra storage versatility
32/45
Rear pass-through for extra storage versatility 
Wind deflector up
33/45
Wind deflector up
Look inside the 8 Series Convertible trunk
34/45
Look inside the 8 Series Convertible trunk
BMW M8 GTE race car and M8 street car prototype
35/45
BMW M8 GTE race car and M8 street car prototype 
BMW M is testing the M8 in Portugal as it prepares to move to production
36/45
BMW M is testing the M8 in Portugal as it prepares to move to production
BMW will launch the M8 in 2019
37/45
BMW will launch the M8 in 2019
The M8 will have a 590-hp twin-turbo V8
38/45
The M8 will have a 590-hp twin-turbo V8
BMW M8 prototype testing
39/45
BMW M8 prototype testing
BMW began 8 Series Convertible production this week
40/45
BMW began 8 Series Convertible production this week
BMW is building the 8 Series Convertible at its Dingolfing plant
41/45
BMW is building the 8 Series Convertible at its Dingolfing plant
The convertible will launch in March 2019
42/45
The convertible will launch in March 2019
BMW revealed the 8 Series Convertible just last week, then announced the start of production this week
43/45
BMW revealed the 8 Series Convertible just last week, then announced the start of production this week
BMW 8 Series Convertible
44/45
BMW 8 Series Convertible
Production starts on the BMW 8 Series Convertible
45/45
Production starts on the BMW 8 Series Convertible
View gallery - 45 images

Unlike the BMW i8 Roadster, which dragged to market years after the i8 Coupe, the all-new 8 Series Convertible hits production mere months after the 8 Series Coupe. BMW brings some rushing fresh air into its performance flagship, giving it 523 hp, precisely tuned, performance-focused construction, and a power soft-top that opens and closes in just 15 seconds. The 8 Series Convertible mixes all-out driving performance and breezy touring like no BMW before it.

The 8 Series Convertible loses a little of the coupe's menacing aggressiveness during the switch from fastback hard roof to contrast soft-top, but the new, taut, sharply creased design language ensures that it's but a tiny loss. The convertible maintains the intent gaze of the adaptive LED headlamps, keen smell of the flared nostrils, and deep breathing of the crisply defined intakes. Moving along the sides, the drop-top 8 Series shares the same gills aft of the front wheels, clean lines and smooth surfaces.

BMW offers a standard black soft-top with an available anthracite silver soft-top
BMW offers a standard black soft-top with an available anthracite silver soft-top

Things change out back, of course, but not too dramatically. The lower arch of the soft-top surrenders to a larger deck, which terminates at the pinched upper rear edge of the trunk lid. That edge plays home to the addition of a third brake light centered on a rear-end that otherwise follows the coupe closely – taillights that wrap around into slightly bulged rear fenders, vertical air outlets and dual exhaust tips.

An unseen change lurks behind the rear headrests, where two deployable aluminum roll bars are hidden. Should the car become prone to flipping, the bars deploy via pyrotechnic charge within a fraction of a second. The windshield frame has also been strengthened and convertible-specific underbody bracing added.

BMW 8 Series Convertible
BMW 8 Series Convertible

The soft-top comes standard in black but can also be optioned in anthracite silver. It opens and closes electrically in just 15 seconds at the push of a button and operates at speeds up to 31 mph (50 km/h). A standard wind deflector sets up behind the front seats to prevent air turbulence, and for added comfort, BMW offers an optional neck warmer system blowing warm air out through vents built into the front headrests.

Just like the coupe, the 8 convertible benefits from being developed alongside the upcoming M8 and the M8 GTE endurance racer. Weight sits low and spreads evenly front to rear thanks to the use of generous amounts of aluminum, magnesium and carbon fiber. An Adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers keeps the ride tight and smooth, while the Integral Active Steering system reduces the turning radius during maneuvering to boost agility. Mixed tires on the light-alloy wheels provide plenty of bite below.

BMW 8 Series Convertible top closing sequence
BMW 8 Series Convertible top closing sequence

BMW will launch the 8 Series Convertible in two powertrain flavors. The M850i xDrive Convertible puts 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of TwinPower Turbo 4.4-liter V8 muscle at the driver's disposal. That model can hit 62 mph (100 km/h) from stop in 3.9 seconds. The TwinPower Turbo 3.0-liter straight-six diesel in the 840d xDrive Convertible puts out up to 315 hp and 501 lb-ft, getting things running to 62 mph in 5.2 seconds.

Whichever engine the buyer chooses, it works in conjunction with an eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission and rear-biased xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive. The M850i xDrive also includes an electronic rear differential lock.

The 8 Series Convertible includes a digital cockpit
The 8 Series Convertible includes a digital cockpit

Driver excitement and enjoyment come first, but the 8 Series Convertible includes the accompanying tech and safety expected of a modern-day flagship. BMW Live Cockpit Professional navigation and multimedia with high-res digital instrument cluster and 10.3-in infotainment touchscreen comes standard, along with a head-up display, voice control and iDrive Controller.

Standard and available driver-assistance technologies include parking assistant with rear-view camera, collision and pedestrian warning with city braking, lane departure warning and active cruise control.

BMW 8 Series Convertible
BMW 8 Series Convertible

BMW began production of the 8 Series Convertible at its Dingolfing Plant earlier this week, building it on a single assembly line with 5 Series and 7 Series models. The new convertible will go on sale in March 2019.

The US won't be getting the 840d diesel, leaving the US$122,395 (after destination) M850i xDrive Convertible as the sole launch model. BMW will be showing it at this month's LA Auto Show.

If all that mention of BMW M performance components and tweaking has you wondering about the status of the much-anticipated M8, BMW also provided an update on that model this week.

BMW M8 prototype testing
BMW M8 prototype testing

The folks at BMW M GmbH are testing the prototype at Portugal's Estoril racing circuit as they move it through the final development phase ahead of series production. The 590-hp M8 Coupe will launch in 2019, and M8 Convertible and Gran Coupe models will follow down the line.

Source: BMW

View gallery - 45 images
1 comment
1 comment
guzmanchinky
I just picked up a new E400 convertible in Europe this summer, and I almost waited for this car. But the BMW costs twice as much and doesn't have the buttery air suspension of the Benz that I like so much. Sure looks fierce, though...