Ok folks! Real photos from Italy's new 8-series unveiling.

[Alec Cartio]

Here you can see it in the flesh from our Petrolicious team in italy.
I personally absolutely love it. Let's discuss.

[ltbrett]

That's an awful lot of front grill and splitter. Love the rest of the exterior--especially the color. The interior seems under-whelming, but I'll reserve judgment until more photos are released.

Brett

[dragon850]

So, I spent about 10 min absorbing the images as I did not want to cast judgement immediately... Huge wheels, huge grill, huge splitter... I do kinda like it from the side, the lines are nice, any other angle is just not my cup of tea. It could be that I am getting older and stuck in my ways of pre Bangle design and my taste have not evolved over the last 15 years... because my 8 year old absolutely loves it!!!
On the other hand, (I think I am gonna get some heat for this) I really think MB nailed it with their S class coupe and this is a new design :

[peake]

The rear wheels looks smaller than the front wheels!

[cartoonz]

Personally, I think it is just too much Batman.

Which is really tough fo me to say, 'cause I love batman... just not this much batman in a car....

Meanwhile, Ed's right... MBZ nailed it. (I might even be able to stomach the little duck trunk thing)

[merlin840]

I really don't like the front grill and the steering wheel but the rest is very good looks sort of aston-ish from the side
i would have really liked something more like the M1 homage to be fair i thought that was stunning even the wheels grew on me eventually

[Timm]

I don't think it is a pillar-less coupe, looks to have non-retractable rear windows just like the E63.....

[clubE31]

rear, vents, wheel size, interior: top

Front: just too big/agressive a bit less would make it more stylish.

What's under the HOOD !?

[PabloRock]

I agree with most, the front end needs to be toned down a bit. Other than that, I really like it. The steering wheel is a little "futuristic", but I have a feeling that won't make it to production (at least not in the US with all the rules we have). Hopefully that rear window will go down.

[Mikekugel]

So, I spent about 10 min absorbing the images as I did not want to cast judgement immediately... Huge wheels, huge grill, huge splitter... I do kinda like it from the side, the lines are nice, any other angle is just not my cup of tea. It could be that I am getting older and stuck in my ways of pre Bangle design and my taste have not evolved over the last 15 years... because my 8 year old absolutely loves it!!!
On the other hand, (I think I am gonna get some heat for this) I really think MB nailed it with their S class coupe and this is a new design :

. I'm still digesting this new idea for an 8 series, but agree with you Ed about the MB. I saw one just the other day, and had to stop and admire it. My DD is an Infiniti G37s coupe which I enjoy driving immensely,. The shape of the body (Rounded) drew me in, and the overall performance keeps me smiling. It is also a reasonably simple car, no turbos, port injection etc. When I look at this new 8, I am seeing Mustang, Aston, M6 and perhaps a touch of Cadillac.

[72tpik5]

For the most part I like it. The side mirrors are weak, It shouldn't have a shifter in the console, it it has paddles, if it doesn't have paddles, it should. I think the front is too aggresive, unless this thing is a 500HP, 8/10 speed monster. I also wish it didn't say 8 series everywhere. If you know, you know.

[TTTXGreg]

Shrink the kidneys.

[CaifanSC]

damn....i think I like it.

Totally agree with the MB S coupe...what a great car.

I hope from concept to production the new 8er doesn't change much. The "aggressive" stance was totally on purpose to compete in the upper echelons of the car world. If they continue making the exceptions they have with the US-market big coupes and offer this piece in a 6speed manual, I may be in danger.

Also curious about the power plant but given the engine in the new M7...i think it's pretty much a given that the 8er would get the v12 turbo powerplant too...which is fine in my book!

[Alec Cartio]

So when the F code of this car comes out and people begin to buy them (including myself), are we adding a new extension to this E31 forum and begin welcoming home new 8 series owners worldwide?. exciting isn't it? lots of new recruits.

[Alec Cartio]

So when the F code of this car comes out and people begin to buy them (including myself), are we adding a new extension to this E31 forum and begin welcoming home new 8 series owners worldwide?. exciting isn't it? lots of new recruits.

[toomanyparts]

Shrink the kidneys.

This! The world is in love with big faced front ends, even when they have no function (Tesla S).

I also think the MB S coupe is really well done. Will be hard to top in terms of refinement in the design.

[bmw528e11]

First time I seen it, it was fine, reminded me of Lexus Lf Lc and the Lexus Looking exhuast... it does seems like Toyota and BMW did meet up secretly last year..
lexus-lf-lc.jpg
9-Lexus-LC.jpg


Personally I thought the golden 8 will get into the lead, since it does have similar things in common..
BMW-8-Series-rendering-tribute-7-750x500.jpg

or if not making it look like an e31, then at least make it look different from Japanese.. grr..
b-2_6.jpg


Maybe BMW Group seen what we wrote online, and by producing this 'new' 8, will raise e31 price dramatically hahah..

And one more thing BMW i8 looks more alike to an e31, then this concept 'thing'.

[blanz]

Oh boy, this is when it will get interesting.
1) kidneys are waaay too big
2) Does it really need those huge indentations where our brake cooling ducts are
3) Too much polished stainless steel or aluminum on the interior.
4) Cant wait 23 years before I can afford one
5) Fire the Lexus engineer that snuck into the design studio.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[XAlt]

The large E32\E34 kidneys were the beginning of the end for BMW, look at where we're at now.

This makes the Z9 look like an F̶4̶0̶ E31.

[tvjake2]

So when the F code of this car comes out and people begin to buy them (including myself), are we adding a new extension to this E31 forum and begin welcoming home new 8 series owners worldwide?. exciting isn't it? lots of new recruits.

No. Their interests will be different. We are about preservation and resurrection. They'll be about...something else.

[razman850]

Its hard to judge from pictures, something is off proportion wise but it might turn out to be a knock out if you see it on the road.
Is it still going to turn heads in another 25 years like the e31? I dont know.

[bmw528e11]

Is it still going to turn heads in another 25 years like the e31? I dont know.

I have more respect for an i8, it doesn't look like benz or Hyundai.. when ever i see it, i do turn around to look at it again..

[dragon850]

I have more respect for an i8, it doesn't look like benz or Hyundai.. when ever i see it, i do turn around to look at it again..

Funny you said that, I like the i8 too, better than the 8 concept. I do wish I 8 came with some proper width wheels, not borrowed from the bicycle ...

- - - Updated - - -

No. Their interests will be different. We are about preservation and resurrection. They'll be about...something else.

Unfortunately you are correct. Many first owners in this price range don't even know what they drive, they just know it's flashy, expensive and is an extension of their status.

[Chillax]

I agree about the kidneys ... waaaay too big! the rest looks nice... could lose the "bling" trim around the windows..

I linked the youtube vid on the chapter web site: http://www.bmwccae31.com/e31-video/

[Linwood Mingis]

Here you can see it in the flesh from our Petrolicious team in italy.
I personally absolutely love it. Let's discuss.

I have way too much time on my hands.... so I looked at photos, and then thought about all this...and

It is time for the current six series to be put away, it just does not cut it with the BMW line up today.
BMW needs a flagship super car in the "200 club"..... it should have a top speed a little over 200 MPH and cost a little under $200K. (not to mention a 0 to 60 time of not much over 3 seconds in the M8 version)
still too much time on my hands.....
more thoughts.....

Why not a Aston-Martin DB11, Mercedes GT-S, and even a Ferrari F-12 Berlinetta competitor. I mean even Lexus has just joined this exclusive club as well. Perhaps a twin turbo V8, but also an M8 version that has a v12 and has all the right stuff...carbon fiber everything, ceramic brakes etc, and yes that car would be a world class super car!!!
As far as the styling goes.....whether you like it, the 90's are over. This is a modern "today" version of the high performance luxury front engine GT. I think it is much needed in this type of market. Lets hope BMW does it right with a car that competes and in some cases surpasses the above mentioned cars capabilities. Perhaps this car will make its mark on the world stage of supercars much better than the first 8 did back in the day!!!
Finally, I find this car really exciting. But, by the time its depreciation curve puts it in my price range I will most likely be dead. Oh well!!!!!