Tag Archives: 8 series

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Up Close with the BMW 8-Series Concept at the Quail

As you might have seen in a previous post, I recently attended the Quail, a Motorsports Gathering, part of the legendary Monterey Car Week. There was everything a car guy could hope for: cars of all vintage, food, music, booze, beautiful people, and celebrities. It was Christmas morning and I felt like I was 8 again.

But I want to talk more about a very special car present at the Quail: the new 8-Series concept. We’ve all seen the press release photos. You know, the ones with perfect lighting and shadows. However, the real test is to see how it is in real life. I thought the concept, personally, looked great. In short, the new 8er makes the outgoing 6-series look pedestrian and mercilessly mundane. What was a thoroughly handsome car has now become slightly boring.

So, what has changed about the look? The new 8 is a much more aggressive car. The stance appears far more purposeful, and while the 6 was just round, the 8 manages to be both round and sharp together. Lovely creases form the tapered front and rear sections with a more swooping shape to the side. The proportions and roofline are spot-on. There are slits and slats abundant all around, up front, in the rear, and even the sides. I particularly like the slim, slit-like tail lights. In contrast to the current crop of BMW tail lights which feature a large housing around LED lights, this is just the LED strip itself. I bet the view following the 8 will be mega.

While I really do like the car and see it as an improvement over the 6, I do have a few things I don’t like. Mainly, the grille. Talking to Jonny Lieberman from Motor Trend, he said it best, describing it as, “Bitey.” It does give the impression it’s trying to swallow you, and not in a good way. Just something about it is off, the styling of the trademark kidney grilles are too pronounced and exaggerated.

Also, all those cool vents,  when peering inside I couldn’t help but notice the cheap looking plastic grilles inside. They were just dull black plastic. C’mon, BMW. Some carbon or gloss black grilles would be much better, and for how much the 8 will cost, it should be better.

Overall though, it is a good looking car. This is a concept, remember, so it could change slightly before the production model is ready. I’m also quite keen to see the inevitable M8 as well.

 

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BMW To Unveil World Premiere Concept Car at the Monterey Car Week 2017

After an eighteen year hiatus, the ‘8 Series’ name returns to the BMW portfolio with the BMW Concept 8 Series shown on the Concept Lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance this year. The BMW Concept 8 Series serves as a preview of a forthcoming BMW model – the new BMW 8 Series Coupe, slated for launch in 2018.

“The number 8 and cars like the Z8 Roadster and i8 have represented the pinnacle of sports performance and exclusivity at BMW,” explains Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG 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. In the process, we will strengthen our claim to leadership in the luxury class.”

The BMW Concept 8 Series reveals much of what is yet to come. “The BMW Concept 8 Series is our take on a full-blooded high-end driving machine,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design. “It is a luxurious sports car which embodies both unadulterated dynamics and modern luxury like arguably no other. For me, it’s a slice of pure automotive fascination.” The BMW Concept 8 Series makes its North American debut after being first shown at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in late May. The BMW Concept 8 Series will be shown publicly at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering on Friday August 18th and on the Concept Lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on Sunday August 20th.

The aforementioned World Premiere BMW Concept vehicle also previews a new model that will come to market in 2018. The World Premiere BMW Concept will have its only North American public showing on the Concept Lawn of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on Sunday August 20th.

BMW will again participate in the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion this year campaigning two historic cars driven by notable drivers. The famous 1975 BMW 3.0 CSL #25 will, one last time, be driven by former BMW of North America President Ludwig Willisch while the 1972 ALPINA 2002ti will be driven by none other than Adrian van Hooydonk, BMW Group Head of Design.