BMW joins the upper class coupe segment with a new contender. New only by design as its name has been printed in BMW’s history. The new BMW Concept 8 Series previews the production car which will launch in 2018, first in a coupe shape, followed by a convertible and potentially a Gran Coupe as well.

Typically design concepts presented at motor shows and event such as the Concorso at Villa d’Este are based on actual prototypes of the car in the pipeline. They serve to test public reaction, allowing the design to be tweaked if necessary prior to launch and helping to set pricing and sales expectations. And this new concept is already being praised and admired by BMW fans from around the world.

In contrast to the squarish proportions of its predecessor, the new 8 Series Concept features lines that flow like water over its Barcelona Gray Liquid body. Creases along the hood and large side air intakes give the concept a fluid look. Bold arches framing 21-inch alloy wheels hint at the car’s rear-wheel-drive athleticism.

At the front, we can see that the kidney grilles are actually made of one grille surround, which is a BMW first. These massive kidney grilles are not likely to make it to the production car, though. At the rear end, we get a close look at the taillights, which have some genuinely interesting geometry to them, as they stick out and create interesting shapes.

Inside the cabin, look for sport seats with a carbon-fiber shell, red-anodized paddle shifters, and aluminum accents. The iDrive controller is new and also made from Swarovski glass.

Powertrain options remain unknown at this point, but the coupe could borrow engines from the 7 Series, including a 3.0-liter turbo-six, a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8, and even a 6.6-liter twin-turbo V-12. An M8 is likely in the cards as well.