Being that it may be the most exciting model to come from Bavaria in a long time, we can’t get enough of the BMW 8 Series. It’s only the second generation of a model line that began in 1989. So it’s been a long time coming and we’re very excited. German publication Auto Bild recently sat down with BMW Chief of R&D, Klaus Fröhlich, to talk about the upcoming 8 Series and M8, so naturally we’re intrigued. Turns out, Fröhlich spilled some beans. Not too many, of course, but enough to excite the fanbase.
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The first part of the interview that really stood out was the target BMW had for the 8 Series. According to Fröhlich, the BMW 8 Series will actually be more of a Mercedes-AMG GT competitor than a Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe competitor, as we originally thought. “The 8’s will be a real driving machine and comes from the race track to the road,” We still expect it to be more of a sporty GT car that an all-out sports car, but it’s fantastic to hear that BMW really wanted it to be proper driver’s car.
Fröhlich also spoke about some of the engines. There will be a suite of available engines but it doesn’t seem likely that any of them with have more than eight cylinders. There may be an M860i but it sounds as if the 6.6 liter V12 from the M760i would be too heavy. Fröhlich insisted that the 8 Series resist understeer and putting a monster V12 under hood isn’t a good way to do that. So expect twin-turbo V8s in both the top-end 8 Series and M8. There also doesn’t seem to be a plug-in hybrid model in the immediate future, as BMW doesn’t see a good balance between usable electric range, boost and weight. Hybrids are far too heavy for proper driver’s cars like the 8 Series is intended to be.
Auto Bild, from the talks with Fröhlich, seems to think that the base model BMW 840i, with the B58 3.0 liter I6, will cost around 100,000 Euros. While this is expensive, the idea is to make the 8 Series the absolute flagship of the brand. As for the BMW M8, it will likely cost upwards of 180,000 Euros, which is a lot of moneys.
We can’t get enough 8 Series at the moment, so this interview is nerd-out stuff. If you’re like us, check it out and get excited.
[Source: Auto Bild]
He is not a development engineer, he is the head of development.
The 8er can be a proper sports car? With that heft? At the end of the day, comparing it to the AMG GT ends the comparison right at curb weight. No amount of clever marketing can negate physics.
At 1645kg (UE), the AMG GT isn’t exactly known for its lightness. A fairly radical M8 (twi seat, loads lf carbon) could very well be in that territory.
You’re very wrong… Amg gt is in another league.. 8 series will use a common platform from 7 series. Take a look at the amg gtr time at nurburing and compare to the m4 gts the best BMW.
The 8 Series will not use the 7’s platform, the chassis will be closer to the 5’s but most likely with some carbon. Also the AMG is a newer more powerful (585hp vs 500) and more expensive (145 000€ for the GTS vs around 200 000€ for a top spec GT R) car of another segment, it only make sense that it’s faster than the M4 GTS. I don’t even see how that comparison is relevant here ?? I was only talking weight anyway so no need to play the butthurt fanboy.
The difference between us it’s that I’m a professional, I work for bmw so I kinda know what’s going around. The 8 series will use the platform from 7 series and it will be a luxury car wich will go against the s class coupe, it will never be a true sport car like the amg gt. So don’t try to be smart
Could be BMW Motorrad lmao but really the 8 seems closer in size to the 5, a bit bigger than the current 6, maybe i’m wrong i’ve not seen it in person. But all these cars share the same CLAR platform anyway don’t they ? So there you go. Maybe because of the carbon core it’s closer in construction to the G11/12 but it’s not like it’s a two door 7.
Do you know that the new 5 series the G30 doesn’t use carbon fiber? The 7 series G11 does use carbon fiber.. The tech called carbon core.
Lol did you just answer a comment without even reading it ??
That is interesting, because if you work for BMW than you would probably know best, then. Right? But there’s another fella who happens to work for BMW. Name’s Klaus Fröhlich and he said it’s going to be a driver’s car. I wonder who’s probably more right? Plus, the 7 Series is based on a scalable architecture that also underpins the 5 Series and future X7, so it can be bigger or smaller, based on what BMW wants/needs.
Also, if you work for BMW, you’d know that a “platform” is just a series of dimensions and numbers that can be altered or changed. It doesn’t mean the 8 Series will be identical to the 7 Series in any way. So just take it easy, there, bud.
A drivers car? Lol
By dimensions it can be a drivers car like the s class coupe isn’t a driver’s car. If you could have the opportunity to drive the M car on the circuit like I did, you would know that the best M car is the 140i and the M2… Both small cars.. And the worst after X5/X6 is the 6 series both coupe and gran coupe.. Every bmw is designed to be a driver’s car, but not every single car is. Go to the circuit and drive 140i against M6 and then.. You will know what I mean
Years ago I drove a 323i & 650i back to back – amazed me how quickly the smaller, lighter vehicle took off (still preferred the V8). Locally I have seen M5 & M6 with Nurburgring maps on their back windows – Euro. delivery?
CLAR!
The F12 M6 weighs 1925kg.
What are the chances that the [larger] M8 can shed 280kg to compete with the AMG GT?
If the base car is already over 100kg lighter and they make a stripped-out version it could be around 1700kg. It’s not like BMW hadn’t shed hundreds of kilos off a car before…
Thinking of some of the tests of X M models I’ve read – apparently BMW can defy physics!
Still didn’t understand the concept of a 5+ meters long coupe but why not …
How long is the S Coupe? Wraith?
Probably the same or longer. I did not intend my comment for BMW only.
I like the big Coupes – seldom see anyone in the back of the sedans. Remind me of the American “personal luxury coupes” of my youth: Riviera, Continental, Grand Prix, Thunderbird, Monte Carlo…
How many long coupes do/did you own ?
I’ve only had an e9, which seems petite by comparison, but 5 of us drove to Myrtle Beach WITH luggage! We were younger. I couldn’t park a big coupe. Let alone afford one. 8 looks gorgeous, though.
Exactly, one cannot park a big coupé, it is not as sporty as a proper sport car, you had to exit the car to let your friends go, etc… it looks good but it is so much not convenient :-(
PS: did you sell your e9 ??????
It was 8 yrs. old when I bought it, rusted out 4 or 5 years later, sadly. Wonderful car, heartbreaker (fuse box caught on fire due to wheel well sheet metal rust. Damn you, Karmann!).
U just named the main point: Design!!!!
It just looks great, as this 8er shows again.
If u arent a family why not? Its a nice vehicle for longer trips in an elegant and luxurious style. Whats negative about that?
I don’t see the point of having 2 giant doors (so practical in parkings) and 4 seats … When I was single I went for a proper 2 seater …
There are TONS of big coupes (Wraith, Continental, DB11, S Coupe, 6 Series, Phantom Coupe, Challengenger…), there is DEFINITELY a market for the 8 Series. And if there is a market, there is a point. Matter of fact big coupes are pretty much a tradition now, they’ve been here forever !
The 6 series Coupe is such a success that they will stop this variant to keep the GC and the convertible:D
You are taking about a niche market, I can find you one for submarine cars as well. But BMW is NOT a niche brand (they have the English brands for that), this is why I don’t really see the point of the 8 series as a coupe.
If they happen to do a GC version, it will outsell it for sure.
I am afraid it will end up in a one-off, like the Phaeton at VW etc…
Isn’t the 8er going to LeMans?
FIA WEC in 2018, so yes, that will include a visit to Le Mans.
It might look like a niche market when you see the raw sales numbers, but at the price these cars go for the profit margins are very interesting (otherwise, brands wouldn’t keep adding cars there anyway). Plus, BMW has an history of filling and even creating niches anyway so it would still make sense. Btw the 6 hasn’t stopped production because it doesn’t sell, it’s just to make room for its replacement (the 8 series)… The convert and GC being further away there’s no point of stopping the production now.
Unless they’re gullwings!
Scissors for the i8.
The S coupe is a luxury car that is fast. It’s not for the same audience. BMW keeps focusing on heavy cars that look sporty, but they forget lag behind on the luxury component. They need to start leading in some segment, instead of being neither the sportiest, not the most luxurious.
Aside from a keyboard, what do you base any of this on?
This is meh on many levels.
First, this new look is a watered down styling language introduced by Bangle. Just look at the E60 and its derivative E63. They’re still better looking, composed designs. They’ve got attitude back then and they’re keeping it. Those lines haven’t aged at all. This? This has no personality within BMW group. Those headlights are looking like they’re leftovers/drawn in the last stage of sketching like “Oh, we need those too!”. And let’s everybody wait for the series car – hah!
Second, a v12 won’t work. Well, yes, because this is based on 5 series platform, so basically is a rebadged 6 series. building it on the 7 series platform wouldn’t be as sporty as they needed and even so, they’re telling that it will “resist understeer” LOL – Audi is smiling probably.
Camouflaged it looked way better because the proportions are and for many times I thought they’re targeting Aston Martin with this; now, after seeing it, I’m disliking it even more. The LC500 is a way better looking car.
The LC500 with its 5 cubic ft. trunk? You don’t know what you’re talking about – CLAR means the 5 & 8 are based on the 7. The Concept is gorgeous, I look forward to seeing it into the metal. Audi aren’t smiling – they’re in court.
I know that they are based on 7 series, but looking at the 5, is clearly smaller, just like the 8 is. The GranLusso Concept is based on 7 and the difference in size is obvious.
Yes, the concept is a looker, but – at least from my point of view – BMW could do it way batter. The E60 still turns heads after 14 years. Wow!
BMW make the best model car in 8 Series.anybody must like the model
???????
Hey john you don’t know my comment,I say BMW 8 Series all car is very nice.
this is great there Finally bring it back
eurobahnmotorsportsnc.com/bmw
What was the point of rebadging it if they are going to sell it on the same sportier end of GT market?
Edit: Oh yeah so they can sell the abortion that is a 5GT as a higher number to charge more.
It’s a very amazing and expensive car .M8 model see proper sports car. M8 model car is best car in the world because m8 have super fast engine.
LOL Are you a bot?
He’s a personal opinion on a public forum.
Not someone who comes here to trash the brand or its fans.