As we get closer to the unveiling of the production shape of the recently confirmed BMW 8 Series, videos of various prototypes roaming the Nurburgring are bound to appear ever more often. The latest comes from Youtube and it definitely makes us wonder if the car we’re looking at here isn’t actually the BMW M8. Why would we think that? Because of the mean V8 sound coming from the exhaust pipes, of course.
I do feel compelled to tell you that you really should be watching this video with a proper set of speakers or a good set of headphones if you really want to make out the deep growl of the V8 hidden under the hood of this prototype. It’s going to be worth it too, as this is definitely the best sounding BMW to come out in the last 10 years if you ask me. I know this might sound like sacrilege to some but it has some AMG-ness to it and that’s definitely not a bad thing.
As for the car itself, it’s pretty hard to distinguish any specific features of it, due to the heavy camo it is wearing. What seems to be rather obvious is that compared to the concept, the front end will definitely have smaller kidney grilles and bigger headlights, which is a good thing in my book. Other than that we’re also hoping that the futuristic instrument cluster the concept was boasting will be included in the end product as well as the hard character lines down its sides.
Once the new 8 Series comes out and arrives in a dealership near you next year, we’ll also get to know the specs of the models in the range. So far, we know there will be an entry-level 840i on the table as well as a top of the range M8. The possibility of seeing a V12 being used as it was the case on the original 8er is slim at most, but we reckon the straight sixes and the V8s will make up for it.
This sounds much better than the AMG 4.0 imo
I agree… could be M8. But, to me, it sounds better than AMG. Deeper, more refined. Like a performance engine rather than a luxury ‘show-off’ piece. I’m excited about this!
This is definitely tamer than the M8 though. The M8 made huge pops and bangs, the note was not as bassy. It had a more racy note that fits more for an M car imo
Well, nothing wrong with that! I hope you’re right…
Perhaps 850i and not M8.
The biggest argument against this car not being the M8 is the exhaust.
There were rumors that there’s gonna be absolutely new v8 engine on 8 series. Any ideas?…
I done signed up for that rumor B68B40 all the way, S68 for the M8. I think we’ll see it on the X7 first though.
What about size? Still 4,4?
PS Everytime I wonder why BMW doesn’t make feature of furning off half of cylinders…. Or other manufacturers who integrated it have problems with reliability of it…
Well if it’s a “B” engine logically it has 500cc cylinders so it’ll be a 4l.
As for the cylinder deactivation, BMW engines are pretty efficient already so maybe they think it’s not necessary ?
They are not more efficient than Audi’s or Mec’s. But they integrated it already.
Yes a V8 bot I hear no Manual Thow… ;-( I want a Manual!
its a luxury GT car why the hell would you want manual lol
It’s replacing the M6 Coupe that had a Manual. That’s why…
And the manual barely sold… So they decided it’s a waste of money. We can’t blame BMW for ditching the manual in a car that everyone wants as an automatic.
Why pay and finance $$$$$ for the Automatic? I want choice and involvement of a Free Manual like in the M3, M4, M5 and them M6 and in the 6 Series. Automatics are for Lazy People with no knowledge of how.. And less Weight too.. You have your own control and connection to the drivetrain. Look at the New Porsche GT3 with s Manual for Free not extra you pay big for… Yean on a Road Track a automatic is for Speed and time. About 1/2 to 2 seconds. On the Street I want the Manual for the Street… I select the gear for when and where I need it than hope it shifts here or there than searching…. Old Ferrari’s with Manuals sell at auctions at high prices, not automatics…
Relax man, I prefer manuals as well. For the same reasons. However, 99% of the people ain’t enthusiasts (even most of the enthusiasts nowadays prefer the sublime autos). Therefore it wouln’t make sense to offer a manual in a 100k+ GT car.
I don’t understand. Why won’t there be a V12 in BMW’s new FLAGSHIP??? I mean the 7 Series has a V12, how hard can it be to give the 8 Series an M760i xDrive variant as well, next to an M8 which is more performance oriented?