The final prototypes of the BMW 8 Series are still currently being tested on public roads, but unfortunately one of those vehicles was unveiled in a deadly crash. The accident took place near Bodenkirchen, a municipality in the district of Landshut in Bavaria, when the 37-year-old driver of a near-production test vehicle lost control of the coupe and went off the road.
Continue Reading Below
According to the preliminary police investigation, the driver was speeding and failed to follow the road up ahead while making a right turn. The 8 Series prototype, which appears to be an M850i version, collided with several trees before coming to a stop on the right side of the road.
The driver managed to exit the vehicle, but the the 53-year-old front passenger remained blocked inside the car.
Emergency rescue teams had to use a hydraulic spreader-cutter to remove the roof and take the injured woman out of the severely damaged BMW. Unfortunately, the victim had suffered multiple head injuries and died at the scene of the accident.
As you can see in the video, the car suffered significant damage and eventually came to a rest on its side.
Our sincere condolences go to the family of the deceased.
The BMW 8 Series Coupe will be officially revealed this coming Friday, on June 15, during the 86th 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race.
[Source: Motor1]
Very sad, this is the kind of news you hope to never see. There is no such thing as a good timing for a fatal accident, but obviously a couple days before the reveal it’s gonna raise questions
It obviously will. But I think it’s clear that excessive speed was involved, but in the end it’s an accident that should never have happen. BMWs reputation for safety is very solid and shouldn’t be impacted by this event.
Deepest condolences to the families!
The guy wont sleep well for the rest of his life. BMW must urgently review it´s procedures for the use of pre-production vehicles and strictly enforce it. Looks like it´s a bid slack at the moment.
Wow, you’re really sympathetic… Compassion much?
Pre-production vehicle and a woman in passenger seat? Who was it? What was she doing in the car?
Apparently his girlfriend’s mother, but since we don’t know for sure, we didn’t speculate, nor it matter much. It’s just tragic, regardless who died.
She wasn´t suppose to be there. Full stop!
How do you know? Why make these assumptions? And even if, it’s none of our business.
Pre-production test vehicles typically have a bunch of adaptor cables hooked directly to the wiring and then to laptop(s) in the passenger seat. Possible that the passenger was there to monitor said laptops.
Why when reading your comment the fact that she was a woman sounds important? Does it make any difference?
There goes his career with BMW. Violation of the speed limit led to a death. Pretty painful
Career should (rightfully) be the last of his concerns. I don’t know the law there but in the states that could be a manslaughter conviction.
He may have switched off the safety/traction inadvertently,a few new Ferrari owners who haven’t a clue have done that and totalled their cars.
Even putting that camouflaged body wrap is distracting for other drivers and hardly contributes to road safety, why hide the thing if it’s going to be sold in a few months time!