What's all this about?
We've got our first look at the BMW 8 Series, the company's new large coupe, and rival for the Mercedes S-Class Coupe. Well, it's more a glimpse of the rear in a darkened room, really. But even from the obscured photo, it's clear the big BMW is going to be a looker.
It is indeed. Is something else happening with the 8 Series at the moment?
Yes, it's currently undergoing a series of tests in Italy. BMW says a close-to-production prototype wearing heavy camouflage is pounding the 2.5-mile track at the high-speed proving ground in Aprilia, near Rome. Engineers are there to test the 8 Series' driving dynamics on surfaces with a high friction coefficient. Acceleration, braking and steering behaviour are all being analysed by the team conducting the testing, too.
And isn't the 8 Series already spurring off with new additions to the family?
You've been paying attention! BMW will launch the roadgoing 8 Series later in 2018, but it is being developed in close parallel with the M8 performance version, so it shouldn't be long before that model joins the standard car in showrooms. And then there's the M8 GTE racing car. Indeed, this will be seen on the race circuit first, as BMW heads to the US and Florida on January 27/28 for the Daytona 24 Hours endurance race.
Anything else?
"The test drives under the most severe conditions show that we are right on target with our concept for the new BMW 8 Series Coupe," said Klaus Frohlich, member of the board of BMW AG, Development and Research, which oversees the test programme in Italy. "The vehicle dynamics values already achieved are absolutely impressive. Our customers and fans can look forward to a genuine sports car."
Matt Robinson - 24 Jan 2018