Talk about BMW producing a range-topping model to sit above the existing 7-Series certainly isn’t new. Long tipped to revive the 8-Series name, such a car seems all but confirmed and in a report from Automobile Magazine, it seems such a model is closer than ever to becoming a reality.
Importantly, this latest report suggests that the German marque won’t dub the model an 8-Series and instead call it the 9-Series. This is apparently because it doesn’t want to resurrect the name of an unpopular model and doesn’t own the rights to 10-Series.
It is claimed that such a car will be based around the long-wheelbase variant of the 7-Series and sit between the 7-Series and Rolls-Royce Ghost in the automaker’s portfolio. It will be a four-door ‘coupe’, produced in limited numbers and inspired by the Vision Future Luxury Concept. We can reportedly expect to welcome the 9-Series into the world sometime in early 2020 not long after the current 7-Series receives its obligatory mid-life facelift.
A number of different powertrains are said to be used by the new BMW range-topper including a 650 hp V12, a twin-turbo V8 and a six-cylinder plug-in hybrid. There’s also a chance an all-electric model could be offered.
Beyond the so-called 9-Series, the magazine claims that also in 2020, BMW will reveal an all-electric sedan dubbed the i6. Apparently the same size as the 3-Series, the car will incorporate a lithium-polymer battery back joined with either two or four electric motors.
As always, we’re taking these suggestions with a grain of salt but would be excited to see them come to fruition.
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