BMW’s Panamera Is Here: 8-Series Gran Coupe Visits The ‘Ring For Fine Tuning [Update]

These are the first spy shots of the upcoming 8-Series Gran Coupe, which is a longer, four-door version of the recently launched Coupe.

The new member of the expanding 8-Series family was previewed by τηε M8 Gran Coupe concept at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. As the test car shows, the four-door 8-Series does a pretty good job at retaining the dynamic lines of the Coupe, only now it’s noticeably longer to make room for those extra rear doors.

This will enable BMW to go after other big sporty executive models like the Porsche Panamera and the Mercedes AMG GT4 Coupe, while those looking for al fresco motoring will have to wait for the Convertible.

The 8-Series Gran Coupe will pack BMW’s latest tech features, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster paired with a 10.25-inch display for the infotainment system, active anti-roll bars and a rather long list of driver assistance systems.

Don’t expect any surprises in the engine department; the 8-Series Gran Coupe will share the same powertrains with the Coupe, including the new twin-turbo 523hp 4.4-liter V8 and a 3.0-liter 315hp diesel straight-six, the latter available only to European customers.

As for the range-topping M8 Gran Coupe, we expect BMW to use the same oily bits with the current M5, meaning a twin-turbo 600hp V8 pared to a configurable all-wheel drive system. Some reports suggest that the M Division will increase the horsepower figure for the M8 a little, just to give its flagship M model the edge, but that remains to be seen.

BMW is expected to reveal the production version of the 8-Series Gran Coupe in 2019 as a 2020MY.

Update

Our spies have spotted another BMW 8-Series Gran Coupe, this time at the Nurburgring during some high-speed testing. Shooting the prototype under AMG GT4’s billboard was simply a bonus.

The test car is the M850i xDrive version, meaning it’s fitted with the new twin-turbo 523hp 4.4-liter V8 engine. This version will serve as the range-topper, up until BMW decides to pull the wraps off the much anticipated M8.

BMW is keen on making the range-topping M8 feel noticeably sharper than the rest of the lineup, as it will be not only a halo car for the entire BMW range but also the flagship of the company’s M Division. The German car maker has developed the M8 alongside the regular 8-Series.

The Gran Coupe version is expected to offer both a strict four-seat layout and a more traditional five-seat setup inside its cabin. The extended wheelbase looks long enough to accommodate passengers in comfort at the back but whether the sloping roofline leaves enough room for their heads remains to be seen.

Image Credits: CarPix, S. Baldauf/SB-Medien for CarScoops