Scoop: 2019 BMW 8-Series Convertible Out Of Its Natural Habitat During ‘Ring Tests

The BMW 8-Series Convertible is inching closer towards an official premiere and was recently snapped during tests at Germany’s Nurburgring.

Just like the prototype which our spy photographers snapped last month, this BMW 8-Series appears to be painted in Barcelona Blue. However, it has been made to look a little more aggressive with a gloss black kidney grille up front, M Performance wheels, and a set of blue brake calipers.

BMW’s engineers have only bothered to slap some thin camouflage on the vehicle’s rear decklid and haven’t fitted any badges in a bid to disguise exactly what model we’re looking at. However, judging by the aforementioned wheels and brakes, as well as the rear diffuser and large dual tailpipes, we’re quietly confident that this is the M850i xDrive Convertible. Like the Coupe, it looks very nice indeed.

BMW hasn’t said which 8-Series variants will be offered in Convertible guises but we expect to see exactly the same powertrains as the Coupe offered in droptop form. Consequently, the M850i xDrive Convertible in question will utilize a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 delivering 523 hp and 553 lb-ft (750 Nm) of torque. A 3.0-liter TwinPower turbodiesel six-cylinder with 315 hp and 580 lb-ft (680 Nm) will be used by the 840d xDrive Convertible. Both of these models will be sold exclusively with an eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission.

Inside, the 8-Series Convertible will be identical to the Coupe. Consequently, it will adopt a large 12.3-inch infotainment screen and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. They’ll also be a sporty, three-spoke steering wheel, a healthy dose of leather, and some metal and wooden accents. It may not be as awe-inspiring as the interiors of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet and Coupe but it should satisfy customers.

Despite the almost total lack of camouflage of this prototype, BMW will reportedly hold off revealing the 8-Series Convertible until next year.