The convertible version of the BMW 8-Series wants to offer the same driving thrills with its fixed-roof sibling, adding the benefit of a retractable soft top.
Combine this with the twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 of the M850i model and what you get is a topless GT with a very pleasing soundtrack and the sort of sporty handling you learned to expect from a high-end BMW.
The fabric soft top takes just 15 seconds to open or close at speeds up to 30 mph (48km/h) while BMW claims that the body is only 2 percent less stiiff compared to the Coupe, thanks to the extra bracing. With that said, the Convertible weighs 125kg (275lbs) more, tipping the scales at just over 2,000kg (4,409lbs).
Also Read: BMW Drops The Top On The All-New 8-Series Convertible
However, thanks to the clever setup of the car -and the adoption of the four-wheel steering-, the M850i Convertible manages to disguise its bulk pretty well on demanding winding roads, even on its more aggressive Sport Plus setting, as Carfection notes in their review.
With 523hp (530PS) and 553lb-ft (748Nm) of torque on tap, sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, the BMW M850i Convertible is capable of a 0-62mph (100km/h) in 3.9 seconds before hitting a limited top speed of 155mph (250km/h).
The problem with the surprisingly sporty 8-Series Convertible lies in its price tag; in the UK BMW’s flagship convertible starts from £107,045 for the M850i version, which puts it against a wide range of different rivals, including the Mercedes S-Class Convertible, the Porsche 911 Convertible, the Mercedes AMG GT Roadster and even BMW’s own i8 Roadster.
With the four-seat luxury convertible rivals offering a more special interior and the aforementioned two-seat sports cars offering even more thrills, the BMW M850i Convertible’s spot in the market is arguably a very tough one.