BMW Expects Gran Coupe To Make Up Over Half Of Combined 8 Series Sales

It didn’t take long for BMW to put the new 8 Series Gran Coupe into production following the model’s official reveal in mid-June.

On Monday, BMW’s Dingolfing factory begun building the largest 8 Series model ever, the four-door Gran Coupe. However, that’s not the only 8 Series model that goes into production today. The Gran Coupe version is joined by the new M8 Competition Coupe and the M8 Competition Convertible.

This brings the total number of 8 Series models built at the Bavarian plant to five, including the regular BMW 8 Series Coupe and 8 Series Convertible. There’s also a sixth model on the horizon, the BMW M8 Gran Coupe which will have its world premiere later this year, most likely at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

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BMW describes the 8 Series Gran Coupe as a “genuine sports car that combines spaciousness in the rear with all the benefits of a luxury sedan.” That’s made possible by the increased dimensions compared to the two-door coupe: 231 mm (9.1 inches) of added length and 61 mm (2.4 inches) of added height. The four-door 8 Series model also sets a new production record: its 28 mm (1.1 inches) wider rear axle is the widest rear axle of all BMW models currently in production.

The larger footprint makes the 8 Series Gran Coupe around 70 kg (154 lbs) heavier than the two-door model — a “moderate” gain according to BMW. This is made possible by the intelligent mix of materials: the doors and flaps are made of aluminum and the boot lid formed from SMC plastic.

BMW expects the Gran Coupe to become the most successful member of the 8 Series family, making up over half of the total volumes. This would make it the most produced 8 Series model. A third of sales is expected to come from the United States, followed by the Middle East and the UK.

At market launch this fall, the 8 Series Gran Coupe will be available with three engine variants: a 530 PS (523 hp) 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 gasoline unit in the range-topping M850i, a 340 PS (335 hp) 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six gasoline unit, and a 320 PS (316 hp) 3.0-liter straight-six turbo diesel. Later on, the M8 Gran Coupe will offer up to 625 PS (616 hp) from a souped-up 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8.