New BMW 8-Series Convertible Pictures Leave Little To The Imagination

After breaking ground with the new 8-Series Coupe earlier this summer, BMW is currently working on unveiling the model in both Cabriolet as well as Gran Coupe form.

Here, we have a gorgeous Barcelona Blue Metallic example, with a few Cerium Grey inserts such as the kidney grille and the air breathers. It also has some carbon fiber at the rear, surrounding the exhaust tips, but what’s really interesting is just how little camouflage there is on the car.

Compared to that other topless 8-Series prototype that BMW took to Death Valley last month, this one is practically naked and wearing just a face towel.

Luxurious and mean

Just like its fixed roof sibling, the 8-Series Convertible is also a very stylish and very aggressive-looking car. The contoured bonnet, slim headlights, large kidney grille or the strong character lines running along its flanks are all a sight to behold, as are the slim LED taillights that extend into the rear body panels.

While it may not be evident, we suspect the car is also wearing the M rear spoiler, which is actually a surprisingly subtle piece of kit, as demonstrated by the Coupe. Given the exterior trim details such as the grey mirror caps and double kidney grille, rear diffuser and exhaust trimmings, we’re most likely looking at the M850i xDrive.

No surprises inside

The image below was actually released by BMW themselves during the 8-Series Convertible’s test run in Death Valley. Aside from a designated button to open and close the soft-top, the cabin should be the exact same one as in the Coupe version.

Overall, it’s a very elegant interior (leather and contrast stitching everywhere), one that naturally has to rise to the standards of something like an S-Class Coupe/Cabrio, which has one of the most beautifully-styled interiors in the industry.

There’s also no shortage of tech inside the 8er, regardless of body style. From its brand new operating system to the 12.3-inch infotainment screen or the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. As for safety, there’s Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, a Steering and Lane control assistant, Parking Assistant and a whole lot more.

Pedal to the metal

While we’re not exactly sure how BMW will shuffle its engine range when it comes to their three 8-Series variants, it’s likely that whatever went into the Coupe will also power the Convertible model. This means getting an 840d xDrive Cabrio and an M850i xDrive Cabrio version, for starters.

The former would feature a 3.0-liter TwinPower turbodiesel six-cylinder unit, with 320 PS (315 HP) and 680 Nm (580 lb-ft) of torque, whereas the latter a new twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 with 530 PS (523 HP) and 750 Nm (553 lb-ft) of torque. An eight-speed Steptronic automatic gearbox will also be present.

BMW will make us wait until 2019 for a full unveiling of their 8-Series Convertible.