The BMW 8-Series has replaced the old 6-Series and purports to be both a great grand tourer as well as a sporty coupe.

Well, it certainly is more than capable of taking its occupants across an entire continent in comfort, and it also encourages the driver to to put it through its paces whenever he/she comes across a challenging piece of tarmac.

Combine these abilities with a very appealing design and a tech-jammed cabin with premium materials, and you’ve got a great all-rounder, as well as a more down-to-earth alternative to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe and Bentley Continental GT that doesn’t lack for performance.

Also Watch: The 2019 BMW M850i Is An Impressive Beast As Long As You Don’t Sit In Back

In the M850i xDrive, the twin-turbo 4-4liter V8 out 530 PS (523 hp / 390 kW) and 750 Nm (553 lb-ft) of torque. This is good enough for a 0–100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 3.7 seconds with the Launch Control function engaged.

Those who would rather opt for a diesel can choose the 840d xDrive. It uses a twin-turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, rated at 320 PS (315 hp / 235 kW) and 680 Nm (580 lb-ft) of torque. BMW claims that it can sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.9 seconds, but it’s not available in the U.S.

However, can the new 8-Series live up to the promises drummed up by its maker? AutoExpress was invited to sunny Portugal right before the Christmas Holidays to test it. And the reviewer found it hard not to praise some of its strong points, such as the handling and grip, improved 8-speed transmission, as well as the massive levels of comfort and some nice add-ons, like the crystal gear selector.

As for the rest of his notes, you’ll have to watch the video that follows.