When the 3rd generation BMW 6-Series came out in 2011 following the Concept 6 Series that was unveiled the year before in Paris, it was considered a handsome-looking, albeit conservatively styled, gran tourer.
Unlike its f(r)unkier predecessor, the F13 6-Series wasn’t designed by Chris Bangle, but rather Adrian van Hooydonk, who also happened to work on the concept that went on to become the all-new BMW 8-Series Coupe.
Comparing the two and despite the name change, this is (mostly) an evolutionary redesign, with BMW being more adventurous this time, dropping some of the more conservative angles and lines in favor of more expressive visuals.
A picture is worth a thousand words
While the new 8-Series’ grille isn’t as massive or angled as the one on the concept, and its headlights aren’t as aggressive, the car’s fascia looks more menacing than the F13’s, which some say looks more docile than the much older E63’s.
Move around to the side and you’re met with more of the same. Where the F13 features that linear arch-to-taillight belt line, the new 8-Series looks more voluptuous and muscular, especially towards the rear. It’s clear that BMW wanted to strike a balance between a sports car and a luxury GT, the likes of which the old 6-Series was never able to embody.
As for the taillights, they’re both L-shaped and…that’s pretty much where the similarities end. Again we’d argue in favor of the new model looking a lot more sporty and more importantly, planted, although, the 6-Series’ rear end looks sufficiently aggressive too, it always has.
Two surprisingly similar interior designs
Is it wrong to feel as though the 6-Series’ cabin is actually more driver-focused than the one in the new 8-Series? Maybe it’s because of how the dashboard curves towards the driver, or perhaps the less intricate M Sport steering wheel.
Take away the newer displays and fancy switchgear and you might find the two interiors comparable. This is just a working theory, so you’ll have to tell us if you agree that the older car’s cabin would actually work better aesthetically inside the newer model, and vice-versa.
Of course, that’s not to say that BMW didn’t do a good job with the 8-Series. Seen as how they want it to go against both a Mercedes S-Class Coupe as well as a Porsche 911 (sort of), the balance they struck is probably a very healthy one.
All things considered, BMW’s all-new 8-Series Coupe is basically an ultra-modern take on the 6-Series Coupe and it shows. Every body panel seems more purposeful, every light cluster more aggressive and every interior display more powerful, from a graphics standpoint. This is how progress looks in Munich.
