New 8-series is on the cards

[gjm 3258]

While the 6-series appears to have gone quietly into the night, there is hope. A new 8-series looks likely.

More news on May 26th.

[lord_jagganath 421]

I.... I don't know, I feel like there is room for a 5er coupe as well as a hyper car. 

[Young Thrash Driver 1020]

And a high riding 4wd coupe looking type 5er... must have as many odd permutations as possible! #beatingmercedesattheirowngame

[E30 325i Rag-Top 2963]

You can never have too many options... unless you are the customer... or the person trying to plan what stock to keep

[Michael. 2313]

Knowing BMW they will call it a 9 series.

...And make a coupe and sedan version.

Look at the mess they did with the 3 and 4 series. So unnecessary! 

[Olaf 3341]

18 hours ago, E30 325i Rag-Top said:

You can never have too many options... unless you are the customer... or the person trying to plan what stock to keep

... comes to mind #8 )

[treone 649]

Whatever series it turns out to be, I just hope it isn't a Aston, Jag, Maserati lookalike or clone. However, that profile is telling me something different...

[E30 325i Rag-Top 2963]

4 hours ago, Olaf said:

... comes to mind #8 )

Possibly not the best choice of words, but I was trying to keep it in plain English rather than use industry jargon!

lots of very exciting product in the pipeline right now.

[gjm 3258]

Could be, may be, perhaps something like this:

 

[Olaf 3341]

1 hour ago, E30 325i Rag-Top said:

Possibly not the best choice of words, but I was trying to keep it in plain English rather than use industry jargon!

lots of very exciting product in the pipeline right now.

I knew what you meant, I can't help seeing the funny side of stuff, Jon.  I imagine predicting what'll work in our little market is a tough job.  I'm genuinely looking forward to seeing what's on the horizon.

[hotwire 352]

17 minutes ago, gjm said:

Could be, may be, perhaps something like this:

 

Return of the shark nose!

[E30 325i Rag-Top 2963]

I was told that the new design language is going to be more "challenging" so likely to be more revolution than evolution.

Personally I think this will be a good thing as there is a need for a jump to a new generation of external styling in particular. Compared to a number of rivals the designs are looking a little too conservative.

Whether the new 8er is like that concept I don't know, but the closer it is the better (same for X2) for me.

[tawa 150]

Also hoping it is more of a revolution, than a modern rehash. Something similar to the new Ford GT in it's principals, take styling and design cues from the original, but then focus on pushing the boundaries like the original did, rather than focus on cloning the original with some new fandangledness, like the old new ford gt.

[gjm 3258]

The back looks very Aston Martin.

[gjm 3258]

It will replace the 6-series and will be available as a two door coupe, four door Gran coupe as well as a two door cabriolet.

So either your prayers are answered, or your worst fears realised.

That front-end is going to take some getting used to!

[Michael. 2313]

Looks like an Aston Martin and a Lexus. 

Eh.

Cars these days are strangled by pedestrian impact regs, it's such a shame. 

 

 

[lord_jagganath 421]

Looks like a jag with that front. too much like a fisker. less super car, more grand GT.  so no more 6 series Gran coupe eh.

[Daniel 36]

I think it looks like a great (white?) shark on wheels. And I like it. V12?

If I ever see one in my rear view mirror, I might just move over for fear of being eaten. Whole.

Edited May 28, 2017 by Dsdv

[Michael. 2313]

15 hours ago, Dsdv said:

I think it looks like a great (white?) shark on wheels. And I like it. V12?

If I ever see one in my rear view mirror, I might just move over for fear of being eaten. Whole.

I bet you they won't bother with a V12, and just lump the now run of the mill 4.4 V8 turbo in it, with a few mods. 

Without a V12 that would deter a lot of nostalgic buyers. 

Edited May 29, 2017 by Michael.

[E30 325i Rag-Top 2963]

BMW M8.

The BMW M8 is the icing on the cake of the sporty BMW 8 Series line-up.

Munich. Alongside the ongoing development of the standard 8 Series, the engineers at BMW M are also working flat out on the M model. A fully camouflaged, early prototype of the future BMW M8 will be unveiled in a driving presentation as part of the support programme for the Nürburgring 24-hour race. Classical M features like larger air intakes, modified brakes and a sports exhaust with four tailpipes hint at the significantly boosted power and dynamic potential of the car and whet the appetite for a driving experience of intense emotional richness.

“The conception and development of the standard BMW 8 Series and the M model run in parallel,” explains Frank van Meel, President BMW M Division. “The future BMW M8 will build on the genes of the 8 Series and augment its DNA with added track ability and generous extra portions of dynamic sharpness, precision and agility. It all flows into a driving experience that bears the familiar BMW M hallmarks and satisfies our customers’ most exacting requirements.”

Development is also underway of a race-spec car – the BMW M8 GTE – to spearhead the return of BMW Motorsport to Le Mans: “The BMW M8 GTE development programme for our Le Mans comeback is in full swing,” says BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “Developing a new racing car is always exciting, and in the case of the BMW M8 GTE the anticipation is that much greater still. We can’t reveal any pictures yet, but I can promise you that the BMW M8 GTE will look spectacular. We are planning an initial roll-out for the first half of this year and are looking at giving the car its race debut in the Daytona 24 Hours in late January 2018.”

[jeffbebe 1560]

Looks very Aston from the rear. Front grille is pretty ugly but it wouldn't surprise me if it gets a more front more consistent with the other models when a production version is made.

Hope it comes with a version of the twin turbo V12 that the new M760iL has.

[zero 1162]

I guess I'm the odd one out as I like the front.

I wonder what it would look like with the grills painted black.

[Daniel 36]

Yeah I'm a fan of the grille as well. Would probably be a little more subtle in black

[E30 325i Rag-Top 2963]

3 hours ago, jeffbebe said:

Looks very Aston from the rear. Front grille is pretty ugly but it wouldn't surprise me if it gets a more front more consistent with the other models when a production version is made.

Hope it comes with a version of the twin turbo V12 that the new M760iL has.

The regional president said that the new X3, due at the end of this year is the last of the current "design language" generation, the new models coming after that will have a new, more radical design language so expect more design cues from the new X2 than from the current model line up.

Will have to wait and see in terms of the engine line-up, the V12 is possible if an M860i is entered into the line up, but that is unlikely as there is usually not a petrol engined M Performance offering and a full M in the same series, there rules are always changing though so you never know!!

 

[E30 325i Rag-Top 2963]

Pics of M8 in camo. Personally I love the fact that BMW are putting out more official photos of the cars in the camo and promoting the new vehicles before the official launch date.