The New BMW Concept 8 Series Previews a Luxury 2-Door with the Mercedes S-Class Coupe Firmly in Its Sights

This is the new BMW Concept 8 Series, a flagship 2+2 coupe designed to compete with the Mercedes S-Class Coupe.

Revealed at this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy, the close-to-production design study will morph into a showroom model next year. Following in its footsteps will be a broadening lineup of new 8 Series models, including an 8 Series Convertible and 8 Series Gran Coupe.

“The number 8 has always represented the pinnacle of sports performance and exclusivity at BMW,” said Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Harald Krüger. “The forthcoming BMW 8 Series Coupe will demonstrate that razor-sharp dynamics and modern luxury can go hand-in-hand.”

The concept is a long and rakish two-door coupe with a whiff of Maserati about its proportions. BMW, however, says that the car shows a ‘fresh interpretation of iconic BMW styling cues. At the front, slender laser lights sporting a similar light signature to that seen on the new 5 and 7 Series flank an oversized kidney grille. A carbon fibre front lip beneath is also said to underline the car’s ‘sporty and high-performance’ character.

Barcelona Grey Liquid

Air Breathers behind the front wheel arches lead into aggressively sculpted flanks, which rise into flared rear arches housing 21-inch alloy wheels. The concept is also finished in a new exterior colour called Barcelona Grey Liquid, which was designed exclusively for the concept.

A large centre console stack pours downwards in the cabin, featuring a large infotainment screen perched atop it. BMW says a “smooth connection” exists between the car’s three control clusters—the centre console, the instrument panel, and the doors. Slim sports seats feature, while the cabin is trimmed in Marino leather in dark brown and white. Naked carbon fibre trim is applied liberally to lend a sporty feeling to the cockpit.

BMW 8 Series Engines and Spec Details

As the 8 Series is only a design study, no official details on the platform or power-trains have been announced. However, Autoscommunity understands the 8 Series will be based on the same CLAR architecture as the latest 7 Series.

That platform can adopt everything from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine to a 6.6-liter 12-cylinder motor. Indeed, recent trademark applications suggest that BMW plans to roll out a varied mix of models within the 8 Series range; names within the lineup registered for trademarks include 825, 830, 835, 845, and 850.

At the top of the range, BMW has also ring-fenced the M8 badge, which indicates that the firm is eyeing a flagship rival for the Merc-AMG S63 coupe. Those models would likely use the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 if given the green light.