Though the name isn’t pretty, the coupe’s swoopy silhouette certainly is. The M850i xDrive will come standard with all-wheel drive, a 523-hp twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 and an eight-speed automatic. According to BMW, that combo should be good for 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.
The 8-series was always more mile-munching grand-tourer than nimble sports car, but that hasn’t stopped BMW from making the new car lively. An adjustable sports exhaust system is standard, along with M sport brakes, adaptive M suspension and selectable sport and sport plus modes. The AWD system is rear-biased, and an electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential is standard equipment.
Though pop-up headlamps won’t be coming back, the new car comes with LED headlights and BMW’s LaserLight technology. A carbon-fiber roof is optional, a first for a non-M model.
Inside, merino leather upholstery, a 16-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system and either a 10.25- or 12.3-inch digital display provide the requisite luxury feel. BMW Live Cockpit Professional is also on tap, plus the latest generation of iDrive.
The new 8-series will be battling its old foe, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class coupe, when it debuts this winter. Since Mercedes-Benz also offers AMG variants of the S-Class coupe, we’ll be waiting patiently for BMW to unveil a true M version of its new flagship GT car.
