The New 2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé

Richmond Hill, ON. BMW is pleased to introduce the new four-door 2020 8 Series Gran Coupé, which will debut in Canada this fall as an M850i xDrive Gran Coupé variant. The new M850i xDrive Gran Coupé offers the unmatched combination of beautiful design, luxurious appointments, the latest driver assist systems, connectivity and sports car performance expected from the top of the line of BMW automobiles.

Featuring a unique design from the windscreen back, the new BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé is 230 mm longer, 30.5 mm wider, 56 mm taller and with a wheelbase which is 200 mm longer than the 8 Series Coupé. Handcrafted exterior elements confirm the new 8 Series Gran Coupé as the choice for those discriminating drivers seeking modern elegance.     

Exterior design

The new BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé offers a stunning and powerful swooping four-door body with wide flanks and sharp creased modern lines. In fact, with a rear track of 167 cm (30.5 mm wider than the 8 Series Coupé) the 8 Series Gran Coupé stands on the widest rear track of any BMW automobile; a design criteria which required an update of the Plant Dingolfing assembly line in order to accommodate the new, wider platform.

From the a-pillar back, the 8 Series Gran Coupé design differs from that of the Coupé to increase interior space and deliver a vehicle with strong presence and authority. The windshield features less rake than the Coupé to allow the roofline to raise to a higher point above the front seats, providing increased headroom for both front and rear passengers. The roof then merges into the rear trunk lid with fin-like transitional lines to create the visual of a long and swoopy body. The rear window is mounted with an increased rake to increase the size of the trunk opening and also acts to from a fixed part of the body’s structure to increase torsional rigidity and reduce noise entering the interior cabin. The subtle flying buttress design of the rear glass surround requires that the finishing folds of the metalwork be done by hand, a very unique feature that allows a BMW automobile with a truly elegant design to be delivered to each and every owner.

The standard panoramic roof is made from glass that stretches from the front windshield all the way back to the rear window greatly increasing the light entering the cabin. The multi-functional antenna is integrated into the rear glass, eliminating the need for the recognizable roof shark antenna to allow for the larger roof glass.

Standard Icon Adaptive LED Headlights with Laserlight flank the one piece hexagonal BMW kidney grille surround which frames active air intake slats inside. Large openings in either side of the front bumper give the low slung front end of the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé an aggressive appearance. Functional Air Breathers let air flow through the front fenders improving both aerodynamics and styling. The Hofmeister kink in the expansive c-pillar ties the flowing side profile lines of the new Gran Coupé to heavily sculptures rear fenders and trunk lid. Slim LED rear lights stand high over trapezoidal twin exhaust pipes.

Intelligent mix of lightweight materials help reduce weight in the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé.  Aluminum construction is used for the doors, hood, roof, front bulkhead, engine subframe and rear bumper support. The trunk lid is made from dent resistant plastic while the cabin dashboard support is made from magnesium and parts of the center driveline tunnel are made from carbon-fiber reinforced plastic.

Interior design

The BMW 8 Series’ blend of sporting flair and luxury can now be enjoyed from all five available seats in the new Gran Coupé. The longer wheelbase and wider rear flanks of the sleek 8 Series Gran Coupé have allowed for sizable increases in interior space. Front head room increases by 5 mm while rear headroom is up by 86 mm. Rear legroom increases by a substantial 180 mm while rear shoulder room improves by an even greater 195 mm. The trunk gains 20 litres of volume.

The welcoming interior features touches such as leather dashboard and upper door panels, electroplated air vent surrounds and door trim and quilting and decorative stitching on the seating surfaces. The extended center console in the 8 Series Gran Coupé is unique to this model and continues to the rear space, dividing the individually-styled right and left seats while still allowing for the center seat rear section to be used when needed. The rear console offers passengers individual right and left climate controls, air vents, storage tray and USB ports.

The standard heated front Sport seats feature integrated headrests and are designed with a thinner profile to allow for greater rear knee space. All four main seats offer generous levels of lateral support so that the performance capabilities of the 8 Series Gran Coupé can be enjoyed by all passengers. The rear seats can be folded down in a 40:20:40 configuration allowing for any variation of passengers and cargo on both short and long trips.

The standard ambient light feature emphasizes the forward-pointing lines inside the car to striking effect. Indirect illumination of the contour lines running along the center console and the door shoulders using precisely positioned LED optical fibers creates an exclusive mood.

Paints finishes and interior trim

Standard paint finishes on the new 8 Series Gran Coupé include non-metallic Alpine White and metallic finishes in Carbon Black, Black Sapphire, Mineral White, Sonic Speed Blue, Sunset Orange, and Barcelona Blue. 

Optional Individual paint finishes include Dravit Grey Metallic, Tanzanite Blue II Metallic, Aventurin Red Metallic and Frozen Bluestone metallic.

The M850i xDrive Gran Coupé features standard Individual Extended Merino Leather in Black, Ivory White, or Cognac with available two-tone Night Blue/Black, Tartufo/Black and Fiona Red/Black.

Individual Full Merino leather is optional on the M850i xDrive Gran Coupé and includes Black, Cognac, Ivory White/Night Blue, Ivory White/Tartufo, Night Blue/Black, Tartufo/Black and Fiona Red/Black. 

V8 Power and performance

The BMW M850i xDrive Gran Coupé is powered by the latest generation of the BMW TwinPower 4.4-liter eight-cylinder Turbo engine. Power production is rated at 523 hp between 5,500 – 6,000 rpm and 553 lb-ft of torque between 1,800 – 4,600 rpm which allow this model to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds. The M850i xDrive Gran Coupé is electronically limited to a top speed of 250 km/h when equipped with performance tires.

Two twin-scroll turbochargers with charge air cooling, located within the V-shaped space between the cylinder banks, High Precision Injection, VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control and Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing all form part of the M Performance TwinPower Turbo technology, whose extensive overhaul has given a substantial boost to maximum power, torque and efficiency.

The new V8 engine serves up an enthralling soundtrack, which is enhanced by the standard flap-controlled sports exhaust system. It boasts a wonderfully versatile character that can also adapt itself to effortlessly relaxed cruising. The Driving Experience Control switch can be used to activate both extremely sporty and distinctly comfort-oriented powertrain settings. In the SPORT and SPORT+ modes, accelerator response as well as the V8 engine’s power delivery and acoustics – which take on a particularly distinctive note in the SPORT+ setting – are all configured for an exhilarating driving experience.

A new aluminium alloy has been used to increase the strength of the engine block. The wire-arc sprayed iron coating for the cylinder walls serves to reduce frictional losses. Reinforced, Grafal-coated pistons and optimized piston rings are designed to endure the stress on the crank drive that comes with the extra output and torque. To enhance engine smoothness, torsional vibration is minimized with the help of a viscous damper on the crankshaft.

Eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission and xDrive all-wheel drive

The new M850i xDrive Gran Coupé is equipped with the latest improved version of the Sport automatic transmission featuring a weight-reducing design, a newly developed controller and a wider gear ratio spread. The eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission now shifts gear more sharply courtesy of an optimized hydraulics control. A new generation of torsion dampers that reduce rotational forces within the powertrain help improve both driving comfort and shift smoothness. Integral twin-damper systems for isolating vibrations reduce the degree of slip at the torque converter lock-up clutch.

Shift paddles on the steering wheel are included as standard for manual gear selection, while a Launch Control function allows for accelerating from a standing start with maximum available traction.

The eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission’s controller can adapt its shift parameters to the current driving situation through intelligent networking with the standard Navigation system, enabling it to take the planned route into account. Navigation data is used to downshift early, for example, when approaching an intersection in order to use engine braking to slow the car down. Likewise, the intelligent controller is able to avoid unnecessary gear shifts between two corners that follow in quick succession, making it possible to drive through at a quicker pace.

Chassis, Suspension and Steering

The longer and wider platform of the 8 Series Gran Coupé offers great benefits in ride comfort and high speed stability. The front double-wishbone suspension, rear five-link suspension, electromechanical steering and standard Dynamic Damper Control combine to give the driver the ultimate combination of comfort and precise, sport handling. The design principle of the double-wishbone front suspension makes it possible to separate steering and damper functions. As a result, high lateral acceleration forces are possible without compromising ride comfort. The car’s steering remains largely unaffected by disruptive forces caused by irregularities in the road surface. Thanks to bi-elastic bushings, the five-link rear suspension guarantees precise wheel guidance and the highest degree of directional stability. In addition, effective isolation of the powertrain and suspension improves interior acoustic comfort.

Integral Active Steering is also standard on both the M850i xDrive Gran Coupé. Integral Active Steering reduces the car’s turning circle when maneuvering, increases agility at moderate speeds and optimizes stability when changing lanes and cornering at high speeds. The system combines the electromechanical steering of the front wheels (including Servotronic function for speed-sensitive power assistance) and the variable steering ratio in the rear axle steering.

Wheels and Tires

The M850i xDrive Gran Coupé is equipped with standard 20 inch V-spoke wheels with 245/35R20 and 275/30R20 performance non run-flat tires. Non-runflat 20” tires can also be specified.

M Sport brakes are standard on the M850i xDrive Gran Coupé, for maximum stopping power.

Driver Assistance Systems

The 2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé are available with a wide variety of standard and optional driver assistance systems. The systems really come into their own when driving longer distances by relieving the strain on the driver in monotonous situations, such as traffic jams or slow-moving traffic. They enhance comfort and safety both in urban traffic and on longer trips by providing targeted assistance in complex traffic situations. The driver assistance systems process camera images as well as the data gathered by ultrasonic and radar sensors to monitor the vehicle’s surroundings, to warn of potential hazards and to minimise the risk of an accident with corrective braking or steering inputs.

Standard equipment includes Frontal Collision Warning with City Collision Mitigation, Active Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure Warning, Surround View Camera, Parking Assistant, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Speed Limit Information.

The optional Driving Assistance Professional includes Extended Traffic Jam Assistant for limited access highways, Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Extended Frontal Collision Warning & Mitigation with full braking, , Active Blind Spot Protection with steering, Active Lane Keeping Assist with Side Collision Avoidance, Evasion Aid including pedestrians, Junction/Intersection warning and Emergency Stop Assistant.

Standard latest-generation Head-Up Display.

The latest generation of the BMW Head-Up display system features a larger projection area, optimized graphics and additional content. The BMW Head-Up Display projects information directly into the driver’s field of vision where it can be assimilated without any need for them to divert their eyes from the road. This includes details of vehicle speed, speed limits and overtaking restrictions, Check Control messages, status indicators and warnings from the assistance systems, detailed route guidance and turn instructions, as well as telephone and entertainment lists. The displayed information and style can be adjusted via the new M mode button on the center console.

Standard Live Cockpit Professional with iDrive 7

The BMW Live Cockpit Professional in the 2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé  combines the latest-generation of iDrive, featuring a high-resolution digital 31.2 cm (12.3”) instrument cluster display behind the steering wheel and a 26 cm (10.25”) center display diagonally across.

The system offers many hardware upgrades including new haptic controls on the iDrive controller, an advanced tablet-like touch interface, and stunning visualizations. The multi-modal approach of the iDrive touch controller, large touchscreen center display, cloud based voice control, and gesture control allow users to interact in the way of their choosing. 

Elements of the BMW Live Cockpit Professional are the Navigation Professional system,  two USB ports, plus Bluetooth interfaces. The driver can be automatically detected and personal settings activated either using the traditional vehicle key or by downloading the driver’s personal settings the BMW Cloud.

BMW Connected: digital services for individual mobility.

BMW Connected is the companion app for BMW drivers. Intelligent connectivity helps users to reach their destination easily and with minimal stress – and not only from within their car; BMW Connected is an all-embracing concept designed to seamlessly connect the driver and their smartphone with their vehicle.

At the heart of it all is the Open Mobility Cloud, which allows the app to connect the car with the customer’s iPhone and Apple Watch. The BMW Connected app can import appointments and addresses from the customer’s calendar entries straight into the navigation system to begin route guidance. The system calculates the optimum departure time based on real-time traffic information and notifies the driver with a message on their smartphone when it is time to leave. As the vehicle is linked up via the Open Mobility Cloud, it is able to access the calculated route directly when the navigation system starts up.

Standard Equipment

The M850i xDrive Gran Coupécomes with an extensive list of standard equipment including:

·         Active Guard and Active Protection – Automatic seat belt tensioning, automatic closing of windows, fatigue and focus alert, post-crash braking and Frontal Collision Warning with City Collision Mitigation

·         Driving Assistant:  Active Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure Warning, Surround View Camera, Parking Assistant, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Speed Limit Information.

·         Steptronic Sport Automatic Transmission

·         Live Cockpit Professional with iDrive 7 with Apple CarPlay compatibility

·         Remote Engine Start

·         Dynamic Damper Control

·         Integral Active Steering

·         Comfort Access Keyless entry and Soft-close automatic doors

·         Panoramic Moonroof

·         Heated Sport Seats, armrest and steering wheel

·         Extended Merino leather

·         Head-Up display

·         Icon Adaptive LED headlights with BMW Laserlight

·         464 watt, 16-speaker Harman-Kardon surround sound audio system

·         SiriusXM satellite radio with 6-month All Access subscription

·         Wireless Charging and WiFi Hotspot

·         20 inch M V-Spoke Style 728M wheels with performance non run-flat tires

·         M Sport Brakes

·         M Sport Differential

·         Integral Active Steering

·         Adaptive M Suspension

·         M Sport exhaust system

·         Active Roll Stabalization

-30 -