Start of production for new BMW 8 Series Coupé at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing

Dingolfing. At the start of this week, BMW Group Plant Dingolfing began series production of the new BMW 8 Series Coupé, the sportscar that will launch the BMW model offensive in the luxury segment. An amount in the low three-digit-million euro range has been invested in the site in Lower Bavaria in preparation for the new model series. A large number of digital innovations have also been integrated into the production process, including self-driving transport systems and smart devices.

Dr. Andreas Wendt, head of BMW Group Plant Dingolfing: “As the plant that builds the BMW 7 Series sedans, BMW Group Plant Dingolfing has outstanding expertise in producing vehicles for the luxury segment. We are optimally prepared for production of the new BMW 8 Series Coupé. I am sure our customers around the world will love this luxury sportscar.”

Stefan Schmid, chairman of the Works Council at the Dingolfing location: “I am proud that we will be producing the new BMW 8 Series Coupé at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing. It will consolidate our position as a centre of competence for the luxury class and secure our site’s future.”

Smart material mix and flexible production structures

Intelligent lightweight construction, with a clever mix of materials, including steel, plastic, aluminium and carbon fibre, is used in the body of the new sportscar. In addition to the supporting structures at the front and rear of the vehicle, other components, such as the roof, doors, bonnet and the front firewall of the all-new BMW 8 Series Coupé, are made of aluminium.                               

For the first time in a series-production BMW model, the roof is available in carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) – which is also manufactured at the Dingolfing location in an innovative wet-pressing process.

Thanks to the BMW production system’s high level of flexibility, it was largely possible to integrate the new BMW 8 Series Coupé into existing production structures. The luxury sportscar, which will roll off the assembly line alongside BMW 5 Series and 7 Series models, relies on tried and tested manufacturing processes.

Innovations in the production process

In parallel with ramp-up of the new BMW 8 Series Coupé, digitalisation of logistics and production processes in Dingolfing continues apace. For example, in door assembly, parts are delivered to the line by autonomous tugger trains; on the finish line, collaborative robots measure gaps and misalignments.

BMW Group Plant Dingolfing increasingly makes use of wearables. These mobile computer technologies worn on the body support staff with their tasks. In addition to the ProGlove smart glove scanner, a so-called “exotics alarm”, for example, will use the vibrating alarm of a smartwatch to alert staff when a car with non-standard equipment options is coming up and requires special attention.

Virtual reality glasses have also been used for the first time in training assembly staff: Specific assembly processes for the new BMW 8 Series Coupé were videoed and viewed by employees through VR glasses. This enabled them to familiarise themselves with the new model and the correct fitment process before production ramped up.

Two engine variants available from launch

Two engine choices will be available when the new BMW 8 Series Coupé goes on sale in November 2018. The V8 engine in the BMW M850i xDrive Coupé (combined fuel consumption: 10.5 – 10.0 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 240 – 228 g/km)* delivers impressive power: The latest generation of the 4.4-litre eight-cylinder engine has been completely redeveloped to deliver a performance topping out at 530 hp and a torque of 750 Nm.

The BMW 840d xDrive Coupé relies on a diesel engine (combined fuel consumption: 6.2 – 5.9 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 164 – 154 g/km)* unlike anything else in the competitive environment to deliver superior traction and low fuel consumption. The 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder diesel power unit generates a maximum output of 320 hp and a maximum torque of 680 Nm.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Birgit Hiller, BMW Group Plant Dingolfing, Head of Communications

Telefon: +49 8731 7622020, E-Mail: Birgit.Hiller@bmw.de

Thomas Niedermeier, BMW Group Plant Dingolfing, Communications

Telefon: +49 8731 76 27666 ,E-Mail: Thomas.Niedermeier@bmwgroup.com

Media website: www.press.bmwgroup.com, www.bmw-plant-dingolfing.com

E-mail: presse@bmw.de

The BMW Group Plant Dingolfing

Plant Dingolfing is one of the BMW Group’s 30 global production sites. At Plant 02.40, about 1,600 cars of the BMW 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 Series roll off the assembly lines every day. In total, the plant manufactured more than 376,000 cars in 2017. At present, a total of approx. 18,000 people and 800 apprentices work at the BMW Group’s site in Dingolfing.

In addition to the automotive core production, BMW Group Plant Dingolfing is also home to production facilities for vehicle components such as pressed parts, seats as well as chassis and drive components. Due to the plant’s aluminium expertise in vehicle construction and longstanding experience in producing alternative drives, BMW Group Plant Dingolfing furthermore provides crucial components for the BMW i models – such as high-voltage battery, e-transmission and the drive structure – to the production site in Leipzig. In addition, Dingolfing produces both high voltage batteries and electric engines for the BMW Group’s plug-in hybrid models.

The car bodies for all Rolls-Royce models are also manufactured at the site. The Dynamics Centre, a large storage and transshipment facility, provides the global BMW and MINI dealership organization with original parts and equipment.

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises 30 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2017, the BMW Group sold over 2,463,500 passenger vehicles and more than 164,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2017 was € 10.655 billion on revenues amounting to € 98.678 billion. As of 31 December 2017, the BMW Group had a workforce of 129,932 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.

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