New 8 Series Targets S-Class Coupé

BMW unveils spectacular new coupé that will head up an army of 11 new models from the company due on sale by the end of next year

- Jonathan Burn

BMW is in the midst of its most aggressive product expansion ever, and the company used last weekend’s exclusive Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy to unveil its new Concept 8 Series.

A close-to-production design study, the Concept 8 Series will morph into a showroom model next year. Following in its footsteps will be a broadening of the line-up to include cars such as an 8 Series Convertible and a four-door Gran Coupé. The arrival of the 8 Series is a direct result of BMW repositioning the current 6 Series Coupé so that it has a genuine competitor for the Mercedes S-Class Coupé in the luxury car sector.

While the concept was showcased on the shores of Lake Como in Italy, 436 miles north at the Nürburgring 24 Hours race in Germany, BMW also rolled out a disguised M8 prototype (opposite) that will sit at the top of the 8 Series line-up. The Mercedes- AMG S 63 rival will feature the same 600bhp-plus 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine and four-wheel-drive set-up that has been confirmed for the new M5 saloon.