BMW 8 Series Coupe: All we know so far

•    The all-new 8 Series Coupe will be revealed tomorrow on the eve of 2018 24 Hours of Le Mans.
•    The 8 Series moniker is resurrected after 19 years by the Bavarian carmaker.
•    The top-spec M850i will have a 522bhp 4.4-litre V8.

BMW discontinued the iconic 850i grand tourer from its line-up in 1999. Now, after an absence of 19 years, the Bavarian carmaker will bring back the 8 Series moniker at the 24 Hours of Le Mans tomorrow with the official reveal of the 8 Series Coupe.

We have spotted the new flagship coupe on many occasions already. Here you can also see a digital rendering of the same based on all the spy shots. Here is everything we know so far about the new 8 Series Coupe.

Design and platform: The 8 Series will be based on BMW’s all-new CLAR architecture. The same platform underpins the new-gen 5 Series, 7 Series, X5 and M5. The platform is lightweight and strong with provision for accomodating different powertrain.
Appearance wise, the Coupe will remain true to the 8 Series Concept showcased at the 2017 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. The production-ready test mule reveals the 8 Series to be the size of the 7 Series with sensuous coupe lines and an aggressive styling.

Powertrain: BMW has confirmed the top-spec 8 Series will be the M850i. The resurrected moniker will be powered by a 4.4-litre V8 producing 522bhp and 700Nm. This is one spec lower than the fully-blown M8 which will follow later. It will have the xDrive all-wheel-drive system as standard along with active rear axle differential lock, the adaptive M suspension with active roll stabilisation and active steering. The grand tourer will come with electronic dampers with stability control in two driving modes

– Sport and Sport+. Transmission duties will be handled by the same eight-speed Steptronic unit offered elsewhere in the BMW family. Apart from the 850i, the lower spec models will get the same powertrain options from the 5 and 7, which would include straight-six petrol and diesel engines.

Position: The 8 Series replaces the 6 Series in the BMW line-up. The 8 designation of the Coupe will become the flagship vehicle in carmaker’s portfolio just like the Z8 before or the current i8. The 8 Coupe will spearhead the 8 Series family with a convertible, a Gran Coupe and the M8 series to follow in coming years.