India-bound BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe breaks cover

-    Based on the 8 Series Coupe, the all-new Gran Coupe is a successor to the 6 Series Gran Coupe.

-    Available with the same engine configuration as the Coupe. 

-    Expected to arrive in India sometime next year. 

After the 8 Series Coupe and 8 Series Convertible, BMW has now taken the wraps off the all-new 8 Series Gran Coupe. The spiritual successor to the 6 Series Gran Coupe, the 8 Gran Coupe is as good looking as the coupe which it is based on, but with additional two doors. 

Appearance wise, there isn’t much to differentiate the Coupe from the Gran Coupe. All the elements such as headlights/taillights, air vents, diffusers, and body creases are identical in both. But look behind the B-pillar and the Gran Coupe’s widened rear haunches make themselves apparent. This is because the rear track has been increased by 30mm to accommodate the full-size seats at the back over and the overall length is up by 231mm over the Coupe. The sloping roofline of the 8 Coupe adds additional drama to the 8 GC whereas the muscular rear fenders add to the sporty appeal. 

On the inside, things remain identical to the 8 Series Coupe and Convertible. But the two new rear seats are finished in the same contours and stitching as the front seats. They get integrated headrest, 40:20:40 foldable backrest, optional four-zone climate control, and increased leg room. But BMW says that ‘the third rear seat is suitable for use on short journeys only’. 

Powering the 8 Series Gran Coupe is the same set of engine options as the 8 Coupe and Convertible. So there is the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 in the M850i guise making 530bhp and 750Nm, sending power to xDrive all-wheel-drive system. The 840i and 840i xDrive gets a straight-six turbo-petrol with 340bhp and 500Nm. The oil-burner is the 840d which produces 320bhp and 640Nm. The eight-speed Steptronic transmission comes as standard. Meanwhile, the fully-blown M8 Gran Coupe is expected to join the line-up in the months to come. 

Similar to the 6 Series Gran Coupe, the new 8 Series Gran Coupe will also make its way to India. It is expected to be launched sometime next year following the model offensive that the Bavarian carmaker has planned for India. The 8 GC will lock horns with the likes of Porsche Panamera, Mercedes-AMG 4-Door Coupe and the upcoming Audi RS7.