Worth the wait for the latest eight

Full details on new £76,000 BMW 8 Series coupe.

BMW has revealed full details of its 8 Series Coupe.

The high-end sports car replaces the elderly 6 Series, echoing that model’s slippery shape and adding a whole suite of new technology.

The 8 Series starts at £76,270 and if you want the range topping V8 petrol model you need to have just shy of £100,000 available – and that’s without adding any optional extras.

Buyers can choose from a petrol or diesel engine, both of which are paired to xDrive all-wheel drive and an eightspeed semi auto transmission.

The 840d diesel is the base model and is fitted with a 3.0-litre, six-cylinder, twin-turbo diesel engine that develops 316bhp and 680Nm of torque, pushing the car from 0-60mph in 4.7 seconds and on to a limited top speed of 155mph.

The flagship M850i option comes with a twin-turbocharged, 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine, which produces 523bhp and 750Nm of torque. That enables the 8 Series to get from 0-60mph in just 3.5 seconds, though top speed remains limited to 155mph.

As you would expect the diesel offers better economy and emissions – 46.3mpg and 160g/km CO2 – while the petrol is much thirstier at 29.1mpg and 221g/km CO2.

On the safety front the 8 Series comes as standard with cruise control with braking function, collision and pedestrian warning with city braking, a head-up display, parking assistant and active park distance control.

The centrepiece of the cockpit is the 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, while drivers also get the use of the customisable 12.3-inch Live Cockpit Professional display.

There’s a 420-litre boot, which opens automatically with either the touch of a button or using a kicking motion under the rear bumper.

The 8 Series is available to order now, with deliveries starting in the new year.

The 8 Series Coupe costs from £76,270 and comes with a choice of diesel or petrol engines.