Too sane
THE NUMBER EIGHT is only applied to the posher, pricier, quirkier realms of BMW’s portfolio – Z8, i8, the original ’89-’96 8-series coupe. Now it’s back.
We got to grips with a pre-production car in the USA for our October cover story, but the reincarnated 8-series is now officially go for launch in Europe, as both an 840d (3.0 straight-six turbodiesel) and the M850i (twin-turbo 4.4 V8 petrol) tested here.
It will be available in three shapes: two-door coupe, convertible and fourdoor Gran Coupe. All-out M8 variants will be along next year.
Power flows primarily to the rear wheels, the fronts being called into play when necessary. Combined with some chassis tricksiness, including standard electronically controlled dampers, rear e-diff, four-wheel steering and optional active anti-roll bars, the result is a car that moves quicker, stops better and handles more nimbly than an object approaching 1.9 tonnes has any right to.
With all of the tech primed for battle in Sport and Sport+ modes, the M850i is a grippy, responsive car with a neutral balance erring towards safe, friendly oversteer. And with its neck wound in for Comfort mode it’s a waftomatic cruiser.
Thing is, the overall mix errs far more towards refined, easy-going luxury than sporting GT. Which is fine, but BMW describes the 8-series as a sports car, and it carries a serious price tag: £76k for the 840d and £100k for the M850i, before options. For me there’s not quite enough drama, enough involvement, enough sense of occasion in return. Regardless, the days of big coupes with big engines are numbered, and this is one of the breed’s most talented exponents. JAMES TAYLOR
BMW M850i
> Price £100,045
> Engine 4395cc 32v twin-turbo V8, 523bhp @ 5500rpm, 553lb ft @ 1800rpm
> Transmission 8-speed auto, rear e-di, allwheel drive
> Performance 3.7sec 062mph, 155mph, 29.1mpg, 221g/km CO2
> Weight 1890kg
> On sale December
VERDICT
Impressive, but perhaps a bit too sensible for its own good