BMW’s

svelte, sporty new two-door 8 Series coupe was unveiled at the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance epic as a racing version took to the track. It is on sale now from £76,000 with first deliveries in September.

Available at launch is the M850i with a 4.4-litre petrol engine developing 530bhp costing £100,045, and a more frugal 840d 3-litre six cylinder 320bhp diesel from £76,270.

A more extreme tuned M8 version, from BMW’s ‘M’ Motorsport division, with more than 625 bhp will follow next year from about £130,000.

Capable of accelerating from rest to 62 mph in just 3.7 seconds up to an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph, it is being billed as BMW’s fastest and most powerful production car ever.

The new 8 Series coupe is one of three planned body styles, with a convertible and four-door Gran Coupe also expected next year, reviving the 8 Series name which was last used in 1999.