BMW Launches The 8 - A New 8 Series After a Long Absence with the M850i xDrive as the Sole Variant Offered in Malaysia

Yesterday I attended BMW Group Malaysia's launch of The 8. This, like The 7, is not like a 3, 5, or even an X5, is the flagship coupe in BMW's premium vehicle lineup.  The 8, in this 850i form, is fitted with a 4.4 liter V8 engine coupled to the BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive system and BMW Efficient Lightweight design measures. According to BMW, this New 8 series, the second after many, many years, is BMW's entry once again into the full-sized grand touring, sports coupe segment.

As stated above, The 8 is introduced for the Malaysia market is the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe variant. According to BMW, the new luxury coupe features outstanding performance, emotion-stirring design, state-of-the-art luxury, exceptionally advanced equipment features when it comes to display and control technology, driver assistance and connectivity. Of course, you cannot expect anything less from a premium luxury coupe. 

BMW says that The 8 features an evolution on the styling language. Key elements in this new design is clarity, modernity and emotional engagement. The car features a low-slung design, an elongated silhouette with a slim window graphic and a roofline flowing elegantly into the rear with distinctive ‘double-bubble’ contouring, a long wheelbase and wide track widths are the defining visual elements of The 8’s proportions. In terms of being a traditionally styled BMW, it does have all the visual cues, from a slim looking glasshouse with the Hoffmeister kink at the C-pillar and a nicely flat, low slung body. 

While it does look a tad bit bulky from some angles, it does look its part as a flagship coupe in the luxury segment from the outside. The new large grille design is actually suitable to show to others that you've made it in life. It does stand out a little more than previous BMW models. Sometimes, especially here in Asia, being a little bit loud goes a long way in terms of the portrayal of luxury.

The M850i xDrive variant which you see here is equipped with BMW's latest 4.4 liter twin turbocharged V8 engine. In M Performance form, it delivers  530hp between 5,500 – 6,000 rpm. The maximum torque of 750Nm  from 1,800 to 4,600 rpm. 0-100kmh is in 3.7 seconds and BMW says it posts a fuel consumption of 10.4 litres per 100 kilometres. Good numbers for a full sized coupe.

Since it is a V8, it sounds quite awesome, but still liveable as it features a flap-controlled sports exhaust system. We've heard the car on start-up and it does sound nice. Being a V8, it is actually more than nice. Of course, the only thing about 4.4liter V8s fitted in flagship coupes is the price tag. BMW is asking RM1,088 million for it.

So if you are interested in one, The 8 is offered in the following colours - Carbon Black metallic, Black Sapphire metallic, Sonic Speed Blue metallic, Barcelona Blue metallic, Sunset Orange metallic and Mineral White. The exterior paint is matched with Black, Cognac or Ivory White BMW Individual Merino full leather trim sports seat for the interior.

At the launch, Mr. Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia was quoted saying, “At the BMW Group, we’ve always had our sights on the future, and the First Generation BMW 8 Series is testimony to that. First introduced in 1989, the luxurious sports coupe was bold and ahead of its time in terms of performance, innovation and luxury."

"It was the first BMW vehicle to introduce electronic drive-by-wire throttle, Dynamic Stability Control and Integral Active Steering with the use of multi-link rear axle technology. Three decades on, we have taken the future-looking legacy of the BMW 8 Series and we are bringing this luxurious sports coupe into the modern era to set standards for the future.” he added. 

Yes, there was a first generation 8 series on display. A modern classic and one of the best designed BMWs ever made. Think it appeals to me more than The 8 actually.  

Anyway, The 8 will be available at all authorised BMW dealerships nationwide from Friday, 15 th March 2019. You can also head over to www.bmwbethefirst.com.my to pre-book.

The 8 - Design brief  Specification and Equipment - 

A new design language for sporting appeal.

Everything about The 8’s appearance convey pure dynamism and turns the luxury

coupe into a sports car brimming with passion and character. Onlookers will be greeted

by the trademark hexagonal kidney grille with its elements framed by a single-piece

surround. The 8 comes standard with the BMW Laserlight – the slimmest headlights of

any BMW model to date.

The side view is dominated by a dramatic interplay of surfaces using sleek character

lines to trace the flow of the air exiting the Air Breathers. Whilst the surfaces curve

inwards of the far side of the front wheels, they flare outwards again above the rear

wheels. This combines with the strikingly tapered glasshouse to create a muscular

shoulder line. At the rear, the interplay of horizontal and diagonal lines emphasises the

car’s width and low centre of gravity. The LED taillights add to this effect by extending

deep into the flanks. Twin exhaust tailpipes with a trapezoidal contour are positioned on

either side of the rear apron’s lower section.

The BMW M performance model is instantly recognisable by its exclusive exterior

appointments in Cerium Grey, an M rear spoiler and illuminated door sills bearing the

model name. It comes standard with an additional front spoiler to minimise the lift that

occurs at the front axle at high speeds.

The 8 comes with exceptionally powerful 19” M Sport brakes along with blue painted M

callipers. The standard specification for the BMW M850i xDrive coupe also includes 20”

M light-alloy wheels in y-spoke style 728 M with mixed tyres. Specifically with the choice

of the Sunset Orange exterior colour offering, the option for wheels in the Style 728 M in

Jet Black are available.

BMW’s trademark Hofmeister kink has also been updated to a tightly-angled version.

Carried over from the concept car, The 8 features the ‘double-bubble’ which mimics the

rush of air rearwards along the roof at high speeds. To reduce the aerodynamic drag of

The 8’s streamlined body, it has an almost fully sealed underbody, active air flap control

with adjustable kidney grille slats and Air Curtains including Air Breathers.

The modern and minimalistic exterior design language is continued inside the new BMW

8 Series Coupe, creating a relaxingly luxurious ambience. All lines point lengthways,

automatically directing the gaze to the front and emphasising the focus on sporty

driving. All control elements are clearly arranged. A concise surface design lets the high-

quality materials really stand out. The use of trim finishers, for instance, is restricted to

the sports car-style transition between the centre console and the instrument panel.

In addition to multifunction seats and the M leather steering wheel, the M Sport package

include an anthracite BMW Individual headliner, M pedals, M driver’s footrest and

special floor mats to inject the cabin with distinctly sporty flair.

The newly developed sports seats are upholstered as standard in Merino leather. The

fulled leather trim for the door shoulders and instrument panel is also standard. Thanks

to the low seating position of both rear seats, it has been possible to design the head

restraints as an integral part of the backrests. The rear backrest can be split 50:50 as

standard and folded down to increase the capacity of the 420-litre luggage

compartment.

For the first time ever, active seat ventilation is also made available where the cooled air

is sucked in from the interior then guided along the body to the seats’ built-in fans for

particularly effective temperature control of the seat cushions and backrests.

Formidable power generates supreme dynamic performance.

The introduction of the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe also marks the premiere of a new V8

engine. The latest generation of the 4.4-litre eight-cylinder unit has been radically

revised and optimised. Two twin-scroll turbochargers with charge air cooling located

within the V-shaped space between the cylinder banks, High Precision Injection,

VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control and Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing

all form part of the BMW M Performance TwinPower Turbo technology which generates

a top speed of 250 km/h.

The BMW M850i xDrive Coupe delivers a maximum output of 390kW/530hp which is on

tap between 5,500 – 6,000 rpm. The maximum torque of 750Nm is available over a wide

rev range from 1,800 to 4,600 rpm for prolonged forward thrust. It can do the century

sprint in merely 3.7 seconds and posts a fuel consumption of 10.4 litres per 100

kilometres.

The V8 engine is paired with the latest-generation 8-speed Steptronic Sports

Transmission whose increased ratio spread, new transmission management and

optimised hydraulic control produce sportier gear shifts while also enhancing its

efficiency and smoothness. Shift paddles on the steering wheel are included as

standard for manual gear selection.

Likewise, the BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system operates more efficiently

than ever before. With its rapid, precise and fully variable distribution of torque between

the front and rear wheels, it maximises traction and handles stability even in highly

dynamic driving situations. At the same time, the rear-biased set-up guarantees a

driving experience for which BMW sports cars are renowned for. The electronically

controlled rear differential lock fitted as standard on the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe gives

the car an even sportier edge. The locking effect generated by an electric motor limits

speed compensation between the inside and outside rear wheel when cornering,

making it possible to power out of bends with eye-catching dynamic verve.

Honed on the race track.

The construction principle and tuning of The 8’s chassis are designed to harness the

dynamic potential of its powertrain technology, and make best use of the car’s

underlying concept to achieve maximum sports performance. Optimised weight, a low

centre of gravity, well-balanced axle load distribution, ideal wheelbase length and a wide

track, plus a rigid body structure and favourable aerodynamic properties provide all the

right ingredients to this end.

All standard light-alloy wheels are fitted with mixed-size tyres, whose traction-enhancing

effect was factored into the tuning of the chassis. The suspension technology developed

for The 8 consists of a double-wishbone front axle and a shear panel fitted to the five-

link rear axle which optimise stiffness and the chassis components’ connection to the

body. The maximised camber settings on both axles, meanwhile, increase power

transfer potential at high cornering speeds.

In addition to the Adaptive M Suspension, The 8 also comes standard with Integral

Active Steering which reduces the car’s turning circle when manoeuvring, increases

agility at moderate speeds and optimises poise and assurance when changing lanes

and cornering at high speeds.

Unique innovations for comfort and safety.

The 8 is an extremely advanced model within its segment. Not only does it come with

active cruise control with Stop & Go Function, it also offers Driving Assistant

Professional as a standard. The driver assistance includes Lane Departure Warning,

Lane Change Warning, Pedestrian Collision Warning, Crossing Traffic Warning (front

and rear), Emergency Stop Assistant, steering and lane control assistant, Lane Keeping

Assistant with active side collision protection and Evasion Aid which now reacts to

pedestrians.

The BMW Live Cockpit Professional comes as standard in The 8. The latest-generation

display and control concept consists of a high-resolution instrument cluster behind the

steering wheel with a screen diagonal of 12.3” as well as a 10.25” Control Display which

run on the new BMW Operating System 7.0. Further components of the BMW Live

Cockpit Professional include an adaptive navigation system, a hard-drive based

multimedia system with 20GB of memory, two USB ports, Bluetooth and WiFi interfaces.

Drivers can benefit from the car’s intelligent connectivity capabilities thanks to its built-in

SIM card and the unlimited data volume, which allow them to use Intelligent Emergency

Call to automatically summon swift assistance in an emergency and receive regular

updates for the navigation system’s maps. Other services include Concierge Service

and Remote Services.

Making its debut in The 8 is the perfect co-driver – BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant,

an intelligent, digital character that responds to the prompt “Hey BMW”. The BMW

Intelligent Personal Assistant learns routines and habits, and is subsequently able to

apply them in the appropriate context. In addition to ensuring there is always a genuine

BMW professional on board, capable of explaining the different functions, the assistant

awaits the driver’s every command, is always there to assist them and even provides

casual conversation. One unique feature over other digital assistant is that drivers can

give it a name, for example, “Hey Jamie”, to lend even greater individuality and

personality.

The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant will benefit from constant technical upgrades

and be able to learn more preferences and favoured settings. Based on the driver’s

favourite settings, it can even activate a combination of them to enhance well-being. For

instance, “Hey BMW, I feel tired” triggers a vitality programme that adjusts the lighting

mood, music and temperature, among other things, in order to make the driver feel more

awake.

Also for the first time, The 8 features the BMW Digital Key. The Digital Key employs

Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to allow the new luxury sports car to be

locked and unlocked from a smartphone. The smartphone simply has to be held up to

the door handle to open the door. Once inside, the engine can be started as soon as the

phone has been placed in the Wireless Charging or smartphone tray. Via the BMW

Connected App, the Digital Key enables the driver to share the key with up to five

people.

Dynamic financial programme.

With the Balloon Financing Plan from BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia, the

BMW M850i xDrive Coupe can be owned with monthly instalment plans starting from

RM 12,418.00 (based on estimates of an 80% loan on a five-year tenure).

Complete premium ownership experience.

Owners of The 8 can also experience the complete BMW Group Malaysia Premium

Ownership experience which includes:

 BMW 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service

Program

 BMW 2-Year/ 24 Month Tyre Warranty Program for its Run Flat Tyre

offering and services

 BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline

 The BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App - BMW White Card

 BMW Service Online

The retail price (on the road, without insurance, and with BMW Group Malaysia’s

latest 5 Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty, Free Scheduled Service Programme

and BMW Tyre Warranty Programme) for The 8 is:

The BMW M850i xDrive Coupe – RM 1,088,800.00