BMW's 8 Series Gran Coupe is both a stylised saloon and a coupe with a little extra versatility. There's nothing quite like it. Jonathan Crouch reports on the revised version.

Ten Second Review

BMW may not have invented the idea of a premium four-door executive coupe but it could certainly be argued that they perfected it with this car, the 8 Series Gran Coupe, here subtly updated. Elegant, beautifully finished and impressively efficient, it's a desirable choice if you need something dynamically luxurious with four seats but have out-grown a full-sized Executive saloon and don't want anything limo-like.

Background

So you want a luxury saloon. The thing is though, you don't want a boring one. One day perhaps, the time might be right for you to get something like a BMW 7 Series, a Mercedes S-Class or an Audi A8. For now though, you'd like something just as smart and luxurious but more individual and dynamic. Something, perhaps, like this, BMW's 8 Series Gran Coupe. This Gran Coupe is a lengthened four-door version of BMW's more conventional two-door 8 Series Coupe and was first announced back in 2012 badged as a '6 Series Gran Coupe' to plug an important gap in the Munich maker's luxury line-up. Buyers who'd out-grown the brand's 5 Series Executive saloon and didn't want to go on into something limo-like were being lost to a new breed of more style-conscious Luxury segment models - cars like Mercedes' CLS-Class, Audi's A7 Sportback and Porsche's Panamera. Targeting these people was still the brief for this four-door 8 Series model when it first arrived in 2019, then was subtly updated early in 2022. How effectively has this car's brief been executed? Let's find out.

Driving Experience

Three 8 Series Gran Coupe engines are now on offer, the range kicking off with the 333hp 840i petrol version, the only one featuring rear wheel drive. The other two 'M' variants both feature xDrive 4WD as standard. There's an M850i derivative, which uses a 530hp version of the 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V8 from the brand's old M5 super saloon. An M Sport exhaust delivers a snarly soundtrack, there's 750Nm of torque and 62mph from rest takes just 3.7s. If that's somehow not fast enough, you'll want to talk to your dealer about the even quicker M8 Competition model, which has the same 4.4-litre petrol V8 tuned up to 625hp, in which form it delivers 750Nm of torque. That flagship variant is capable of 62mph from rest in just 3.2s. The old 840d xDrive diesel variant is no longer offered. Across the range, there are the usual 'Driving Experience Control' modes - 'Eco', 'Comfort', 'Sport' and 'Sport+'. For a more focussed and sporty handling, Integral Active Steering is fitted as standard to reduce the turning circle when manoeuvring. This also increases agility at moderate speeds and optimises poise and assurance when changing lanes and cornering at high speeds. It becomes more direct as the speed builds but allows the driver to manoeuvre at low speeds with minimal steering wheel movement. Optional active roll stabilisation further enhances the handling characteristics. Electric swivel motors on the front and rear axles ensure particularly fast and precise compensation of lateral forces.

Design and Build

This updated 8 Series Gran Coupe now gets BMW's M Sport styling pack as standard, which gives the car a meaner look, with a more heavily structured front bumper and rear diffuser, as well as revised 19-inch wheels and upgraded brakes with blue calipers. Across the range, it's also now possible to order an illuminated front grille. The M850i model gets a unique front splitter and M8-style for the exterior mirrors, the rear spoiler and the diffuser. The M8 itself has redesigned 20-inch wheels. As before, the style of this 8 Series Gran Coupe is very similar to that of its Coupe and Convertible showroom stablemates, but it has a wheelbase that's 201mm longer in order to incorporate a couple of extra rear doors. Unlike obvious segment 'Grand Turismo'-style rivals like the Porsche Panamera and the Audi A7 Sportback (but like its closest competitor the Mercedes CLS), this BMW has a traditional notchback boot rather than a hatchback. And inside? Well the key change with this facelifted model is an upgrade in the size of the central infotainment screen - from 10.25 to 12.3-inches. And the six cylinder model gets multi-contour seats as standard. Otherwise, things are the same as before. As in other 8 Series models, the interior is awash with high-precision details and features a driver-centric cockpit and low-set sports seats featuring integral head restraints and trimmed in soft Merino leather. Despite the coupe-style pretensions here, this is a proper four-seater; there's certainly adequate head and legroom in the rear, even for loftier adults. The boot meanwhile (which has a high lip) is big enough for a quartet of adults too, being 440-litres in size (90-litres less than you'd get in a 5 Series saloon if you're wondering). Larger objects like skis can be dealt with by a through-loading hatch. If you need more room, then releasing a pair of neat boot sidewall catches flattens the rear seatbacks, a standard feature that can free up considerably more cargo space.

Market and Model

Prices start at around £81,500 for the 840i Gran Coupe. The M850i xDrive version is around £113,000. The M8 Competition xDrive model will set you back around £138,000. Across the range, equipment highlights include Merino leather upholstery, a Head-up display, Active Park Distance Control and the BMW 'Live Cockpit Professional' infotainment set-up, which includes a 12.3 inch instrument binnacle display screen and a 12.3-inch centre-dash monitor. Via this, you'll have access to an adaptive nav system, a hard-drive-based multimedia system with 20GB, two USB ports, plus Bluetooth and WiFi interfaces. A key new option is the illuminated front grille, offered with an 'Iconic Glow' package, which gives you an illuminated surround and waterfall lighting for each of the grille elements. You can also order optional M emblems in blue, purple and red in place of the traditional blue and white BMW roundel. Plus as before, there's plenty of cutting-edge camera-driven safety kit and autonomous driving tech. The driver assistance systems process camera images as well as data gathered by ultrasonic and radar sensors to monitor the vehicle's surroundings, to warn of potential hazards and to minimise the risk of an accident with corrective braking or steering inputs. The car is equipped as standard with Cruise Control with braking function, as well as Collision and Pedestrian Warning with City Braking, the latest version of which also alerts the driver when a cyclist is detected. Depending on the situation, the system can bring the vehicle to a halt to either avoid a collision or minimise its consequences.

Cost of Ownership

Just because you're spending over £80,000 on a luxury car of this kind, it doesn't mean you'll be paying through the nose to keep it on the road. Even the M850i xDrive with its turbocharged petrol V8 is capable of 24.6mpg and CO2 emissions of 246g/km. The 840i sDrive enhances that to 33.2mpg and 186g/km. For the M8 Competition xDrive, it's 25.2mpg and 256g/km. Routine maintenance is dictated by 'Condition Based Servicing' that monitors oil level and engine wear, taking into account how long it's been and how far the car has travelled since its previous garage visit. To help plan ahead for the cost of regular work, at point of purchase you'll be offered a 'BMW Service Inclusive' package that lasts for three years and 36,000 miles. With this, after a one-off payment, you'll have the peace of mind of knowing that all normal work on the car has been paid for during this period, including items such as oil, spark plugs and filters. On to the warranty package. BMW offers a warranty that lasts for three years, no matter how many miles you complete. You can also insure your car through BMW, though as most 8s will be funded with company money through a lease deal, this brokerage fees are likely to be bundled into that.

Summary

Of all the motivations you might have for spending serious money on a full-sized luxury car, perhaps the most important is the need for it to make you feel special. And that's exactly how you'll feel with one of these in your driveway. It's what sets this executive four-door coupe apart from the kind of BMW 7 Series saloon you could have for much the same sort of money. And it's also what makes this a rarer, more exclusive choice than a rival Mercedes CLS or Audi A7 and a more beautifully resolved design than the only other two really direct alternatives, Porsche's Panamera and Maserati's Quattroporte. True, you do still need to spend plenty on the options list to create the 'ultimate driving machine' the Munich maker's ads promise. Do this though and you'll get yourself a car with dynamic capability no rival can match. So, in summary, is this the best luxury model BMW makes right now? There are some who would say so. And the best four-door premium coupe? Yes, that as well.

Body Glass

Heated windscreen washer jets

Climate comfort windscreen

Sun protection glass

Thermally insulated windscreen

Heat protection, sun protection glazing

Front electric windows

Automatic windscreen wipers and automatic headlight

Rain sensor and automatic driving lights control

Heated rear window, glass

Brakes

Anti-lock Brake System and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution

DSC - Dynamic Stability Control

Cornering brake control (CBC)

Dynamic brake control

Dynamic Traction Control - DTC

Hill start assist

Integrated brake system

Electromechanical parking brake with automatic drive away release and auto hold function

Brake assist

19" M Sport brake in black high gloss with black calipers M designation

Brake discs, compound structure

Chassis/Suspension

Adaptive M suspension

Double wishbone front axle

Dynamic Damper Control

Communication

Wi-Fi hotspot

Bluetooth hands free facility with USB audio interface, voice control and enhanced bluetooth + Wireless charging

Driver Aids

Servotronic system

Speed limiter

Parking Assistant Plus with 360 degree surround view camera

Remote view 3D

Drive experience control with Sport, Comfort, Eco Pro and Adaptive modes

Driver Convenience

Electric bootlid

Automatic tailgate operation, remote opening with key, closing by tailgate button or remote control including tailgate in LED technology

Driver Information

Check control system

On board computer

Service interval indicator

Head up Display

Outside temperature display

Run flat indicator

BMW Teleservices

Oil sensor for level and grade

BMW legal emergency call

Condition based service

Brake pad wear indicator

Instrument and upper door panel in walknappa leather

BMW Drive recorder

Integrated owners handbook

BMW ConnectedDrive online services

iDrive controller with shortcut buttons

Light on warning

Driving Mirrors

Frameless interior mirror

Exterior mirrors - Floating design mirror,exterior mirror housing upper in vehicle colour,electric adjust/heated,aspherical,electric fold in function

Engine

Sport exhaust system

Petrol Particulate Filter

Entertainment

DAB Digital radio

Favourite buttons

TV Receiver function including reception of digital TV station

Bowers and Wilkins diamond surround sound system

Exterior Body Features

Illuminated door handles

Front and rear bumper system with replaceable deformation elements

BMW Individual high-gloss shadow line with extended contents

Carbon core

sDrive designation on left tailgate

Rear side wing doors

Rear boot

Front ornamental grille with kidney grille bars

M lights shadow line

Exhaust tailpipes with chrome finishers,radiator grille frame,air breather inlay,black chrome tailpipe trims,radiator grille struts in black highgloss

Illuminated radiator grille iconic glow

Model logo on right tailgate in chrome

Exterior Lights

High beam assistant

Dynamic brake lights

LED rear lights

BMW Laserlights

Welcome lights in interior and door handle area

Follow me home headlight function

Third LED technology brake light in rear window

Daytime driving lights front and rear active

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

4 zone control automatic air conditioning

Microfilter and active carbon filter

Interior Features

Front door pockets

Soft close doors

CraftedClarity glass application for interior elements

Lockable glove compartment with light

Electric rear windscreen and rear side window sunblinds

2 cup holders in front

Steering column with adjustable height and length and activation via control on the steering column

BMW ID

Lashing eyelets

Through loading function

3 spoke M sport leather multifunction steering wheel with shift paddle

1 x 12V power socket in front centre console

Storage compartment under front centre armrest with light, 1 x 12V power socket and USB

Interior Lights

Front reading lights

Front entry lights doors

Interior lighting - Interior light front centre above interior mirror,luggage compartment light,automatic interior light system soft on/soft off

Ambient light with dynamic interior light

Packs

M Carbon exterior package without carbon blade - 8 Series

Connected professional pack - 8 Series

Front heat comfort pack - 8 Series

M sport exterior styling aerodynamics pack - 8 Series

BMW Live cockpit professional pack - 8 Series

Exterior items pack - 8 Series/Ultimate

Safety

Side impact protection

Warning triangle and first aid kit

Child locks on rear doors

3x3 point rear seatbelts

M sport seatbelt

Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS)

Active protection

Crash sensor activating central locking release, hazard warning lights, fuel cut off, interior lighting, safety battery terminal clamp and airbags

Front three point with pyrotechnical belt latch tensioner seat belts, belt force limiter and belt stopper

Rear three point with pyrotechnical belt latch tensioner seat belts and belt force limiter

Airbags - Driver and front passenger airbag with seat occupancy detection, knee, side and front passenger seat airbag deactivation

Head airbags for 1st and 2nd seat row

ISOFIX child seat mounting for the two outer rear seats

Seats

50/50 split folding rear seat

2 rear head restraints

5 seats

Front and rear seat heating

Front seat ventilation

Security

Locking wheel bolts

Centre lock switch

Comfort access system

Keyless entry with start/stop button

Closing system with central locking

Alarm system (Thatcham 1) with electronic engine immobiliser

Vehicle key with exclusive M designation

Transmission

M Sport differential

Eight speed sport automatic transmission

Vanity Mirrors

Front sun visors with ticket holder and illuminated mirror

Emissions - ICE

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High: 169

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

Noise Level dB(A): 67

HC+NOx: N

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low: 284

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium: 199

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High: 184

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 196

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 196

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 194

Engine and Drive Train

Fuel Delivery: TWIN TURBO

Catalytic Convertor: No

Cylinders: 6

Engine Layout: NORTH SOUTH

Compression Ratio: 11.0:1

Camshaft: DOHC

Number of Valves: 24

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Gears: 8 SPEED

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Engine Code: B58B30M1

CC: 2998

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 94.6

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 82

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 32.8

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 33.2

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 32.8

WLTP - MPG - Low: 22.8

WLTP - MPG - Medium: 32.5

WLTP - MPG - High: 38.2

WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 34.9

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 8.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 8.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 8.6

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 8.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 7.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 8.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 12.4

General

Special Edition: 0

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

Coin Series: M Sport[Ultimate Pk]

Coin Description: i

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Badge Engine CC: 3.0

Badge Power: 333

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N

NCAP Safety Assist %: N

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 45E

Based On ID: N

Special Order: 0

Generation Mark: 2

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 999999

Performance

Top Speed: 155

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 245

Engine Power - PS: No

Engine Torque - MKG: 51

0 to 62 mph (secs): 5.4

Engine Torque - RPM: 1700

Engine Torque - NM: 500

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 369

Engine Power - BHP: 333

Engine Power - RPM: 5500

Test Cycles

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

Tyres

Tyre Size Spare: RUN FLAT TYRES

Space Saver?: 0

Alloys?: No

Tyre Size Front: 245/35 R20

Wheel Style: Y SPOKE STYLE 728M

Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY

Tyre Size Rear: 275/30 R20

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 5082

Height (including roof rails): N

Height: 1407

Width (including mirrors): 2137

Wheelbase: 3023

Width: 1932

Weight and Capacities

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 12.3

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): N

Max. Roof Load: 75

No. of Seats: 5

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 440

Max. Loading Weight: 620

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 68

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2435

Minimum Kerbweight: 1815

Carpets/Rugs

Oyster velour floormats

Embellishment Trims

Fineline copper interior trim

Carbon fibre interior trim finishers

Individual piano black trim

Exterior Body Features

Metallic paint

BMW Individual Frozen paint

BMW Individual paintwork

Panoramic glass sunroof

Chrome exterior trim

Interior Features

Individual alcantara headlining

BMW Individual extended merino leather upholstery - I

BMW Individual extended merino leather upholstery - II

BMW Individual full merino leather upholstery - I

BMW Individual full merino leather upholstery - II

Packs

Driving assistant professional pack - 8 Series

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Mineral white

Metallic - Portimao blue

Metallic - Black sapphire

Metallic - Carbon black

Metallic - Skyscraper grey

Metallic - Sanremo green

Paint - Solid

Solid - Alpine white

Paint - Special

BMW Individual paint special - Custom

BMW Individual paint - Special request

BMW Individual frozen metallic paint - Frozen tanzanite blue

BMW Individual frozen metallic paint - Frozen pure grey

BMW Individual metallic paint - Aventurine red

BMW Individual metallic paint - Tanzanite blue

BMW Individual metallic paint - Dravit grey

Seats

Front M Sport seats with electric memory function for driver/passenger seat + Lumbar support + Electric adjust comfort front headrests

Trim - Leather

Extended merino leather - Black M piping/Black world

BMW Individual full Merino leather II - Tartufo/black world

BMW Individual full Merino leather I - Cognac/black world

BMW Individual full Merino leather I - Black/Black world

BMW Individual full Merino leather I - Ivory white/Ivory white world

BMW Individual extended Merino leather II - Fiona red/Black with Black world

BMW Individual extended Merino leather II - Tartufo/Black with Black world

BMW Individual extended Merino leather I - Black/Black world

BMW Individual extended Merino leather I - Cognac/Black world

BMW Individual extended Merino leather I - Ivory white/Ivory white world

BMW Individual full Merino leather II - Fiona red/Black with Black world

Wheels - Alloy

20" Individual V spoke light alloy wheels with run flat mixed tyres - style 730

20" Double spoke bi colour alloy wheels with RFT - style 894M

20" Y spoke M light alloy wheels with mixed tyres in jet black with run flat tyres - style 728M

Wheels - Spare

Tyre repair kit