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

Electric front windows

Heated rear window

Heated windscreen washer jets

Thermally insulated windscreen

Rain sensor with automatic intermittent windscreen wipers control and headlights activation

Climate comfort windscreen, infrared reflecting with burglary-deterrent acoustic film

Sun protection glass - strongly tinted glass in the rear of the vehicle from the B pillar back

Heat protection/Sun protection glazing - Tinted green tempered safety glass all around/Laminated safety glass windshield

Brakes

Anti-lock Brake System and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution

DSC - Dynamic Stability Control

Dynamic Traction Control - DTC

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

Integrated brake system with two selectable brake pedal characteristics

Compound structure brake discs

Carpets/Rugs

Velour floormats

Chassis/Suspension

Adaptive M suspension

Double wishbone front axle

Dynamic Damper Control

Communication

Wi-Fi hotspot

Bluetooth Hands free facility with USB audio interface and Voice Control

Enhanced bluetooth telephony with wireless charging

Driver Aids

Power assisted steering

M servotronic

Front/rear park distance control (PDC)

Parking assistant plus with 360 degree surround view camera system and remote 3D view

Driver Convenience

Start/stop button in red

Electric boot lid - electrically opening/closing rear tailgate

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

Driver Information

Check control system

Rev counter

Service interval indicator

Brake pad wear indicator warning light

Personal Profile

BMW Teleservices

Oil sensor for level and grade

BMW legal emergency call

Condition based service

Integrated owner's handbook

BMW Drive recorder

BMW ConnectedDrive online services

iDrive controller with shortcut buttons

Light on warning

BMW Live cockpit professional with HUD

Driving Mirrors

Electric adjustable/heated/folding door mirrors

Frameless interior mirror

Engine

Petrol Particulate Filter

M Twin power turbo 8 cylinder

Entertainment

Favourite buttons

DAB Tuner enables digital radio reception

Exterior Body Features

Body colour bumpers

Soft close automatic (SCA) for doors

High gloss black kidney grille

M Sport exhaust system

Front and rear bumper system with replaceable deformation elements

M carbon roof

Carbon core - innovative lightweight construction with highly rigid and light carbon elements

Door handle illumination

Black chrome exhaust tailpipes

BMW Individual high-gloss shadow line with extended contents includes kidney frame, clasp and air breather in black chrome

BMW Individual high-gloss shadow line with window frame and mirror base in black high gloss

Rear side wing doors

Rear boot

Model logo on kidney, side strakes, right tailgate and door sill finishers

Full ornamental grille with kidney grille bars

Exhaust system cover panels

Exterior Lights

High beam assistant

LED daytime running lights

Dynamic brake lights

LED rear lights

Welcome lights in interior and door handle area

Follow me home headlight function

Third LED technology brake light in rear window

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

4 zone control automatic air conditioning

Microfilter and active carbon filter

Interior Features

Front door pockets

Front cupholders x 2

Glove compartment

2 X front 12v power sockets

Lockable glove compartment with light

M door sill finishers with illuminated BMW M8 designation

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

Lashing eyelets in luggage compartment

Instrument and upper door panel in walknappa black leather

Front centre armrest with light, 12V socket and USB and storage compartment

Through loading function

Centre console and cupholder storage incl. USB

Interior Lights

Entry lights on doors

Front reading lights

Automatic interior light soft on/soft off system

Luggage compartment light

Dynamic ambient interior lighting

Interior light front centre above interior mirror

Packs

Connected package professional - M8

Safety

Side impact protection

Two tone horn

Warning triangle and first aid kit

Passenger airbag deactivation system

Driver/front passenger side airbags

Driver/passenger seat occupancy sensor

Head airbags for first and second row seats

Child seat ISOFIX attachment rear outer seats

Driver and front passenger knee airbag

Active protection

3x3 point rear seat belts

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

M Seatbelts with black seat belts with fine M stripes for all seats

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

Tyre pressure indicator

Driver and front passenger airbags

Manual child lock in rear doors

Active front integrated look headrests

Seats

Rear headrests

Rear heated seats

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Split folding rear seat with 50:50 configuration

4 way electrically adjustable lumbar support for driver and front passenger

Height adjustable headrests with integrated headrest look

Security

Locking wheel bolts

Centre lock switch

Comfort access system

Alarm system

Electronic vehicle immobiliser

Closing system with central locking

Keyless engine start

Vehicle key with exclusive M designation

Transmission

M Sport differential

xDrive (permanent all-wheel drive, variable torque distribution, including DSC to control traction interventions)

Steptronic sport transmission with eight speed automatic and gearshift paddle switches on the steering wheel

Vanity Mirrors

Sunvisors with front ticket pocket and illuminated mirrors

Wheels - Spare

Tyre repair kit

Emissions - ICE

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High: 227

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

Noise Level dB(A): 71

HC+NOx: N

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low: 493

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium: 250

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High: 214

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 263

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 264

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 262

Engine and Drive Train

Fuel Delivery: TWIN TURBO

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Code: S63B44T4

Engine Layout: NORTH SOUTH

Camshaft: DOHC

Compression Ratio: 10.0:1

Number of Valves: 32

Cylinder Layout: V8

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Gears: 8 SPEED

Cylinders: 8

CC: 4395

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 88.3

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 89

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 24.4

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 24.8

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 24.6

WLTP - MPG - Low: 13.1

WLTP - MPG - Medium: 25.9

WLTP - MPG - High: 30.1

WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 28.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 11.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 11.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 11.5

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 9.9

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 9.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 10.9

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 21.6

General

NCAP Safety Assist %: N

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N

Badge Power: 625

Badge Engine CC: 4.4

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Coin Description: N

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 50E

Coin Series: M8 Competition

Based On ID: N

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

Special Order: 0

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

Generation Mark: 1

Special Edition: 0

Performance

Engine Torque - RPM: 1800

Engine Power - BHP: 625

Engine Power - PS: No

Engine Torque - NM: 750

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 553

Engine Power - RPM: 6000

Engine Power - KW: 460

Engine Torque - MKG: 76.5

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

0 to 62 mph (secs): 3.2

Top Speed: 155

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Space Saver?: 0

Alloys?: No

Tyre Size Front: 275/35 R20

Wheel Style: STAR SPOKE STYLE 813 M

Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY

Tyre Size Rear: 285/35 R20

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 5098

Height (including roof rails): N

Height: 1420

Width (including mirrors): 2137

Wheelbase: 3027

Width: 1943

Weight and Capacities

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 12.9

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): N

No. of Seats: 5

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 440

Max. Loading Weight: 445

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 68

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2440

Minimum Kerbweight: 1995

Brakes

M Compound brake in high gloss black with M designation

M Compound brake in high gloss blue with M designation

Embellishment Trims

BMW Individual piano black trim with highlight trim finishers

Ash grain grey interior trim

BMW Individual ash black with silver effect interior finishers trim

Entertainment

TV function plus including digital reception with CI+ card reader, operation by iDrive controller and integral roof aerial

Exterior Body Features

Solid paint

BMW Individual paint

Frozen paint

Interior Features

BMW Individual multifunction leather steering wheel with rim in leather Walknappa Night blue and shift paddles

BMW Individual multifunction leather steering wheel with rim in leather Walknappa Black and shift paddles

BMW Individual headliner alcantara

Full Merino leather upholstery

BMW Individual full merino leather upholstery

Packs

Comfort plus pack with M Carbon bucket seats - M8 Gran Coupe

Visibility pack with M lights shadowline - M8

M pro pack - M8

Technology plus pack - M8

Carbon pack - M8

Comfort plus pack - M8 Gran Coupe

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Black sapphire

Metallic - Marina Bay blue

Metallic - Skyscraper grey

Metallic - Brooklyn grey

Metallic - Isle of Man green

Paint - Solid

Solid - Alpine white

Paint - Special

BMW Individual paint - Tanzanite blue

BMW Individual paint - Aventurine red

BMW Individual paint special - Custom

BMW Individual paint - Dravit grey

BMW Individual paint - Special request

Frozen paint - Frozen tanzanite blue

Frozen paint - Frozen Pure grey

Seats

M Carbon bucket seats

Trim - Leather

Full Merino leather - Silverstone/black

Full Merino leather - Black/black

Full Merino leather - Sakhir orange/black

Full Merino leather - Midrand beige/black

BMW Individual full Merino leather - Ivory White/Tartufo

Full Merino leather - Taruma brown/black

BMW Individual full Merino leather - Ivory white/Night blue

Trim - Part Leather

Full leather Merino/Alcantara - Black/contrast sakhir orange

Full leather Merino/Alcantara - Black/contrast stitching midrand beige

Wheels - Alloy

20" Double spoke black alloy wheels - style 810M