BMW picks up the scalpel and fine-tunes the 8-series. Both the exterior and interior have been overhauled, but you have to look carefully for the differences.
Highlights
- M package now standard
- Slightly modified front and rear bumpers
- New 12.3-inch iDrive screen
- Engines unchanged
The 8 Series has been with us since 2018. BMW initially released the successor to the 6-series as a coupé, later the convertible and Gran Coupé followed. The facelift of the 8-series is based on a German model, which means that you have to look carefully for the differences. For starters, the M package is always standard from now on. The grille is now built with double bars and the layout of the air intakes changed slightly, with the large air intake under the grille having two extra inserts on either side. The M logo can be found on all engine versions at the top right of the grille. In addition, the grille gets ‘Iconic Glow’ as standard, which lights up the bars when the car is unlocked. If you are not a fan of it, you can also turn it off.
BMW 8 Series
The rear remains largely as it was, only the new insert between the exhausts with small air deflectors betray that this is the new model year. The side mirrors have also been renewed and also follow the design of the M models on the regular variants. Remarkably enough, BMW did not change the light units at the front and rear, which is usually common with facelifts of the German three. Despite the standard M package, you still have the choice between black or chrome frame of the side windows and grille. You can also order the 8 Series in four new colours: Skyscraper Gray metallic, San Remo Green metallic, M Portimao Blue metallic and BMW Individual Frozen Tanzanite Blue metallic. In addition, the 8 Series can be configured with new 20-inch alloy wheels.
Bigger screen
Inside the 8 Series, BMW changed one prominent element. The iDrive touchscreen towers above the dashboard and measures 12.3 inches. However, the iDrive controller on the center console is still maintained. A Head-Up Display, wireless charging for the smartphone and ‘BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant’ are always included. The layout of the interior does not change. All models will now receive standard Merino leather and the 8-series Gran Coupé has four-zone climate control as standard. Since the M package is always included from now on, the interior of the 8-series from now on always comes with stainless steel pedals, M door sills and floor mats.
BMW 8 Series
Same engines
BMW does not use the facelift of the 8-series to implement changes in the engine variants. The 840i, 840d and M850i ​​xDrive thus remain as they were and do not get a power increase. The 840i and 840d are both available with both rear-wheel and four-wheel drive (xDrive), the M850i ​​always has four-wheel drive.
BMW M8 Convertible
The rangetopper M8 left BMW untouched in appearance. The ‘real’ M also still has a 4.4 V8 with two turbos and 625 hp. However, the color palette of the M8 will be overhauled, just like with the regular 8-series. With the M8 you can also choose from Skyscraper gray metallic, but also Brooklyn gray metallic and ‘Isle of Man green’. In addition, four new matt ‘Frozen’ paint finishes are also available: Pure Grey, Deep Grey, Deep Green and Tanzanite Blue. In the interior, a combination of Merino leather and Alcantara is standard, if desired, the application of Alcantara extends to the instrument panel and the tops of the doors. As an extra option, the interior is available in a combination of black and ‘Sakhir Orange’.
The renewed BMW 8-series and M8 will be on the market in the spring of this year. Prices will be announced at a later stage.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl