8 WORTH THE WAIT(some text hidden)

By Jonathan Crouch

Ten Second Review word count: 46

What should a top luxury sports coupe be? Sharp and driver-orientated like a Porsche 911? Or a luxurious Grand Tourer like the Bentley Continental GT? If you can't decide, this BMW 8 Series Coupe might offer the perfect solution. Especially in this meaner-looking, usefully updated guise

Background word count: 178

Back in 2018, this 'G15'-series model revived an 8 Series nameplate previously seen between 1989 and 1999, but sidelined in the early years of this century as BMW experimented with other approaches into the luxury coupe market. One was the electrified i8, the other the four-door 6 Series Gran Coupe. The Munich maker always insisted that this 8 Series wasn't merely a stylised two-door version of the 7 Series saloon, even though it's built alongside that car at the company's Dingolfing German plant. The manufacturer points out that '8' has always been a model badge given to its special projects. The i8 was one; the Z8 sports roadster of 2000 was another. With this 8 Series Coupe, development was conducted in parallel with the M8 GTE endurance racing car, which suggested a dynamic focus never previously seen in a top BMW coupe model. And sure enough, that was what we got when this 'G15' 8 Series Coupe was launched in 2018. Four years on, the range received the useful package of updates we're going to look at here.

Driving Experience word count: 218

The range kicks off with the 340hp rear-driven 840i version but most 8 Series Coupe buyers choose between the two mainstream xDrive variants, both of which feature xDrive 4WD as standard. The enthusiasts' choice will be the M850i variant, which uses much the same 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V8 you'll find in the brand's M5 super saloon but here tuned to 530hp. An M Sport exhaust delivers a snarly soundtrack and there are the usual 'Driving Experience Control' modes - 'Eco', 'Comfort', 'Sport' and 'Sport+'. There's 750Nm of torque and 62mph from rest takes just 3.7s. If that's not fast enough, you'll want to talk to your dealer about the even quicker M8 Competition model which puts out 625hp. The old 840d xDrive diesel variant is no longer offered. 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.