BMW’s Gran Coupe family is about to welcome a new member. Joining the existing 4-Series Gran Coupe — and replacing the aging 6-Series variant — will be the flagship 8-Series Gran Coupe, based on the all-new 8 Series coupe but stretched into a four-door configuration.
Aside from the obvious lengthening of the body structure to accommodate the extra doors and seats, there shouldn’t be too many changes under the skin compared to the two-door 8-Series. We anticipate the 8-Series Gran Coupe will be available with the same powertrain, which means it’ll come with a powerful twin-turbocharged V8 engine and all-wheel drive.
This prototype, seen near BMW’s test centre in Lapland, is likely a preview of the sporty M850i trim with frills such as adjustable bucket seats, M-themed interior and exterior accents, and blue brake calipers. Note, too, the exhaust-within-an-exhaust setup — similar to what’s on the 8-Series coupe — and the upright Hofmeister kink (BMW’s classic upward angle at the rearmost part of the side windows). The slim front fascia and kidney grilles also look like they’re lifted straight off the coupe.
Expect the interior treatment to mirror that of the coupe as well, with a large digital dashboard and compact centre-console switchgear. We anticipate that the rear seats will be ultra-luxurious, though we wonder if taller passengers will have enough headroom. It’s too early to tell if the 8 Series Gran Coupe will have a cargo bay to write home about; the hatchback 4-Series Gran Coupe is surprisingly handy back there, but the 6-Series Gran Coupe actually has a smaller trunk than the 5-Series sedan on which it’s based.
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