BMW has dropped the first details on its new 8-Series ahead of
the car's debut in June at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The 8-Series will mark
BMW's return to the French classic, with a dedicated race version set to compete
in the GTE class for production-based cars.
The road-going 8-Series has now reached the final stage of development
and will be in European showrooms by the end of the year, BMW confirmed
Thursday. An arrival in the United States is not expected until the first half
of 2019, meaning we could see the car arrive as a 2020 model.
At the top of the range, at least until an M8 arrives, will be an M850i
xDrive, combining V-8 performance and all-wheel-drive traction. The M850i
xDrive is an M Performance model, so it gets a number of enhancements developed
by the M division including a rear differential lock as well as sport-tuned
suspension and steering.
Under the hood sits BMW's familiar 4.4-liter
twin-turbocharged V-8, which gets paired up with an 8-speed automatic
transmission. The engine is tuned to deliver 530 horsepower and 553 pound-feet
of torque in this latest application and should result in 0-60 mph acceleration
figures of around 4.0 seconds.
The M850i xDrive is in its most potent form when the driving
mode selector is switched to Sport+. Here the engine is in its most aggressive
setting, as are numerous additional elements such as the electronically
controlled dampers, transmission logic, stability control system and all-wheel
drive.
Beyond the impressive drivetrain, BMW says 8-Series owners
can also look forward to a low center of gravity and a stiff body and chassis.
Underpinning the car is BMW's CLAR modular platform that debuted in the 2016
7-Series. Although BMW is yet to confirm it, we're expecting the CLAR's carbon
core lightweight construction to feature in the 8-Series. So far it's only
found in the 7-Series.
Production of the 8-Series in coupe guise will start at
BMW’s main plant in Dingolfing, Germany later this year. The coupe will be
joined shortly by an 8-Series Convertible and
an 8-Series Gran Coupe
sedan, and all three body styles will be offered in high-performance M8
trim. M8 versions will also come with a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 but with
output hovering above 600 hp.
source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1116441_bmw-confirms-first-specs-for-new-8-series
by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
http://www.boscheuropean.com
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