BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé – extra doors, extra space

With its four-door body, the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé brings a little more everyday practicality to the 8 Series range, with a 201mm longer wheelbase (measuring in a 3,023mm) and a slightly higher roofline. As a result, you’ll have a little more head and legroom, and a larger 440-litre boot. The penalty, however, despite BMW’s liberal use of aluminium and carbon fibre-reinforced plastic, is that you’ll be lugging around an extra 70kg…

Under the bonnet buyers can choose from three engines – a new twin-turbo petrol V8 and straight-six, and a twin-turbo straight-six diesel. The new V8 makes a whopping 530hp and 750Nm of torque, allowing the all-wheel-drive M850i xDrive Gran Coupé to accelerate from zero to 62mph in 3.9 seconds. Average fuel consumption stands at a very respectable 28mpg. The straight-six petrol, on the other hand, still delivers a very respectable 340hp with peak torque of 500Nm, allowing the 840i Gran Coupé to dart from zero to 62mph in 5.2 seconds.

Finally, the 3.0-litre diesel unit in the 840d xDrive Gran Coupé chucks out 320hp and 680Nm. Zero to 62mph takes 5.1 seconds.

All the engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddles behind the steering wheel, as you’d expect.

How do you get all of that power and torque to the road? Well not only does the Gran Coupé come with Adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers, but it features Integral Active Steering. Included as standard on the all-wheel-drive 850i and 840d, and optional on the rear-wheel-drive 840i, the rear axle steers in the opposite direction to the front wheels at speeds of up to 45mph. Beyond 45mph and the wheels all point the same way, increasing manoeuvrability at low speeds and improving high-speed stability. The electronic M Sport differential takes the place usually reserved for a more traditional rear limited-slip differential, and comes as standard on both petrol models.

Adaptable LED lights front the vehicle, with daytime running lights and cornering lights included as standard. Buyers can also specify BMW Laserlight, which offers a 600-metre high-beam range. An understated side view features a few character lines as well as the hallmark BMW design cue, the Hofmeister kink. Buyers can specify a panoramic glass roof, with an opening front section, and choose from a number of alloy wheel designs and one non-metallic and six metallic exterior paint finishes. Huge twin-trapezoidal tailpipes bookend the back section.

Aerodynamic effects include active flaps in the front grille, and an additional front spoiler lip on the BMW M850i helps reduce front-axle lift at high speeds.

Hop inside and the leather and aluminium (with wood effect options) clad interior features a sports steering wheel as standard. Unique to the Gran Coupé is the extended centre console, which incorporates air vents, a stowage tray, two USB ports and climate controls in the rear.

As standard, the new model features a wireless charging tray, electrically adjustable, heated and folding exterior mirrors, heated seats in the front and rear and the BMW Display Key, which shows the driver the remaining fuel level and service-related information on its colour display.

Also included is the BMW Live Cockpit Professional, with navigation and a standard Harman Kardon Surround Sound System. Four-zone automatic climate control system is also standard, as is a head-up display, BMW’s Driving Assistant, Parking Assistant and reversing assistant, and BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. You’ll be well assisted, whatever you’re up to.

Available to order now, the new BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé 840i is priced from £69,340, the 840d from £73,915 and the 850i from £97,720, with deliveries due to commence in September 2019.