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  • William Maley
    William Maley

    By William Maley •

    2019 BMW M850i xDrive: The 8 Series Returns With 523-HP V8

      BMW revives the 8 Series after a 20-year hiatus. The M850i xDrive launches with a 523-hp twin-turbo V8, xDrive all-wheel drive, and rear-axle steering.

    After 20 years since it departed, the 8-Series is making a comeback to the BMW lineup.

    The design is more dramatic than the 6-Series coupe with a long front end, "double-bubble" roof contouring, and interesting shape for the trunk lid. Inside, the center stack is oriented to the driver to have controls within easy reach. A 10.3-inch digital instrument panel, and a 12.3-inch infotainment system comes standard. A set of M sport seats are upholstered in Merino leather.

    At launch, BMW will only offer the M850i xDrive for the U.S. It packs a brand new turbocharged 4.4L V8 producing 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic routes power to all four wheels. BMW quotes a 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds and a top speed limited to 155 mph. Expect other powertrains to be announced at a later date.

    For the suspension, BMW utilizes a double-wishbone setup up front and a five-link axle in the rear to make the coupe feel more agile. A set of adaptive dampers can adjust the overall firmness automatically. The M850i xDrive will also come with a rear-axle steering system that turns the rear wheels up to 2.5-degrees to reduce turning radius at lower speeds, while improving cornering at higher speeds.

    The 2019 M850i xDrive arrives at BMW dealers this fall.

    Exterior Design and Aerodynamics

    The 8 Series Coupe draws from BMW's new design language with a low-slung silhouette, slim window pillars, and a long wheelbase. The signature kidney grille features a hexagonal outline that widens at the bottom, and the standard Full LED headlights with BMW LaserLight technology are the slimmest on any BMW to date. At the rear, slender L-shaped LED taillights extend into the flanks, and twin trapezoidal exhaust tips complete the look. An almost fully covered underbody, active air flap control, and Air Curtains help reduce aerodynamic drag. An optional carbon-fiber roof lowers the center of gravity for sharper handling.

    Powertrain and Transmission

    The M850i xDrive debuts a completely revised 4.4-liter BMW TwinPower Turbo V8 with twin-scroll turbochargers, High Precision Injection at up to 5,076 psi, and VALVETRONIC variable valve control. Output is 523 horsepower between 5,500 and 6,000 rpm and 553 lb-ft of torque from 1,800 to 4,600 rpm. A flap-controlled sport exhaust delivers a distinct V8 soundtrack that intensifies in SPORT+ mode. The latest eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission features a wider gear ratio spread and sharper shift response, with intelligent networking that uses navigation data to anticipate downshifts before intersections and avoid unnecessary shifts between successive corners.

    Chassis and All-Wheel Drive

    BMW xDrive sends power to all four wheels with a rear-biased setup, decoupling the front axle entirely when all-wheel drive is not needed. An electronically controlled rear differential lock improves traction out of corners. The standard Integral Active Steering turns the rear wheels up to 2.5 degrees, steering opposite to the front wheels below 45 mph for agility and matching them above that speed for high-speed stability. Adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers is standard, and optional active roll stabilization uses electric swivel motors on the anti-roll bars for flat cornering and improved straight-line comfort.

    Interior Technology and Driver Assistance

    The BMW Live Cockpit Professional pairs a 12.3-inch instrument cluster with a 10.25-inch Control Display running BMW Operating System 7.0. The standard Head-Up Display shows speed, navigation, and engine rpm in SPORT mode. Audio options range from an 11-speaker standard system up to a 1,375-watt Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System with 16 speakers. Glass crystal controls adorn the gear selector, iDrive controller, and start button, with an illuminated "8" visible through the shifter. The BMW Digital Key uses NFC to lock, unlock, and start the car from a smartphone, shareable with up to five people. The optional Driving Assistant Professional adds Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go, lane keeping with active side collision protection, and a Reversing Assistant that retraces up to 55 yards of the car's last forward path.

    For the complete technical specifications, see the full BMW press release.

    Related Coverage

    The 8 Series had been the subject of speculation dating back to 2015, with reports that BMW greenlit the project for a 2018 reveal as part of a broader plan to reposition the 6 Series as a Porsche 911 competitor. Shortly after the coupe's debut, BMW followed up with the 2019 8 Series Convertible at the LA Auto Show.

    Source: BMW

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    ccap41
    30 minutes ago, William Maley said:

    It packs a brand new turbocharged 4.4L V8 producing 523 horsepower between and 553 pound-feet of torque.

     

    30 minutes ago, William Maley said:

    roof contouring, and and interesting

    I'm not trying to be a dick, just pointing out some things you'd probably prefer to change with your name on it. 

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    balthazar

    Mustang pretty much is writing the template for a successful GT, so it makes sense BMW would emulate some of that formula.

    But what's puzzling is BMW's recent entry with the very same vehicle, then called the 6-series, nobody bought, so I wonder what sort of business case they pitched to get a MORE expensive version of an unwanted coupe green-lighted?

    BTW; IMO the Mustang looks a lot more cohesive of a design.

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    G. David Felt
    54 minutes ago, balthazar said:

    Mustang pretty much is writing the template for a successful GT, so it makes sense BMW would emulate some of that formula.

    But what's puzzling is BMW's recent entry with the very same vehicle, then called the 6-series, nobody bought, so I wonder what sort of business case they pitched to get a MORE expensive version of an unwanted coupe green-lighted?

    BTW; IMO the Mustang looks a lot more cohesive of a design.

    Totally agree, nice looking auto, but the 6 series is a flop, so I also wonder what business case they sold the board on to green light building this? ?

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    smk4565

    It's been 20 years since the last BMW 8-series and 20 years since BMW made a really good looking car.    This is the best looking BMW since the last 8-series (which still looks good today, and looks totally badass) and this is a really outstanding looking car.  They got this right, it has that shape reminiscent of the last Jaguar XK or an Aston Martins DB9, the tail end might be a little busy, but overall  a great looking car.  

    And nice job bringing the power, they brought the big boy V8, not some wimpy six cylinder.

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    smk4565
    23 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

    I like that big coupes are making a comeback, but can we get some real usable rear seat headroom? See my signature on an example of how to do it. 

    I looked up the size of this car, it is roughly E-class coupe size, the E-class has a 2 inch longer wheelbase but is 1 inch shorter in length, the 8-series is 3 inches wider and 3 inches lower in height, so I am guessing head room is tight.  So we aren't talking S-class coupe size.  This is similar in size to the original 8-series so that is a good thing, I like this size of car, but I wonder if BMW will make a bigger coupe.  The 8-series is also close in size to a Bentley Continental GT, but if you want a big luxury coupe it seems like S-class and Rolls-Royce are the only options.  Perhaps Cadillac should get into that space.

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    balthazar
    19 hours ago, smk4565 said:

    It's been 20 years since the last BMW 8-series and 20 years since BMW made a really good looking car.

    I question whether BMW EVER made a "really good looking car" (that wasn't a concept... but even there I'm struggling).

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    ccap41
    On 6/15/2018 at 4:23 PM, balthazar said:

    But what's puzzling is BMW's recent entry with the very same vehicle, then called the 6-series, nobody bought, so I wonder what sort of business case they pitched to get a MORE expensive version of an unwanted coupe green-lighted?

    I don't know what the S Class Coupe is selling like but I have to believe they see some sales there and have potential to get some of their own. 

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    G. David Felt
    3 hours ago, ccap41 said:

    I don't know what the S Class Coupe is selling like but I have to believe they see some sales there and have potential to get some of their own. 

    So based on 2017 sales, 15,888 of the total S-Class were sold in the US and a total of 79,400 sedans, coupes and convertibles world wide. Seems like the convertible makes up about 10% world wide at best. The report states they sold 600 of the Pullman S-Class version, , 10% of convertibles / coupes and the rest are 4 door sedans. So that would make about 1,588 or the Convertibles or about 132 units a month.

    https://www.daimler.com/documents/investors/reports/annual-report/daimler/daimler-ir-annual-report-2017.pdf

    Not totally sold that the 8 Series will be profitable let alone worth the R&D, but guess if they build it off a Class 6 line, then maybe.

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