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If our latest film on BMW’s bastion of grand touring escaped you somehow, you can view it here to get up to speed on the original E31 8-Series and the 850CSi that sits atop the mythos of the line. Today however, that model range has been revived with the first official images of what will become the latest BMW to sign its name with “8.”
Announced months prior, the second coming of luxury GT Jesus has kept the collective car world edging ever further out out of its seat, and now we have the first gallery of images revealing the upcoming 2018 production model’s form. Of course, the angles and planes and curves will likely be corralled somewhat in the road-going version, but we can’t restrain ourselves from imagining what it might be like to see one of these gliding among the ho-hum of general traffic.
Aside from what is guaranteed to be a bountiful bevy of technological innovation and cohesiveness, the presence of this shape alone is enough to warrant stolen breath. Though the nomenclature of odds and evens and coupes and grand coupes leads to many a scratched head, there is no denying this car’s claim on the top spot in BMW’s range.
The design both harkens to its predecessor in proportion (an expansive hood, a sleek cabin set back against a brief deck lid, and long wheelbase are very much in keeping with the first car’s ethos), while also pushing the company’s evolving design to the forefront. Featuring the prominent and capacious twin kidneys of BMW’s recent concepts, a high belt line, and boldly carved spaces on the sides and rear, the design is a declarative step forward without complete separation from its genesis.
At once channeling the cutting edge amenities to be found in a stretched 7 and the svelte sweeps that make up the 6, the new 8-Series will claim its own domain. This is what happens when technology, design, and engineering harmonize in corporeal form. We will be following up with a more in-depth discussion with some of the people behind BMW’s latest 8, but for now enjoy these photos and a video showcasing the concept in action.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrwE9I1CJqw
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I don’t know why did, or better does BMW refused it’s originality in design that he was known for in previous decades… Yes, there are several interesting details in this car but there are too many other details that recalls us on other manufacturers models. For a producer with such a heritage this model should not be something to be proud of.
O.K. it looks like a BMW but the side strakes seem stolen from a Ferrari 456 and the overall shape, particularly the side windows and rear haunches have been plucked from Aston Martin, who have been doing this design for a long while now…. If I hadn’t seen the front first, the rear could be another take on a DB11. So the front……. sadly like many other BMW’s the focus is on making the brand stand out first and foremost but the way in which it is done; nasty, steroid induced aggression, rather than enhancing subtlety and elegance (like the original) puts me off. But then again I’m not the sort of egotistical, thrusting exec. who’s actually going to buy one! Oh and the grill has some resemblance to a Maserati Frua A6GCS but without the surrounding grace to carry it off. Perhaps it’s just a lot harder these days to create something truly original?
Terrible. This really will be a love/hate car. Far too industrial looking. That grill ! I keep expecting the clown from IT to appear with his sharpened teeth ! BMW can do great design http://silodrome.com/bmw-3-0-csl/
I really like the looks of it, hope it carries much over to the production vehicle.
Also couldn’t restrain myself from doing a render of how an M8 might look: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/mLzbd
Seriously ! When a bloated , over designed , over sculpted verging on fugly Lexus looks better than a BMW you know ” Its the End of the World as We Know It ” *.. and no … I personally don’t feel very fine at all
Sigh … and once again BMW Automotive walks away from Villa d’Este with a resounding … F .. on their report card . Amazing that BMW Motorrad can come up with one winner after another … whilst BMW Automotive continues down the path of eventual irrelevance .. looking more ‘ Japanese ‘ by the car
* REM