BMW is bringing back its 8 Series after nearly two decades.
Unveiled at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Lake Como, Italy, last week, the 8-Series concept car will pave the road for the BMW 8 Series Coupe. This “gentleman’s racer,” as BMW calls its new model, is set to roll off production lines sometime next year.
“The BMW Concept 8 Series is our take on a full-blooded, high-end driving machine,” said Adrian van Hooydonk, senior vice president, BMW Group Design, in a statement. “It is a luxurious sports car which embodies both unadulterated dynamics and modern luxury like arguably no other. For me, it’s a slice of pure automotive fascination.”
As Forbes noted, BMW’s original 8 Series was discontinued in 1999 after a decade-long run as the company’s flagship coupe. Reuters reports that the new 8 Series will retail at around $165,000.
For 8 Series purists, the new coupe will be bereft of at least one of the original model’s features: the pop-up headlights. But what it loses in ’90s chic, it will greatly make up for in style, sleekness, and future-leaning features. As van Hooydonk explains in the video below, “In this vehicle generation, cars will become more intelligent, and that means you as a driver need to give less input.” In other words, the 8 Series will take the busyness out of driving, and make the overall experience even more simple and enjoyable.
Take a tour of the concept below.
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