By 19th Hole Staff
At this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este BMW unveiled the BMW Concept 8 Series, the essence of a modern-day coupe wrapped in an enthralling design study. The study car serves as a forerunner of a forthcoming BMW model – the new 8 Series Coupe, slated for launch in 2018.
“The number 8 has always represented the pinnacle of sports performance and exclusivity at BMW,” explains Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG Harald Krüger. “The new BMW 8 Series Coupe will demonstrate that razor-sharp dynamics and modern luxury can go hand-in-hand. This will be the next model in the expansion of our luxury-car offering and will raise the benchmark for coupes in the segment. In the process, we will strengthen our claim to leadership in the luxury class.”
“The BMW Concept 8 Series is our take on a full-blooded high-end driving machine,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design. “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.”
“The design of the BMW Concept 8 Series provides a fresh interpretation of iconic BMW styling cues,” adds van Hooydonk. “And it also showcases a new approach to the use of forms which is reflected prominently in the car’s surfacing. A handful of crisp lines mark out clear surfaces and the car’s volumes are powerfully sculpted. Together, these elements make a forceful statement and create a model brimming with character. In short, this is a driver’s car.”
The exclusively developed exterior paint finish, Barcelona Grey Liquid – a greyish-blue with highly iridescent pigments – shows off the surfacing to optimum effect. Large (21-inch) light-alloy wheels feature a sporty and exclusive multi-spoke design.
The front-end view is, low-slung and visually striking. A large kidney grille, slim twin headlights and large air intakes form a striking, sporty front-end graphic.
Once behind the wheel, the driver is wrapped in the tightly enclosed ambience typical of sports cars. The grouping of functions into control clusters in the center stack, the center console and the doors gives the interior a clear graphic structure. The exclusive sports seats are slim in design, the carbon-fiber shell providing the basic structure for the finest Merino leather in Dark Brown and Fjord White. Accent surfaces in carbon fiber and hand-polished aluminum create deliberate contrasts and radiate a sporty and technical feel. A faceted ground gearshift lever and the iDrive Controller made from Swarovski glass with smoky quartz sheen add finishing touches.
Images courtesy of BMW Group
