The new BMW 8 Series is one of the automotive industry’s most celebrated comebacks, and the Bavarian giant is wasting no time in capitalising that sentiment. Besides adding a four-door Gran Coupe to the line-up, it also has the 8 Series Cabriolet in store, which will likely be launched soon.
This is the cleanest example of the ragtop grand tourer we’ve seen to date, and it doesn’t leave much to the imagination. The prototype unit was spotted in Munich with minimal camouflaging – only the top section of the rump is masked. In true cabriolet style, the camo-ed top is flat, which hides the mechanised soft-top system.
The blue unit is quite likely the M850i Cabrio, featuring Cerium Grey exterior highlights and dark blue M brake calipers. Under the bonnet is a monstrous 4.4 litre biturbo petrol V8 that makes 530 hp from 5,500 to 6,000 rpm and a whopping 750 Nm between 1,800 and 4,600 rpm. The same engine in the 8 Series Coupé sends it blitzing to the 100 km/h mark in just 3.7 seconds, so expect the cabriolet to be just a tenth of a second slower, if not two-tenths.
The more striking red model features a meaner look, starting with the blacked-out kidney grille, sportier front and rear apron complete with carbon-fibre inserts. Just like the coupé, expect mechanical components such as rear-biased xDrive all-wheel drive system, electronic rear differential lock and active anti-roll bars to be featured as well.
Other variants include the 840d xDrive and a full-blown M8. The former employs a 3.0 litre twin-turbocharged straight-six that makes 320 hp and 680 Nm, and it’s paired to an eight-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission. It’s fast, too, taking just 4.9 seconds in the century sprint.
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Who else looked at the picture for the second time and realise it’s actually a few headrest instead of few botak fellas XD
In Malaysia, Cabrio cannot sell well. When your hair cannot fly, no point having cabriolet.