The Return Of An Icon
Not seen on the roads for almost 20 years, the once popular BMW 8 series Coupé has had a makeover to launch it into the 21st century. Photography: Paul Currie
The new BMW 8 Series Coupé opens a new chapter in BMW’s proud history of making iconic sports cars. With outstanding performance, striking design, state-of-the-art luxury and advanced equipment technology, the BMW 8 Series is one of the most exciting new models to emerge in recent years.
Like the previous design from the 90s, this unique sports car has a flowing roofline, long bonnet and large air intakes to give the impression of strength and speed.
There’s a lot that’s different too.
The car is equipped, as standard, with cruise control with braking function, as well as collision and pedestrian warning with city braking. The latest version of which also alerts the driver when a cyclist is detected. Depending on the situation, the system can bring the vehicle to a halt, to either avoid a collision or minimise its consequences.
BMW head-up display, which comes as standard in the new BMW 8 Series Coupé and projects relevant driving information onto the windscreen in the form of graphics, is another key safety factor. The latest generation features a projection area enlarged by 16 per cent, optimised graphics and additional content.
Active Park Distance Control, with sensors at the front and rear is standard and provides visual and acoustic warnings to avoid colliding with obstacles. The standard parking assistant is able to automatically select suitable parallel parking spaces and manoeuvre into them. Once activated, the system takes care of the accelerator, brakes and steering as well as changing gear.
After meeting Ben at Bowker BMW, he took me out in the car for a drive to show me what it could do and after a short journey, he handed control over to me.
There’s no doubt about it, it’s a top of the range Coupé and BMW has gone all out to ensure that it’s beautiful and clever – it basically drives itself. It’s still a driver’s car – the light steering allows you to feel every move the car makes, but if you want to sit back and relax, you can. With Driving Assistant Plus, the car will safely follow the one in front.
The BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system operates more efficiently than ever before. With its rapid, precise and fully variable distribution of torque between the front and rear wheels, it maximises traction and handling stability, not just when driving in adverse road conditions, but in highly dynamic driving situations too. Power is split in accordance with demands at all times using an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch that is networked with the powertrain and chassis systems.
The BMW 8 Series Coupé comes as standard with the BMW live cockpit professional, which combines a new display and control concept and maximum connectivity, into a superb all-round package. The latest-generation display and control concept consists of a high-resolution instrument cluster behind the steering wheel with a screen diagonal of 12.3 inches and a 10.25 inch control display. BMW Connected is the digital and personal mobility assistant for BMW. Intelligent connectivity helps drivers reach their destination easily and with minimal stress, not only when they are in their car. BMW Connected is an all-embracing concept that is designed to seamlessly connect the driver and their smartphone with the vehicle. This new technology provides customisable content as well as a wide range of apps such as Spotify and Audible.
The BMW 8 Series can be paired up to your phone so you can activate the car through that device and digital keys can be set up for other people in the household should they need to access the vehicle when you’re not there.
The BMW 8 Series Coupé is a special car. The last word in refined car design, new owners of this car have a lot to look forward to. BMW has made driving fun again.
Bowker Preston BMW
Channel Way
Preston PR2 2YA
01772 769976
www.bowkerprestonbmw.co.uk
