Munich. With the presentation of the BMW Concept 8
Series, BMW already offered a close-to-series glimpse at the design of
their new luxury segment sports car. The dynamic qualities of the new
BMW 8 Series Coupe are now also clearly manifesting themselves. A
close-to-series prototype is currently undergoing intensive testing on
a high-speed proving ground in Aprilia, Italy. The tests serve in
particular to optimise the vehicle’s driving dynamics on surfaces with
a high friction coefficient and mark yet a further decisive stage on
the way to the launch of the new BMW 8 Coupe during 2018.
The test drives are being carried out with a heavily camouflaged
prototype, which nevertheless gives strong indication of the new BMW 8
Series Coupe’s typical sports car proportions. As in the case of the
BMW Concept 8 Series, the dynamically stretched lines, the flat
silhouette and the powerful front and rear ends give a foretaste of
the fascinatingly sporty driving experience.
This impression is confirmed with each lap completed on the proving
ground in Italy. With its around 4 kilometres long oval circuit,
including steep bends, the area situated in the proximity of Rome
offers above all the perfect conditions for high-speed and high
friction coefficient tests. Moreover, the acceleration, braking and
steering behaviour of the new sports car are analysed on circuits,
slalom courses and different road surfaces. The highly demanding test
programme facilitates the targeted harmonisation of all drive and
suspension systems. The new BMW 8 Series Coupe has shown that it
offers maximum agility and precision in highly dynamics situations.
Likewise, the car is also able to meet the highest demands in terms of
supremacy and comfort.
“The test drives under the most severe conditions show that we are
right on target with our concept for the new BMW 8 Series Coupe. The
vehicle dynamics values already achieved are absolutely impressive.
Our customers and fans can look forward to a genuine sports car,” says
Klaus Fröhlich, member of the board of the BMW AG, Development and
Research, who oversees the test programme in Italy.
The high vehicle dynamics potential results from an extraordinary
close connection between motorsports and series production. The new
BMW 8 Series Coupe is being developed parallel to and in close
coordination with the BMW M8 and the BMW M8 GTE racing car. Whilst the
prototype of the production model is undergoing endurance tests, the
teams, which are supported by BMW Motorsport, are currently preparing
in Daytona (USA) for the initial racetrack use of the BMW M8 GTE. On
27/28 January, the BMW M8 GTE will make its racing debut at the
Daytona 24-hour race. In June 2018, it will then participate in the
24-hour race at Le Mans. The knowledge gained there and at numerous
other racing events in the FIA WEC and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar
Championship (IWSC) in North America will directly benefit series
development of the BMW 8 Series Coupe.
Likewise, the know-how gained during training and on the racetrack
will advance development of the new BMW M8. In June 2017, a prototype
of this new model from the BMW M GmbH was already presented during the
24-hour race on the Nürburgring. The Nordschleife of the legendary
racing circuit is also the main proving ground for testing and further
enhancing the new BMW M8.
The BMW Group has defined its strong presence in the luxury segment
as one of the major pillars of its NUMBER ONE NEXT strategy. With
the consistent extension of its model portfolio through the addition
of the new BMW 8 Series Coupe and the new BMW M8, the BMW Group
creates the ideal prerequisites for winning over the most demanding
target groups and convincing them with a unique combination of supreme
dynamics and modern luxury.
*Due to the prototype vehicle status, technical details like fuel
consumption, CO2 emissions etc. will be communicated later this year.