[IS3andME]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

The existing GC and GT models are essentially being combined from a product perspective. They opted to go with the even numbered names instead of the odd numbered ones. Furthermore, unfortunately - though we should wait until the final reveal to pass judgement - they also appear to be leaning toward the more homely GT aesthetic than the elegant GC one.

I should note here, with the benefit of trying to keep on topic to boot, that the 8 Series four (or perhaps five) door model is likely to retain the graceful form of the outgoing 6GC.



The G29 will be, unless something entirely unexpected occurs, a Z4. And, regardless of the name, it's not a 911 competitor. You don't jump into the ring against the 911 with a 190hp 4 cylinder engine in the entry level (non-US) model. That strategy, nor anything else they come up with other than possibly a potential M model, is not even going to get this car to register on 918 buyer's radar, nevermind a 911. This is an SLC - or perhaps TT if you squint a little - equivalent.

Thanks for the info and the clarification.
Now that you point out the facts about Z-whaever, it makes sense. It's just that they have a foggy logic for the GT name. Even the logic behind calling a wagon-hatch back a GT is flawed. GT is short for Gran Turismo, which is like the 6 series/M6, CL/S Class Coupe, E Class Coupe, Maserati Gran Turismo (it has it in its name), Bentley Continental GT, Aston Martin DB9/DB11, and the more sporty supercar range of the Ferrari 550/575, 599, F12/812.

Thanks for making my head hurt now.
But I will say this, the M8 seems to be shaping up to be a beast!

[e92ben]

Originally Posted by SliChillax

Don't think it's the M8. Might be the M850i or M860i whatever they call it. Those wheels and brakes don't seem like they come from a proper M car. Also it was spinning only one wheel in the video so no LSD I assume which means not the M8.

Maybe it's the wierd m-xdrive lol

[AKRAPOVICOWNS]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

The existing GC and GT models are essentially being combined from a product perspective. They opted to go with the even numbered names instead of the odd numbered ones. Furthermore, unfortunately - though we should wait until the final reveal to pass judgement - they also appear to be leaning toward the more homely GT aesthetic than the elegant GC one.

I should note here, with the benefit of trying to keep on topic to boot, that the 8 Series four (or perhaps five) door model is likely to retain the graceful form of the outgoing 6GC.

The G29 will be, unless something entirely unexpected occurs, a Z4. And, regardless of the name, it's not a 911 competitor. You don't jump into the ring against the 911 with a 190hp 4 cylinder engine in the entry level (non-US) model. That strategy, nor anything else they come up with other than possibly a potential M model, is not even going to get this car to register on 918 buyer's radar, nevermind a 911. This is an SLC - or perhaps TT if you squint a little - equivalent.

The 6GT its a 5GT..doesn't matter if they will blend the GC with GT. The "current" 6GC already looks better than the 5er, só even with they made a full on GC out of the 5 series, it would still be uglier than the current 6GC.

911 fighter would have to be built by the ground up by M, just like the AMG GT is from AMG.

After the E31 came the Z8..So now that we are getting the 8er again I have hope for a successor for that model to come in later..like the 507, it looks stunning until now. And it actually could be even a 911 fighter if it carries a carbon tube.

Scott also mentioned that the 6er will be repositioned as it is leaving a gap in the line up, so we shall see if it's true and how it plays out.

Although the 8er didn't turn out as exotic as the concept, as it should've, if they are aiming at that price point, I still bet the M8 will be sick.

At least we can hope for some cool stuff out of BMW, which is focusing on heavy and luxury models lately.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

The 6GT is slated for debut soon to replace the 5GT which is about to end production. The current F12, F13, and F06 6 Series have no known successors under the 6 Series nameplate. Their spiritual successors will come in the form of new coresponding 8 Series models.

So the 6 series moves into the GT/GC zone ... basically the 5 is the big family sedan, the 6 is the big family wagon thing. The 8 picks up the big sport coupe niche, and this iteration has taken the opportunity to be smaller than the outgoing 6 but larger than the M4.

Originally Posted by IS3andME

If they called it a 6 series, which was still not a sports car (even in M6 guise) but a Gran Turismo car and was hefty, we'd be wowed. And say that it was such a visual departure from last gen 6 series and the 5 series.

Mmmm nope. Still not feelin it, but I wasn't a 6 buyer either.

[Eau_Rouge111]

If its anything less than a V12 twin turbo to compete with Bentley or Merc...not interesting

[3s-a-charm]

Originally Posted by JustChris

Great point, it always annoying they follow on so late sometimes.

Good thought. By releasing M-series models first the standard vehicles would be seen to contain DNA from the M-cars rather than the perception of what's happening now - the M-cars are basically modified standard cars.

[BMWRL]

The reason why production is so far along on the M8 is because this is really a 6er. All they're doing is calling it an 8er so they can charge you more. It's too bad they're going to kill the 6 series name by using it on the ugly 5GT. The 6 series has been BMWs only good looking model. It's the only one that has/had a unique look to all the other boring/bland in their lineup besides the i cars. BMW needs help, really bad.

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by Advevo

https://youtu.be/1E6IfdUJn6s

[vladberca]

So we shall expect the new M8 being lighter and more performance oriented than the actual M6?
The point of a 6 GT and an X6 can't be easy understood. 😯

[Jason]

Our live pics from the M Festival

BMW M8 Prototype at M Festival

[emulajavi]

Thanks for the pics!


It seems that the grilles will be done right! Not the awful upside down ones of the 8 Series Concept and the X2!!

It's going to be gorgeous !!

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by emulajavi

Thanks for the pics!


It seems that the grilles will be done right! Not the awful upside down ones of the 8 Series Concept and the X2!!

It's going to be gorgeous !!

It does indeed appear to be lower and sleeker than the m6 GC and the M4 in the track photos.

[redux]

Originally Posted by Jason

[size=4]BMW M8.


Development is also underway of a race-spec car – the BMW M8 GTE – to spearhead the return of BMW Motorsport to Le Mans: “The BMW M8 GTE development programme for our Le Mans comeback is in full swing,” says BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “Developing a new racing car is always exciting, and in the case of the BMW M8 GTE the anticipation is that much greater still. We can’t reveal any pictures yet, but I can promise you that the BMW M8 GTE will look spectacular. We are planning an initial roll-out for the first half of this year and are looking at giving the car its race debut in the Daytona 24 Hours in late January 2018.”

I see BMW's will be sticking their racing mantra of "choose the wrong platform and apply waivers until it's competitive". Interest in this car, 0. Willingness to buy this car, 0. Want for a new clown shoe, I'd buy 2. It's as if BMW learned from the Field of Dreams situation with the 1M. "If you build it, they will come" with money in hand and not giving a damn if promised production numbers tripled along the way.

[r20]

Originally Posted by marcva

You mean the nasty paint job? I didn't get much if an impression, unless you're extrapolating from the concept car..

No I meant size and presence.

Seems so similar to 6.

I hope with 8 I can put two adults in the back comfortably like s coupe.

[yaymitch]

It looks like a large S5. At least from the side. Lines look very similar.

[TruthGuY]

I'm really wondering the starting price for this puppy

[Cuz5150]

A lot of Hype on this car, i just don't see it..............
BMW cancels the 6 series and rolls this 8 series out.

[3M TAPE]

I don't know.. Just another coupe version of the F90 M5.

[filet.M2c]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but has BMW ever done an official unveiling of a test mule with the model designation plastered on the front of the car? I felt like all the test mules up until this point have been secretive and behind the scenes, with the images being at the ring or someone catching one in passing... so why the change?

[TheBingoBalls]

I'm having the same reservations as many here. Initially, I thought the 8er was going to be a true competitor to the S-Class Coupe - a BMW that will take what the 7er provided and add on top of it but the more I read, it seems like it's just the successor to the F12/F13 but with a new name plate. I think the current 6er is by far the best looking BMW on the market today but I was really excited to see if BMW would truly compete in the big luxury coupe space because it seems like Mercedes is just taking the segment even if they only sell a couple of thousand.

It's a shame because I feel like BMW wasted so much time/opportunity in coming out with a GL/GLS competitor and this feels like the same situation. I get that BMW has the Rolls Royce Wraith/Dawn but that's still significantly more expensive than the S-Class Coupe, surely BMW could come with something that undercuts the Wraith/Dawn in price without wandering into Rolls Royce territory.

[AKRAPOVICOWNS]

Its time for a rendering

[advantage20]

Originally Posted by jxr006

No I meant size and presence.

Seems so similar to 6.

I hope with 8 I can put two adults in the back comfortably like s coupe.

Very certainly not going to happen. Despite being called 8 Series and theoretically going after the S Coupé, it is a significantly shorter (approx. 19cm) vehicle than the S Coupé, which must have consequences on the rear passenger room. Apparently BMW admits it is as a 2+2, and you can actually guess from the photos. So what would de facto be a new 6 Series from a technical, dimension and general philosophy point of view, but made to look more upmarket and exclusive. Therefore not a true 2 door large 4 seat GT cruiser like the S Coupé. The 8 Gran Coupé will bring the extra rear room but bundled with 2 extra doors.

Now the 5cm that the 8 lost in length compared to the 6 does not mean the 8 will have less rear leg room than the 6, as there might very likely have been work done about the packaging (slimmer front seats, shorter overhangs...). But let's see how the lower roof (vs current 6), the straight roofline slope (vs rounded on the S Coupé) and the strong tapering of the passenger compartment towards the rear of the vehicle, which allow for this striking fastback profile and these sexy Aston Martin haunches, will affect rear head room and shoulder room. Anyway it is pretty evident that BMW did not choose to compete against the S Coupé directly, but with a polarized double offer of either a sporty 2 door Coupé or a roomier 4 door Gran Coupé.

However there is still a potential issue with this upmarket move of the 8 vs the outgoing 6 while still technically being a 6: while the 2 door 8 Coupé might justify the price bump over the current 6 with its more sporty and exclusive nature, the 4 door 8 GC in all likelihood will be priced as high as the AMG GT4, Panamera, potentially A9 SB, yet will likely offer as 'little' interior room as the cheaper CLS or A7 SB (the current 6 GC already is significantly more expensive than the CLS and A7 SB). In other words, the 8 GC will probably be marketed as an uber 7 Series and be priced like the large Panamera and GT4, yet will offer a smaller interior space similar to the cheaper CLS and A7 SB, since the 2 door 8 Series, being based on the 5 rather than the 7, is already pretty short to begin with. I'm not sure that BMW has what it takes to justify this price/room ratio gap compared to Merc, Audi, Porsche...