BMW 8-Series Coupe Rises From The Grave With Rockin' 523hp Twin Turbo V8

BMW first teased the design direction of the new luxury coupe back in mid-2017 with the Concept 8 Series, and the production models doesn't stray too far from that precedent. There's a wide twin-kidney grille up front (which is flanked by full LED headlights) with a rather large air intake just below. Another set of inlets flank the lower grille. The sides of the vehicle are rather unadorned save for a pair of vents aft of either front wheel. Out back, you'll find attractive LED lights and dual exhausts. The overall look of the vehicle is quite handsome, although it looks a bit like a more refined Ford Mustang if you squint a bit.

BMW will make the 8-Series available with M Sport and M Performance packages. The former features 19-inch allow wheels and a beefed up braking system. The latter adds 20-inch wheels with performance rubber and further tweaks to performance and aero. An adaptive suspension is standard as is four-wheel steering. If you want active sway bars, those will cost you extra.

The interior also sticks very close to the concept with a digital gauge cluster behind the steering wheel and another large display screen atop the center stack. An 11-speaker sound system comes standard, while a Harman Kardon Surround Sound System with 16 speakers is the mid-range choice. But for those that want the top-of-the-line experience, there's a Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System with active 16-channel amplifier and an output of 1,375 watts.

Another nice touch is the BMW Digital Key, which allows you to unlock and start the car with your NFC-equipped smartphone. You simply have to hold your smartphone up to the door handle and it will unlock. Once you place your smartphone on the wireless charging tray, the vehicle can be started with the push of a button on the center console. BMW says that you can share access to the vehicle with up to 5 people.

The primary motivation for the launch model, the M850i xDrive Coupe, will be BMW's 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that generates 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired exclusively to an 8-speed automatic transmission. BMW says that the 4,478-lb beast can hustle from a standstill to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds and is electronically limited to a top speed of 155 mph.

BMW says that the new 8-Series will be available this fall, with pricing to come closer to launch.