Powerful, thrilling new 8 Series set to captivate bimmer fans

This summer, the all-new BMW 8 Series Coupe marks the rollout of a completely new 8 series - with the 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Gran Coupe and three corresponding M models waiting to scorch the roads.

The BMW Concept 8 Series car, unveiled mid last year which previewed the new 8 Series Coupe launch, revealed much of what is to come.

Its exterior and interior designs brought together the past and the future.

"The number 8 has always represented the pinnacle of sports performance and exclusivity at BMW," said Harald Krueger, chairman of the board of management of BMW AG.

"The forthcoming BMW 8 Series Coupe will demonstrate that razor-sharp dynamics and modern luxury can go hand-in-hand," he added.

"This will be the next model in the expansion of our luxury-car offering and will raise the benchmark for coupes in the segment. In the process, we will strengthen our claim to leadership in the luxury class."

The BMW Concept 8 Series car is immediately recognizable as a BMW, but also displays new design ideas and form-building techniques. The classic BMW template has a fresh interpretation, taking the company's design language in a different direction.

A striking, sporty front-end graphic is formed by a large kidney grille, slim twin headlights and large air intakes. The two kidneys are very low to the road and spread broadly across the front end.

The kidneys are brought together by an unbroken frame to form a single large element.

The grille widens as it extends downwards, emphasizing the dynamic character. Together with super-slim laser headlights and the hexagonal take on the "twin circular" theme, it brings a focused look to the front end.

The large side air intakes in the front apron intensify the car's wide, sporting stance on the road and promise a pure dynamic experience.

The carbon-fiber element between them underlines the car's sporty, high-performance character.

"The design of the BMW Concept 8 Series provides a fresh interpretation of iconic BMW styling cues, and it also showcases a new approach to the use of form which is reflected particularly prominently in the car's surfacing," said Adrian van Hooydonk, senior vice-president BMW Group Design.

The silhouette of the BMW Concept 8 Series spreads low and powerfully over the road.

The interplay of a long bonnet and flowing roofline brings dynamic allure to the car's flanks, while the striking upward sweep of the concept's trailing edge provides a crisp conclusion to the car's rearward flow and adds another sporting flourish.

Within the car's silhouette, the refreshingly clean yet also dramatic arrangement of surfaces and forms catches the eye and creates a crisp, modern look. The sharply drawn lines coursing over taut volumes represent a visual promise of the vividly dynamic driving experience that awaits.

Further back, the eye is guided to the pronounced flaring above the rear wheels. The flanks as a whole draw attention to a new aspect of BMW's expertise in the execution of surfaces.

Skillfully molded line sources and flowing highlights accentuate the athletic contours of the BMW Concept 8 Series. And the exclusively developed exterior paint finish Barcelona Grey Liquid - greyish - blue with highly iridescent pigments - shows off the surfacing to optimum effect.

The 21-inch large light-alloy wheels feature a sporty and exclusive multi-spoke design and aero elements, generate visual depth and set the seal on the compelling appearance of the car when viewed in profile.

Emotional surfacing also dominates at the rear of the BMW Concept 8 Series, creating a low, highly sculpted tail with maximum width-enhancing effect.

The slim, stretched-out rear lights extend far into the sides of the car and provide a connection between the rear and flanks.

The lights themselves take the form of L-shaped blades and project out from the rear.

The tail lights emphasis the width of the car and its muscular stance on the road, and their slender form gives the rear an ultra-sporty and modern flavor.

"It is a luxurious sports car which embodies both unadulterated dynamics and modern luxury like arguably no other. For me, it's a slice of pure automotive fascination," said van Hooydonk.

"A handful of crisp lines mark out clear surfaces, and the car's volumes are powerfully sculpted," he added.

"Together, these elements make a forceful statement and create a model brimming with character. In short, this is a driver's car."

(China Daily 04/25/2018 page5)