Upcoming BMW 8 Series Coupe previewed with the Concorso Concept 8 Series

After a teaser , and plenty of spy shots , automaker BMW has finally given its fans and customers worldwide a glimpse into the upcoming 8-Series Coupe. The revival takes off with a BMW Concept 8 Series showcase at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este where the German automaker will showcase its design study for the upcoming production 8 Series Coupe.

Indeed, this one looks different even though it does borrow a few elements from the hybrid i8 sports coupe. The design however is unique and showcases a modern, bolder look that we will expect to see when the BMW 8 Series Coupe is launched next year.

“The number 8 has always represented the pinnacle of sports performance and exclusivity at BMW,” explains Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG Harald Krüger. “The forthcoming BMW 8 Series Coupe will demonstrate that razor-sharp dynamics and modern luxury can go hand-in-hand. 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 design showcases a coupe with a rather aggressive stance, sharp lines accompanied by muscular wheel arches. There are large air intakes on the front apron that lend it a wide appearance and flow into the massive wheel arches on the sides.

In short, it is definitely not the stuff we have come to expect from BMW’s production offerings. And it should be, because this one is purely a design study, so we cannot expect the final production model to looks this sharp and aggressive.

At the rear, there is stylised carbon-fibre diffuser in the lower section of the rear apron. This is accompanied by a large, trapezoidal exhaust tailpipes frame.

Moving to the interiors, it focuses on the essentials, which in this case is the driving experience. It packs in the usual BMW luxuries along with a new grouping of functions into the control clusters that give a cleaner appearance to the interiors.

There’s a fluid transition from the instrument panel to the doors, with similar flow maintained between the centre console and the instrument panel. In short, the driver gets to see the basics, and focus on the driving experience instead.

“The design of the BMW Concept 8 Series provides a fresh interpretation of iconic BMW styling cues,” adds van Hooydonk. “And it also showcases a new approach to the use of forms which is reflected particularly prominently in the car’s surfacing. A handful of crisp lines mark out clear surfaces, and the car’s volumes are powerfully sculpted. Together, these elements make a forceful statement and create a model brimming with character. In short, this is a driver’s car.”

BMW says, that a couple of these design elements are expected to make it to the 8 Series Coupe to be unveiled next year, but for sure we cannot expect it to look identical to the concept.

The 8 Series launch is set to take place in 2018 where BMW will announce a revamped model that has been missing in action since 1999.