[Jason]

Autocar resurrects a long running rumor by claiming that the BMW 8 Series will return in 2020 as BMW's new flagship model and to compete with the S-Class Coupe and Bentley Continental GT.

The new 8 Series, tentatively due in 2020, is planned to be a technological flagship with driveline components, multi-material architecture, electrical system and connectivity solutions closely related to those used by the recently introduced sixth-generation 7 Series. It will be built at BMW’s Dingolfing factory in Germany from 2020, according to sources with knowledge of the German car maker’s future production plans.

While shrouded in secrecy, insiders at BMW’s R&D centre in Munich suggest that two differing layouts for the 8 Series have already been put before BMW chairman Harald Krueger, who is personally driving plans to extend the BMW line-up to include additional luxury models.

The first adopts a four-door layout and is described as being “similar in concept to the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé only bigger and nobler in appearance”. An alternative layout calls for a more classic two-door coupé and cabriolet pairing.

A final decision on which direction BMW will take is expected to be officially showcased in a concept of the 8 Series in 2018.

Among the reasons behind Krueger’s push to extend BMW’s reach at the upper end of its line-up is the continued success and profitability of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and its various derivatives in key markets such as the USA and China.

Mercedes-Benz managed to shift more than 125,000 S-class models in 2015. This compares with 36,364 sales of the BMW 7 Series.

With the introduction of the new sixth-generation model, BMW expects 7 Series sales to increase to around 70,000 in 2016, although officials acknowledge it will still trail the Mercedes-Benz S-Class for overall sales this year.

Internal studies carried out by BMW suggest Mercedes-Benz earns up to 30,000 euros on each S-Class model it sells. The difference in worldwide sales volumes means Mercedes-Benz earns up to 1 billion euros more than BMW with the S-Class compared to the 7 Series.

“With the decision to bring back the 8 Series, Krueger is looking at a potentially lucrative revenue stream with high profitability on a per unit basis,” a BMW senior manager revealed to Autocar. It was also suggested that pricing of the new car would distance it from Rolls-Royce models.

Rumours of a return for the 8 Series name stretch back to 2010, but bosses officially denied that any plans to bring back the nameplate existed in 2013, when the German firm unveiled the Pininfarina-designed Gran Lusso concept. The original BMW 8 Series was built from 1989 to 1999 as a two-door coupé.

[TBN54]

Interesting.

[///mawana]

Please make it happen!

[bortnedrick]

Just 2 days ago I was feeling bored/nostalgic so I was binging 8 series videos and now this! Serendipity?

[M3 Adjuster]

Wow. Amazing to see how much profit Benz makes on S class per vehicle. As much as an entire 320 at retail lol

[JNoSol]

This would be awesome.

[s0ul]

Only if it comes with an M8 supercar or M9.

[bmwmnation]

Can we have a supercar already...

[alex-e92]

I wish they would team up with McLaren again and make another F1.

[professor_yo]

If this is real, they better sport that thing out!!! Because Merc's S-Class coupe is something like a monster. It's needs to walk the ever so fine line of sportiness/elegance..that's gonna be a tough job for the designers. Good luck!

[deemo319]

Originally Posted by s0ul

Only if it comes with an M8 supercar or M9.

It wouldn't be a supercar. If the car is conceived, designed and built to be at the upper reaches of the product range it will be a GT car.

Taking a GT car and trying to make it in to something it was never intended to be never works.

The M8 will have serious exotic car performance but it wouldn't be a supercar. BMW learned that lesson with the stunted development of the last E31 M8. It was deemed it would have cost too much for its segment.

This is BMW just developing an actual successor to the E31 8 Series and going after that very lucrative segment they discovered with their due diligence with the market demographics and psychographics from the mid-eighties of the Mercedes-Benz Coupe customer.

[YungDro]

thread closed....

[YungDro]

thread closed....

[professor_yo]

Originally Posted by YungDro

S class designer admitted he got his ideas from the 6 series lol...

Lol. Welp...I guess BMW designers can do the same when looking for their inspiration for the would be 8.

[s0ul]

Originally Posted by deemo319

It wouldn't be a supercar. If the car is conceived, designed and built to be at the upper reaches of the product range it will be a GT car.

Taking a GT car and trying to make it in to something it was never intended to be never works.

The M8 will have serious exotic car performance but it wouldn't be a supercar. BMW learned that lesson with the stunted development of the last E31 M8. It was deemed it would have cost too much for its segment.

This BMW just developing a successor to the E31 8 Series and going after that lucrative segment they discovered with their due diligence on the market demographics and psychographics from the mid-eighties of the Mercedes-Benz Coupe customer.

Who cares. We want a supercar!

[Alen E90]

This is definitely going to happen!

[Law]

Originally Posted by s0ul

Only if it comes with an M8 supercar or M9.

Before they do that there will be an M860i xDrive

[Law]

Originally Posted by s0ul

Who cares. We want a supercar!

“With the decision to bring back the 8 Series, Krueger is looking at a potentially lucrative revenue stream with high profitability on a per unit basis,” a BMW senior manager revealed to Autocar.

Based on this quote, its not likely to have a bespoke platform.
My guess is that it would be built off the 7er platform.

If the car is built off the 7-series platform ala S-Class Coupe (from S-Class platform), then by no means will the 8-series be a supercar.

An expensive car? Yes. Luxo-barge? Yes. GT? Yes. Supercar? Nah.

[Alen E90]

Originally Posted by Law

Before they do that there will be an M860i xDrive

I'm pretty sure that before an M860i xDrive there will be an 8 series gran coupe lol!

[bimmermaus650]

yes please!

[SCOTT26]

It won't be an 8er.

[clbmw]

Originally Posted by alex-e92

I wish they would team up with McLaren again and make another F1.

+1 Absolutely agree...


If they can't then why not just borrow the carbon tub after all BMW gave them a V12

This would trump any new car news ever on this forum IMO. But nonetheless still exciting that the 8 is coming back