Summarize

BMW has completed its 8 Series range with this all-new Gran Coupé four-door set to join the existing two door Coupé and Convertible in a range of six-cylinder and V8 models.

Boasting the same engines as the rest of the range, expect two 3-litre straight sixes — the 250kW 500Nm turbo petrol 840i in rear or all-wheel drive for 4.9 second 0-100km/h sprinting in AWD and a 235kW 700Nm turbodiesel 840d good for 100km/h in 5.1 seconds. Add the AWD 385kW 4.4-litre biturbo petrol V8 M850i xDrive Gran Coupé said to blast from rest to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds. 

All turn eight-speed automatics, while the 840i and M850i xDrive get an M Sport rear differential and rear wheel steering is standard on AWD cars and optional on rear-driven models. M fans need not fret — Munich is also expected to launch 440kW M8 and 460kW M8 Competition versions of the sleek new limo later this year.

At a significant 201mm-longer wheelbase, 239mm longer overall, 30mm wider and 66mm taller than its coupé sibling to add space for extra frameless rear doors and limo rear seat space. Gran Coupé replaces the discontinued 6 Series Gran Coupé. 8 Series Gran Coupé also gets a 440-litre traditional 440-litre boot expandable through 40/20/40 split fold-down rear seat back.

Expect the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé in SA later in 2019