2022 BMW 8 Series: New updates for the luxury Coupé, Convertible, and Gran Coupé

The BMW 8 Series has received a range overhaul, giving the luxury sports cars new design, tech, and performance enhancements. The BMW 8 Series Coupé, Convertible, and Gran Coupé have been refined with stronger aesthetics and powerful driving capabilities.  

Notable changes have been made to the luxury 8 Series resulting in three body styles, each with its own sporty flair.

Elegant exterior

BMW 8 Series Coupé

The Coupé embodies the classic two-door body shape in the tradition of the manufacturer’s legendary sports cars. It features a low-slung and elongated silhouette with a roofline that flows neatly into the rear.

The design incorporates a flared shoulder section and wide track. While its roof, optionally made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP), features a central indentation reminiscent of the “double bubble” in classic racing cars.

BMW 8 Series Convertible

The Convertible combines sporty performance with the distinctive appeal of open-top driving. It also features a tight-fitting tension-bar soft top.

The soft top lies flat in its compartment when stowed. This leaves passengers surrounded by coherently designed surfaces that extend from the dashboard to the door sills and from the rear to the soft-top compartment.

Its soft top can be opened or closed automatically in 15 seconds at the touch of a button.

BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé

The 8 Series is rounded off with the four-door Gran Coupé model featuring its dynamic redesign and higher levels of specifications.

In addition, the exterior design of the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé also has unique side sections and rear. Its wheelbase is 201mm longer than that of the BMW 8 Series Coupé at 3,023mm.

Additional exterior features

The BMW Iconic Glow kidney grille premiers for the very first time on the 8 Series, which is standard on all model variants. New exterior paint finishes, Adaptive LED headlights and the anti-dazzle high-beam assistant come as standard in all three cars.

As an optional extra, the BMW Laserlights are offered via the Visibility Pack together with Shadowline which darkens the brow of the lens for better road presence.

There’s a choice of four new exterior body colours including Skyscraper Grey, San Remo Green, M Portimao Blue and Individual Frozen Tanzanite Blue. Also available are additional versions of the standard 20-inch M light alloy wheels.

Luxury interior

Multifunction seats and BMW Individual Merino leather upholstery with galvanic controls is now standard in all model variants.

One defining element of the interior design is its forward-facing lines. This is further accentuated by the standard Ambient Lighting, which illuminates the contours of the dashboard and door sills.

An M leather steering wheel equipped with multifunction buttons comes as standard in the new BMW 8 Series. The steering wheel also plays host to shift paddles for manual gear selection of the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission.

In the BMW M850i models, the M leather steering wheel features M tricolour decorative stitching which was first seen on the BMW M8. The wide console, which separates the driver and front passenger areas as it rises towards the dashboard, helps create a sporty atmosphere.

In the BMW 8 Series Coupé, as well as Convertible, there are two rear seats. The second row of the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé offers increased legroom and a third seat too. The Gran Coupe also has four-zone air conditioning and front/rear heated seats.

The M Sports package, which is standard in all models of the new BMW 8 Series, gives the interior an aura that is geared towards driving pleasure. Anthracite-coloured M roof liner, the M pedals in stainless steel and M specific floor mats are also included as standard.

The illuminated door sill trims and the display in the instrument cluster feature the BMW M Automobile model inscription “M850i” and the M logo respectively.

In conjunction with the M Sports Pro Pack for the six-cylinder models and the M Performance Package that is standard for the eight-cylinder models, the interior design is complemented with black seat belts bearing accent stripes in the BMW M colours.

Pro connectivity

Convenience and connectivity are further optimised with the BMW Live Cockpit Professional system. It consists of a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster and control display behind the steering wheel.

Included is the online-based BMW Maps navigation system, the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, and the BMW Head-Up Display and wireless smartphone integration.

The standard equipment includes the uprated Harmon/Kardon speaker system and comfort access, underscoring the luxurious character of the new BMW 8 Series.

The choice of standard and optional systems for automated driving and parking is also extensive. The new BMW 8 Series features Parking Assistant as standard, with a rear-view camera, Active PDC and Reverse Assistant. The optional Parking Assistant Plus offers surround view, Remote view 3D and Drive Recorder.

Motorists will also have the choice for optional Driving Assistant Professional which includes Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function plus traffic light recognition. Plus, automatic Speed Limit Assist, and steering and lane guidance.

Engine options

The BMW 840d xDrive variant across all three body-styles has been withdrawn from offer in the UK, leaving a choice of either the range-topping V8 M850i xDrive or the six-cylinder 40i engines. Both provide effortless performance. At the top of the new model range are the BMW M850i xDrive Coupé, Convertible, and Gran Coupé. These models benefit from BMW’s signature xDrive all-wheel drive system.

The 333hp 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder petrol engine in the BMW 840i Coupé, Convertible, and Gran Coupé is twinned with classic rear-wheel drive propulsion.

To mark the 50th anniversary of BMW M, all M850i xDrive models will have the option of the classic “BMW Motorsport” badge applied to the bonnet, tailgate and wheel hubs. With its staggered semicircles in blue, purple and red, the anniversary badging is reminiscent of the original BMW M GmbH trademark that was first used on racing cars in 1973.

The new BMW 8 Series is priced from £72,225 RPP and is available to order now, with the first deliveries due this Spring.