7 November 2018

New BMW 8 Series Convertible here next April


When it goes on sale from April 2019 with an OTR price starting at €128,565, BMW’s new 8 Series open-top, four seater Convertible will offer open-top luxury for up to four people, writes Trish Whelan.

Its dimensions match those of the 8 Series Coupe almost exactly. 

It will offer sports car performance and handling, and a spacious interior. Two engines will be offered at launch: a V8 petrol engine in the 530hp BMW M850i xDrive version with a peak torque of 750Nm and a 0-100kph time of 3.9 seconds, and a 3.0 320hp six-cylinder diesel in the BMW 840d xDrive with a peak torque of 700Nm and 0-100kph of 5.2 seconds. Both engines meet the Euro 6d-TEMP standard and channel their power through to the road via an eight-speed Steptronic Sport gearbox and the BMW xDrive all-wheel-drive system. 

The lightweight roof opens and closes in 15 seconds at the touch of a button and when travelling at up to 50kph. With the roof down, the rear end appears extremely flat and low to the road. When it is closed, it sits taut over the interior keeping its coupe-like silhouette. With the soft-top closed, the stowage capacity is 350 litres. 

BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant and adaptive LED headlights are standard. Standard driver assistance systems include a Head-Up Display and Active Guard which comprises the Collision Warning and Pedestrian Warning system with City Braking function. The Parking Assistant includes a rear-view camera.

This 8 Series Convertible will be launched with a choice of one non-metallic and seven metallic exterior paint finishes.