New BMW 8 Series Convertible Lets the Sun Shine In

Published on 05th November 2018 at 11:21
New BMW 8 Series Convertible

BMW’s new 8 Series Convertible is well worth a long look, this latest premium offering from Bavaria, seeking to lure those that can, into the open-top world of luxury motoring. It goes on sale from April 2019, with OTR prices starting from €128,565 for the 840d xDrive and the 850i xDrive at €182,275.

Unquestionably a BMW, the classic bodylines of this soft-top has an exterior length of 4,843 millimetres, is 1,902 millimetres wide and stands 1,339 millimetres tall, with a wheelbase of 2,822-millimetre, plus track widths of 1,619 millimetres up front and 1,642 millimetres at the rear.

8 Series Engines and Transmissions

Two potent engines will be available from launch in March 2019, the BMW M850i, xDrive Convertible, V8, has a CO2 emission rating combined of 229 – 225 grams per kilometre. Customers choosing the BMW 840d xDrive Convertible, with CO2 emissions combined: of 165 – 155 g/km is fitted with a six-cylinder in-line diesel engine developing 235 kW/320 hp.

A 4.4-litre eight-cylinder engine powers the BMW M850i xDrive Convertible, with the soundtrack enhanced by the flap-controlled M sports exhaust system. The engine’s M Performance TwinPower Turbo technology includes two twin-scroll turbochargers with charge air cooling nestling in the V between the cylinder banks, High Precision Injection, VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control and Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing. Developing 530bhp and peak torque of 750 Nm, the V8 can bring the horizon to you with ease.

The new BMW 840d xDrive Convertible gets a 3.0-litre straight-six diesel, with TwinPower Turbo technology comprising multi-stage turbocharging and common-rail direction injection with piezo injectors. The maximum output of 320bhp and peak torque of 680 Nm, provides relaxed cruising at low engine speeds and powerful mid-range push. Both engines meet the Euro 6d-TEMP standard.

Power for both engines is transferred via an eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission and BMW xDrive, with the intelligent all-wheel-drive system tuned to have an appreciably rear-wheel bias and an M Sport differential fitted as standard. The new BMW 8 Series Convertible comes as standard with mixed tyres and Adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers. Thanks to finely metered spring and damping responses, the driver is provided with only relevant information on the road surface. The standard Integral Active Steering reduces the car’s turning circle when manoeuvring, increases agility and optimises poise and assurance when changing lanes and cornering at high speeds.

Outside View

A protruding front apron, with its large air intakes give the car great visual presence as standard on the BMW M850i xDrive Convertible and BMW 840d xDrive Convertible, as part of the optional M Sport package. Adaptive LED Headlights are part of standard specification.

Those crossing country in darkness can choose the optional BMW Laserlight, with its variable road illumination and Selective Beam, which generates a high-beam range of around 600 metres.

The new BMW 8 Series Convertible’s folding roof stands pulls taut over the interior when closed, giving it a coupe-like silhouette. The soft-top, which comes in black as standard but is available in Anthracite Silver effect as an option, opens and closes fully automatically and at the touch of a button in 15 seconds. The hushed roof operation can be activated with the car travelling at up to 50 km/h. When opened, the soft-top stows away under a cover whose surface structure and stitching match those of the instrument panel and interior door/side panel trim, and which features eye-catching domes at the level of the rear seats.

Inside Story

On the inside, the four occupants sit within its leather trimmed, luxury surround, the attention to detail and finish in keeping with the premier status of the Convertible. The multifunction seats fitted as standard in the BMW M850i xDrive Convertible are trimmed in Merino leather with extended features. Both the sports leather steering wheel in the BMW 840d xDrive Convertible and the M leather steering wheel in the BMW M850i xDrive Convertible have multifunction buttons and gearshift paddles.

Standard equipment for the new BMW 8 Series Convertible includes a wind deflector which can be set up in the rear-seat area to prevent unwanted air turbulence when driving with the top down. An option when driving with the top down in cooler weather, the neck warmers whose air outlets, integrated into the front-seat head restraints would suit the Irish chill.

Other optional extras include:

  • Climate seats
  • Heat Comfort package with a heated steering wheel
  • BMW Display Key
  • The standard Harman Kardon Surround Sound System can be upgraded by the Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System
  • Customers can also specify glass applications for selected controls and options from the BMW Individual range.

The rear seat bench in the BMW 8 Series Convertible can be split 50:50 as standard, with both elements folding separately to offer a through-loading facility. When the roof is closed, load capacity is 350 litres.

Wheels & Brakes

Active roll stabilisation is available for the new BMW M850i xDrive Convertible as part of the optional Adaptive M suspension, with standard specification for the BMW M850i xDrive Convertible including extremely powerful M Sport braking system, 20-inch M light-alloy wheels with high-performance tyres. The exterior features in Cerium Grey, illuminated door sill strips with model badges and interior trim strips in stainless steel mesh design.

The optional M Sport package for the BMW 840d xDrive Convertible runs on 19-inch M light-alloy wheels, an M sports exhaust system and illuminated door sill strips with M logo. It is also available with the M Technic Sport Package, which brings 20-inch M light-alloy wheels with high-performance tyres, an even more potent M Sport braking system, the M Sport differential and extended BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line trim. Further scope for individualisation comes in the form of the Chrome Line Exterior and M Carbon Exterior packages.

Driver assistance systems

Comfort and safety standard equipment includes Head-Up Display. Available as optional equipment is the Driving Assistant, which comprises the Collision Warning and Pedestrian Warning system with City Braking function, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Change Warning, Speed Limit Info, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Rear Collision warning.

Among the items on the options list are Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, Driving Assistant Professional (extra features include the Steering and lane control assistant) and BMW Night Vision. Also standard is the Parking Assistant, which includes a rear-view camera and the Reversing Assistant.

BMW Operating System 7.0 and Intelligent Personal Assistant

The new BMW 8 Series Convertible comes as standard with the BMW Live Cockpit Professional, which includes a navigation and multimedia system, a fully digital, high-resolution instrument cluster behind the steering wheel with a screen diagonal of 12.3 inches and a Control Display measuring 10.25 inches across.

The new BMW Operating System 7.0, digital functions are tailored precisely to the driver’s requirements. Drivers can choose from touchscreen functionality via the Control Display, the iDrive Controller, buttons on the steering wheel and voice control.

The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant is activated by the voice prompt “Hey BMW”, this digital companion assists the driver in operating the car’s functions and gains more skills all the time thanks to seamless updates via the Remote Software Upgrade facility.