The BMW 8 Series and M8 are coming! (AutoExpress)

[Mani59]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

About time!!

I like the thinking about the 6er too!

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/957...de-m8-supercar

The BMW 8 Series is set to return with an all new model to rival the Mercedes S-Class Coupe as a large, luxurious grand tourer.

Trademark applications with the global intellectual property regulators reveal that BMW has already started the basic prep work. In late March it applied to strengthen its control of a string of 8 Series-related names, including 825, 830, 835, 850, 845, 860 and M850.

A BMW insider has confirmed to Auto Express that the move was not merely a case of the company ring-fencing the badges for possible future use, and that it reflects an imminent rejig of BMW’s GT line-up.

BMW’s decision to bring back the 8 Series is due to a change of heart on what the 6 Series needs to be. The Bavarian manufacturer has not considered a rival to the Porsche 911 sports car before, preferring its 6 Series to be a larger, heavier GT. But the arrival of the Mercedes-AMG GT in the same market as the Porsche 911 has signalled new conflict between the big German premium brands, and now BMW wants the 6 Series to be its contender, as a more agile two-seater sports car. It’s that move which will make room for the new 8 Series.



BMW has also applied to register M8, signalling the potential arrival of a production car that was originally considered back in the early nineties. BMW created prototypes with a V12 engine (the motor that would ultimately end up in the McLaren F1) in the original 8 Series, but canned the project due to a perceived lack of customer demand.

The new M8 would give BMW a rival for the likes of the Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe. M division would probably choose to use the twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine, producing around 450bhp, allowing the 7 Series’ V12 engine to be used in high-designation ‘regular’ 8 Series models like the 850 and M860.

[Black Prinz]

Dear BMW AG,

WTF????

The world has spoken, NEED MOAR SUV's.

Signed,

The buying public & shareholders

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by Raj59

About time!!

I like the thinking about the 6er too!

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/957...de-m8-supercar

Even more interesting is the third paragraph (emphasis added):

BMW’s decision to bring back the 8 Series is due to a change of heart on what the 6 Series needs to be. The Bavarian manufacturer has not considered a rival to the Porsche 911 sports car before, preferring its 6 Series to be a larger, heavier GT. But the arrival of the Mercedes-AMG GT in the same market as the Porsche 911 has signalled new conflict between the big German premium brands, and now BMW wants the 6 Series to be its contender, as a more agile two-seater sports car. It’s that move which will make room for the new 8 Series.

So basically:
Z5 = Boxster and (potential) Cayman competitor
6 Series = 911 competitor
8 Series = Panamera / S Class coupe competitor

Rots of ruck, BMW. It ain't gonna be easy.

[AKRAPOVICOWNS]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

Even more interesting is the third paragraph (emphasis added):

BMW’s decision to bring back the 8 Series is due to a change of heart on what the 6 Series needs to be. The Bavarian manufacturer has not considered a rival to the Porsche 911 sports car before, preferring its 6 Series to be a larger, heavier GT. But the arrival of the Mercedes-AMG GT in the same market as the Porsche 911 has signalled new conflict between the big German premium brands, and now BMW wants the 6 Series to be its contender, as a more agile two-seater sports car. It’s that move which will make room for the new 8 Series.

So basically:
Z5 = Boxster and (potential) Cayman competitor
6 Series = 911 competitor
8 Series = Panamera / S Class coupe competitor

Rots of ruck, BMW. It ain't gonna be easy.

Highly doubt bmw would turn the 6er into a 911 competitor. The 6 series is nicely positioned in the line up and would leave a whole in there.

Plus, to compete with the 911/AMG GT, the car would need to be built from the ground up by M, as is the case with these cars.

[mkoesel]

I find it very hard to believe that the next generation 6 Series will be a two-seater. It seems to me that if they wanted a larger two seater, they would call it a Z6, Z7, or Z8. It also seems to me there is room to add an 8 Series above the 2, 4, and 6 while keeping the 6 Series models in the same class they are today.

Now, I would love to see BMW build a car like the Mercedes AMG GT as well, but I don't see that happening. The Z5 is coming of course, but it remains to be seen what they plan for a price-point and performance, especially the M model (S55 or S63?).

[a_bum_bruh]

That M850 going to be a beast

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

I find it very hard to believe that the next generation 6 Series will be a two-seater. It seems to me that if they wanted a larger two seater, they would call it a Z6, Z7, or Z8. It also seems to me there is room to add an 8 Series above the 2, 4, and 6 while keeping the 6 Series models in the same class they are today.

Now, I would love to see BMW build a car like the Mercedes AMG GT as well, but I don't see that happening. The Z5 is coming of course, but it remains to be seen what they plan for a price-point and performance, especially the M model (S55 or S63?).

The 6er is a descendent of the CS/CSi/CSL series which is a four seat Gran Tourer in the classical sense. Even the E24 continued this philosophy as did the E63 and F12. With the latest 6er answering market trends for a more practical Coupe with the Gran Coupe which to all intents and purposes outsells the Coupe and Cabrio by a huge margin. I do not for see this market change.

The new Z5 is the first of models co-developed and pooled resources vehicle with Toyota. It will be a Roadster first followed later by a Coupe which will mirror how BMW place their X models. With the standard core SAV and sportier SAC models.
With the Roadster being Z5 and coupe being Z6.

If you check BMWs naming strategy. They copyright a multiple of numerical lines, especially in regards to emerging markets where they offer X5s with a letter or name before them. Its about renewing and protecting their intellectual property.

Here is the Toyota Twinster of the new Architecture.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

The new Z5 is the first of models co-developed and pooled resources vehicle with Toyota. It will be a Roadster first followed later by a Coupe which will mirror how BMW place their X models. With the Roadster being Z5 and coupe being Z6.

OK, gents: THIS is the big newsflash. SCOTT26 just let slip that there will, in fact, be a coupe version of the Z5. It shall be known as the Z6.

A German Supra! Allllll RIGHTEE then!

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

http://jalopnik.com/bmw-may-be-reviv...ort-1779731600

More proof the 8er is making a comeback.

[Chihuahua]

It's now official: with the announcement of the 9er and this news about the 8er, the next new BMW to be announced will be the 10 series. Too many cars.

[IB M]

Originally Posted by Kyle B

It's now official: with the announcement of the 9er and this news about the 8er, the next new BMW to be announced will be the 10 series. Too many cars.

Hmm ... M10 sort of has a nice ring to it.

[IB M]

It is time for the 8 series to make a comeback including Z8.

[aajami]

The new 6-series shrinking to compete with the AMG GT-S with the 8-series effectively replacing the old 6 makes sense from a product strategy standpoint. Looking forward to both of these new cars.

Edit: Naming convention doesn't make sense, though

[richb811]

Originally Posted by Black Prinz

Dear BMW AG,

WTF????

The world has spoken, NEED MOAR SUV's.

Signed,

The buying public & shareholders

BMW has plenty of those. The X1, X3, X4, X5 & X6 aren't enough for you?

Sadly, this attitude is the one that has pulled BMW away from what makes it unique and so special among OEMs.

[Mspired]

Originally Posted by AKRAPOVICOWNS

Highly doubt bmw would turn the 6er into a 911 competitor. The 6 series is nicely positioned in the line up and would leave a whole in there.

Plus, to compete with the 911/AMG GT, the car would need to be built from the ground up by M, as is the case with these cars.

I think this is definitely quite possible. BMW mentioned a while back that they wanted the next generation M6 and 6 series to shed about 500 lbs.

[RPiM5]

Yes! This confirms the rumors that we've been hearing for a little while now. The next 6-Series should indeed be smaller, yes I said smaller, like in physical dimensions than the current F12/F13, lighter and more sporty to directly compete with the 911. BMW's first true 911-fighter just like the Mercedes AMG-GT/S. The next M6 will compete directly with the Mercedes AMG-GTS and Porsche 911 GT3 maybe. Making the next M6 more of focused sports/supercar which it has never been. It was always a 2 door version of the M5, large, luxurious, comfortable with decent utility. The 8-Series is needed in BMW's line up, this is one that I agree with. I think it's a smart and wonderful move by BMW to make the 8-Series the large GT car, to compete with the S-Class Coupe and maybe even Bentley, while downsizing the 6-Series and M6 to be more of a sports car. The Z-Series, in my opinion, has been BMW's only true Sports Car. If the Z5 and Z6 are done right they will be great too. Would be interesting if there will be an Z5M and a Z6M too. I am only excited because the next M6 is the only car in BMW's future line up that I am excited about. Also an M8 and a baddass looking future Z8 would be very good for BMW's future portfolio too.

[RingMeister01]

The 6er is big, so an 8 series will be a serious whale of a coupe.

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by Black Prinz

Dear BMW AG,

WTF????

The world has spoken, NEED MOAR SUV's.

Signed,

The buying public & shareholders

An X2 and X7 are coming. Building cars and SUVs aren't mutually exclusive...you can build them in tandem.

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by Rich@GTBPerformance

BMW has plenty of those. The X1, X3, X4, X5 & X6 aren't enough for you?

Sadly, this attitude is the one that has pulled BMW away from what makes it unique and so special among OEMs.

Yeah hopefully that never happens to companies like Bentley, Porsche, and Jag.

They'll stay true to their roots right?

[xplosiveg06]

This is going to be interesting. I remember reading somewhere the next generation 6 series grand coupe is essentially what the 8 series is going to become. And the 6gc would be discontinued

[///S65]

Isn't the M4 bigger than 911 and amg gt? It would be bizarre if M6 is smaller than the M4...

[TBN54]

I hope I'm alive for the M23.

Micheal Jordan package