Last summer BMW introduced its new and luxurious flagship, the BMW 8 Series Coupe, and now the Bavarian manufacturer shows for the first time the convertible version or BMW 8 Series Cabrio, which will be in dealerships in the month of March 2019 with two interesting motorizations.
We heard of a convertible luxury segment that by dimensions is practically traced to the Series 8 coupe, with 4.85 meters long -2.82 meters of battle-, 1.9 meters wide and 1.34 meters high. At the aesthetic level, it mixes sporting traits with the utmost elegance and adaptive LED lights are standard, although BMW’s laser headlights are optionally available.
As in all Cabrio, its hood is one of its hallmarks. Of series is black, although it can be silver in option. It is a multi-layered cloth hood, which promises a great acoustic isolation, and that opens and closes automatically and in only 15 seconds, being able to start up to a speed of 50 km/h.
The hood has bright black bezels flush with the edges of the windows and the cover that hides the hood itself when folded has a surface and seams in colors to match those of the interior (dashboard, doors, etc. …) The wind deflector is also standard – it is placed between the rear seats – which improves passenger comfort by avoiding air turbulence.
V8 petrol or six cylinders diesel
At the time of launch, BMW will offer only two engines, one petrol, and one diesel, both Euro6d-TEMP and associated with an automatic transmission and all-wheel drive xDrive, which are the following:
- BMW M850i xDrive: The petrol version is also the most powerful in the range, based on a 4.4-liter V8 twin-turbo block with 530 hp and a maximum torque of 750 Nm, associated with an eight-speed Steptronic gearbox. Approves an average consumption of between 9.9 and 10 liters per hundred kilometers and its benefits are first class; 0-100 km / h in 3.9 seconds and 250 km / h
- BMW 840d xDrive: The turbodiesel option has a 3.0-liter six-cylinder in-line diesel engine, with 320 hp and a maximum torque of 680 Nm. There is also a Steptronic eight-ratio automatic transmission, but in this case, the approved consumption moves between 5.9 and 6.3 liters per hundred kilometers. Finally, it accelerates from 0 to 100 km / h in 5.2 seconds and reaches 250 km / h.
As is logical, the convertible has additional structural reinforcements with respect to the Coupe (turret bars, cross-section in the low, etc …), so it gains some weight. It also includes a rollover protection system by means of two aluminum bars behind the rear headrests, which are deployed if there is a risk of tipping over.
Also standard are the adaptive M chassis with piloted shock absorbers, 19-inch wheels (245/40 R19 and 275/35 R19), the M Sport electronic control differential or the integral active steering (rear steering axle), and in the case of the M850i xDrive the factory equipment includes M sports brakes, M alloy wheels and 20 inches(245/35 R20 and 275/30 R20) or exterior details in Cerium gray.
For its part, the 840d xDrive offers an M sports package that adds 19-inch M tires, M sports exhaust or backlit M logos on door thresholds, as well as the M Technic package, with 20-inch wheels, M sports brakes (395 mm discs), M sports differential and shiny black trim, or an outer package with carbon details.
Also interesting is the so-called M Adaptive Professional chassis which features stabilization of the body roll, by electric motors in both axes that compensate the movements of the same.
High-quality digital interior
Of course, the cabin does not lack class, thanks to sports seats with electric adjustment, leather upholstery and steering wheel (which also covers the dashboard and the upper parts of the doors) or decorative moldings, which in gasoline look a mesh finish in stainless steel and in darkened aluminum mesh diesel, either in ash wood or in piano black (optional).
Among the most interesting options include heated headrests, heated seats, wireless charger for smartphones, heated steering wheel, knobs finished in Crafted Clarity glass, or a Bowers & Wilkins sound system with 12 speakers, instead of the standard Harman Kardon, also 12 speakers.
It also equips the BMW Live Cockpit Professional with a navigator, digital instrumentation (with 12.3-inch and 10.25-inch screens), voice recognition and an intelligent assistant “Hello BMW”. The brand also announces a trunk of 350 liters capacity with the hood closed, as well as a folding backrest in 50:50 ratio.
Conclusion
As far as safety systems are concerned, the 8 Series Cabrio has Head-Up Display, collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane change warning, cross traffic alert, signal reader, parking attendant with camera reversing, rear collision warning, etc … Optionally there is from night vision BMW Night Vision to adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go function.
