2019 BMW 8 Series: World Premiere in Los Angeles
The 8 Series Cabriolet is slated to hit Canadian BMW dealerships in March 2019. The first model to launch will be the M850i xDrive, powered by a 4.4-litre turbocharged V8 that produces 523 horsepower and 553 lb.-ft. of torque.
With a $131,500 price tag, this vehicle gives BMW an edge over the direct competition, namely Mercedes-Benz S-Class convertibles. M variants of the 8 Series Coupe and Cabriolet will follow in 2019 as 2020 models. Clearly, BMW has mastered the art of offering more exclusive, high-performance—and more expensive— versions of its most advanced models.
Following in the footsteps of the 8 Series Coupe, the Cabriolet version uses the same soft top that we saw in the 6 Series Cabriolet (which it is replacing). As a result, it only weighs 125 kilograms more than the Coupe. With the touch of a button, the roof opens and closes in 15 seconds, even when the car is in motion, as long as its speed doesn’t exceed 50 km/hour.
Style-wise, the 8 Series Convertible is even more striking than the Coupe, though the 8 Series’ silhouette was already suited for a convertible. It features oversized front air intakes, a wide-bottomed kidney-shaped grille, adaptive LED headlamps with Laserlight technology, and sculpted sides, all of which come together to enhance the elegant and sporty character of this vehicle, which is quickly becoming one of BMW’s flagship models.
New iDrive Interface
The Cabriolet’s cabin is identical to the Coupe’s, with the exception of the control knob for the power soft top and the vents in the headrests.
The centre console is very large and there are two sizeable colour displays—one that replaces the traditional instrument panel and another that serves as an interface for the latest-gen iDrive system, also found in the new X5, X7 and 3 Series. It comes with customizable menus. Like its rivals, this vehicle doesn’t offer much space for occupants in the rear, making the 8 Series Cabriolet a 2+2 model rather than a real four-seater.
0-100 in 3.9 Seconds
According to BMW, the 8 Series Cabriolet can race from 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds when equipped with the updated 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 and eight-speed automatic transmission. In ideal conditions, the standard all-wheel drive system transmits most of the torque to the rear wheels to enhance the car’s sporty personality. In addition, the electronically controlled rear differential is lockable through the Dynamic Stability Control system.
The Adaptive M Suspension with electronically controlled shock absorbers also comes standard. It lets you choose from several modes, including Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus. Active steering is also part of the offer. By combining the front wheels’ electromechanical steering and the rear axles’ variable steering ratio, it reduces the turning radius when manoeuvring at low speeds, improves agility and stability at moderate speeds, and optimizes stability when changing lanes and cornering at high speeds.
The New Definition of Luxury
In the past, massive sedans represented the pinnacle of luxury and refinement for virtually all automakers, but today coupes, cabriolets and SUVs have become the latest symbols of luxury. The 8 Series and new X7 are great examples of how this trend has evolved.