BMW Group set to debut new 8 Series coupe at Le Mans

May 14, 2018

By Automotive Editor

Photo: BMW media website.

The highways may be awash with crossovers, but luxury sports coupes are alive and well at the BMW Group, with the debut of the new BMW 8 Series Coupe set for Le Mans on June 15, the eve of the 2018 edition of the legendary 24-hour long-distance race.

The production model of the new luxury sports car was developed parallel to the BMW M8 GTE, which will race at Le Mans the next day, marking the return of BMW Motorsport to Le Mans for the first time since 2011.

In the second round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) 2018, BMW will be fielding two BMW M8 GTEs. These racing cars already demonstrated their potential at the season opener in Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, and the US-American IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

The rollout of the racing version at Le Mans will be followed by debut of the production model, featuring drive and suspension technology benefiting from motorsports experience—particularly in the new BMW M850i xDrive Coupe, equipped with a new V8 engine, intelligent four-wheel drive, controlled rear axle differential lock, Integral Active Steering, adaptive M suspension technology featuring Active Roll Stabilization, and 20-inch light alloy wheels boasting high-performance tires.

“There isn’t be a better setting for the world premiere of the new BMW 8 Series Coupe than the 24-hour race at Le Mans,” said Klaus Fröhlich, board member of the BMW AG, Development. “The race is a pure demonstration of passion, dynamics and long-distance capability. These characteristics define our new sports car in a special way.”