Geneva show: BMW flaunts M8 Gran Coupe

NOT content to let rival Mercedes-AMG steal the high-performance sedan limelight with its GT 4 Door, BMW has ripped the covers off its sleek M8 Gran Coupe at this year’s Geneva motor show.

The M8 Gran Coupe is based on the the Bavarian car-maker’s upcoming new-generation flagship 8 Series that was previewed with a concept in May last year and is on track for an international release in 2019 with an Australian on-sale date expected thereafter.

Sporting a sleek silhouette and flowing roofline, the M8 Gran Coupe is punctuated by sculpted panel work, muscular rear haunches and an aggressive front fascia.

BMW’s signature kidney grille sits proudly up front, flanked by two slender headlights that incorporate the brand’s unique halo lighting signature, while the front bumper features large intakes and a chiselled design not unlike the smaller M2.

A bulging bonnet, arch-filling wheels, front fender vents and a steeply raked windshield complete the M8 Gran Coupe’s menacing road presence.

BMW’s latest showcar also sports a narrowing window profile and prominent door contours that draw the eye rearward where the upswept shoulder line resolves at an integrated rear spoiler.

The pumped-up rear wheelarches “offer a visual expression of the power working through the rear axle”, according to BMW, while the rear features bumper-integrated vents, slim tail-lights and quad exhaust tips.

On its way to production form though, the M8 Gran Coupe will likely lose its carbon-fibre reinforced plastic roof and slim side-view mirrors, but also gain a set of handles for all four doors.

Gold highlights are used throughout, including on the wheels, front grille surround, window outlines, exhaust outlets and brake callipers – the latter replacing the M brand’s signature blue – to contrast the green paintwork, called Saleve Vert, in the swoopy show car.

BMW Group Design senior vice-president Adrian van Hooydonk said the new 8 Series will serve as the top-of-the-range model in BMW’s stable.

“The BMW 8 Series will take over as the new flagship model of the BMW line-up and, as such, combines unsurpassed sportiness and elegance,” he said.

“The BMW Concept M8 Gran Coupe offers a look ahead to the most exotic and alluring variant of the new BMW 8 Series.”

Set to compete directly against the likes of the Mercedes-Benz CLS and Audi A7, BMW will position the 8 Series as a blend of luxury and performance, according to M and i Design vice-president Domagoj Dukec.

“The BMW Concept M8 Gran Coupe is designed to stir things up, to polarise – it should move you emotionally,” he said.

“With this car we want to reach people who are looking for something special and who to stand out from the crowd. Here, BMW M is unmistakably taking luxury out of its comfort zone.”