Eight BMW 850i First Editions for Australia

JUST eight Australian customers will have the chance to get their hands on a special version of BMW’s all-new sports flagship, the M850i xDrive coupe.

The run will be limited to 400 examples for worldwide consumption, with production starting at BMW’s Dingolfing plant in Germany in April.

Although it is called First Edition, stocks of this variant are not expected to arrive in Australia until mid-year – a couple of months after the regular new-generation 8 Series that goes on sale in Australia in April.

The First Edition is mechanically identical to the standard version with its 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 that puts 390kW of power and 750Nm of torque to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

What sets it apart from the mob is a plethora of high-end finishes that include a unique metallic paint job – Barcelona Blue – offset by high-gloss black trim, including for the kidney grille.

The 20-inch alloy wheels – in a Y-spoke design from the M catalogue – are also finished in black gloss paint. If the buyer wants even more black, they can fork out extra for the M Carbon roof and body package.

The black theme continues inside with piano black trim, although upholstery can be had in a variety of shades, including a white/blue Merino leather. This includes a blue roof liner in Alcantara.

Each car will be individually numbered from 1 to 400, with the number displayed on the console.

Australian pricing will be announced closer to launch but expect it to be higher than the $272,900 (plus on-roads) of the standard M850i xDrive coupe.

Combined fuel consumption of the European version is said to be 9.8 litres per 100km.

Performance figures for the First Edition have not been specified, but because it is little different from the regular M850i xDrive coupe, expect it to dash from zero to 100km/h in a handsome 3.7 seconds.

So far, there is no word on a First Edition version of the convertible, with the full run of 400 vehicles being restrict to the coupe.