2018 BMW M850i: Fast Facts

With two models confirmed for the new BMW 8 Series, most importantly the hard-hitting M850i, we take a look at a few of the little details and facts that are important to keep in mind.

It beats the Aston Martin DB11 V8 on paper

Those in the market for a sporting grand tourer now have an extra option. One of the newest additions to the segment is the Aston Martin DB11 V8, which is overshadowed by the M850i’s spec-sheet.

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Hitting 100km/h in just 3.7 seconds, the Eight trumps the DB11 by three tenths, and its 390kW/750Nm eclipses the Aston’s 375/675 figures.

The DB11 is still rear-drive though, so it has that going for it.

It’s essentially a grand tourer, but was developed on the track

Like the DB11, the BMW 8 Series rides a line between ‘grand tourer’ and ‘sports car’, but BMW seems to have leaned further into the ‘sporting’ side of things.

We saw the Bimmer testing on track throughout its development, though in camo. In Italy, it was seen hitting a track with ferocity, confirmed by a development board member at the time.

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“The vehicle dynamics values already achieved are absolutely impressive. Our customers and fans can look forward to a genuine sports car.”

Sports car or tourer? Why can’t we have both?

It’s not the first BMW 8 Series to run a 4.4-litre V8

Before the 4.4-litre twin turbo V8 became one of BMW’s favourite engines for its top-spec big-bangers, a 4.4-litre atmo engine found its home in one of the first 8 Series, the 840Ci.

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The M62B44 found in that model in its later years was overshadowed by the V12 engines available, though it still produced 210kW. Respectable at the time, but now hot hatch territory.

The new 8 Series introduces some new design language

“The slimmest headlights of any BMW model to date,” is just one of the claims backing up BMW’s insistence that the new 8 Series has a ‘modern form of sporting appeal.’

A low, wide kidney grille departs from recent iterations of the iconic design element as the chrome surround now joins in the middle, rather than having painted bodywork separating the two halves.

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Additionally, in M850i guise, the kidney grille’s slats are adjustable depending on aerodynamic requirements. Underneath, an ‘almost fully-sealed’ underside further aids aero.

The M8 is still yet to come

We’re still waiting for the most exciting part of the 8 Series line up to be completely revealed.

BMW has an M8 GTE racer, and an M8 GranCoupe Concept, so it’s certain there’s an M8 road car on the way.

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Guessing what we can expect from it would be primarily speculative but, given the 460kW and 750Nm of the twin-turbo V8 in the M5 Competition, we know there’s more to be wrung out of this engine yet.