“Don’t fix it if it ain’t broke”. That was probably what went through the minds of BMW designers when they gave the 8 Series a facelift update, because you’d really have to squint to even see any differences in appearance.
Well at least, aside from the grille. Because the BMW 8 Series range has gained a new “Iconic Glow” kidney grille that lights up from the inside to apparently help create a “dramatic impression” when you view the new 8-er from the front. The vertical struts cover on the grille itself also get a new ‘U’-shaped profile to help highlight the illumination.
Otherwise, the rest of the changes on the new BMW 8 Series range is mostly just a nip and tuck with mildly revised bumpers, new alloy wheels selection, and four new metallic body colours – Skyscraper Grey, San Remo Green, M Portimao Blue, and BMW Individual Frozen Tanzanite Blue.
M Sport kit is now standard across the board, while the M850i variant gets additional aerodynamic wing mirrors from the full M cars, alongside an additional front spoiler lip, rear ducktail “spoiler”, and a set of more powerful brakes – the latter three also available as option for the other variants.
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Changes on the inside are also minimal – essentially just a new larger 12.3-inch infotainment display on top of the dashboard, replacing the older 10.25-inch unit.
Powertrain options are also pretty much entirely unchanged, ranging from the 840i up to the M850i xDrive. As for the M8, well – it’s dead. BMW will only be offering the new M 8 Series in the M8 Competition form, which packs a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine that makes 625 hp and 749 Nm, with power sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission and the xDrive all-wheel drive system.
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BMW has also collaborated with US artist Jeff Koons for a special-edition model, featuring an eleven colour multi-layer exterior as well as a unique cabin with “exquisite materials” and “the very finest leather”. Based on the 850i xDrive Gran Coupe, the BMW 8 X Jeff Koons Edition will be unveiled on the 17th of February.
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