Derived from a two-door sports car, a first for a vehicle in its segment, the Gran Coupe will offer two more doors and more space for the rear passengers. The third model variant of the 8 Series will be built at the Dingolfing plant situated in Lower Bavaria alongside the coupe and convertible derivatives. The worldwide launch will take place in September 2019.
The most obvious change to the car is the addition of two more doors behind the A-pillars, which sees the overall length increase to 5 082 mm, 231 mm longer than its two-door variants. The wheelbase also increased by 201mm to 3 023mm while the Gran Coupe measures 1 407mm at its tallest point. Unique to the new derivative is the rear track measuring in at 1 671mm, the widest in the entire BMW line-up.
Like with the two-door variants the Gran Coupe will come standard with Adaptive LED headlights featuring variable light distribution and cornering lights and all LED rear lights. There is also an optional panoramic glass roof which when fitted will cover around 1.5 square metres. The roof will have two-ply interior blinds which can be operated fully from the front of the cabin while passengers in the rear will be able to control the rear section of the blinds from the back of the cabin.
BMW also made some aerodynamic additions with the completely sealed underbody, active air flap control and adjustable front grille slats. To offset the weight addition with the two extra doors and extended length, the German automaker incorporated an aluminium monocoque construction in addition to the aluminium bonnet, front shear panel, engine subframe, front bulkhead and rear bumper support. The 70 kg weight increase limit over its coupe derivative was also achieved by the addition of a plastic boot lid, magnesium cockpit support and a carbon fibre-reinforced plastic centre tunnel. The Carbon package will see the addition of air intake bars, exterior mirror caps and a rear diffuser insert, all made from CFRP.
On the inside, you will find that the centre console continues through to the rear compartment which incorporates air vents, a stow-away tray, two USB ports and as optional a four-zone automatic climate control. The Gran Coupe is a 4+1-seater with the centre folding armrest following in design and structure of the centre console, on either side of which you will find the rear seats styled like the sport seats in the front. The rear bench able to fold down in a 40:20:40 configurations can increase luggage capacity from the standard 440-litres.
The Gran Coupe will be launched with three forms of motivation, the 840i will come with a six-cylinder in-line petrol engine coupled to an eight-speed Steptronic transmission able to produce 250 kW and 500 N.m of torque while the M850i xDrive will develop 390 kW and 750 N.m of torque from its petrol-powered V8 also fitted with an eight-speed Steptronic transmission. BMW will also offer a diesel option in the shape of a six-cylinder in-line engine and eight-speed Steptronic transmission putting our 235 kW and 680 N.m.
Pricing will be revealed closer to the local launch later this year.
Read about the BMW M8 and M8 Competition here.
