This is the new BMW 8 Series, the fierce rival of the Mercedes S-Class Coupe

BMW revealed the first official pictures and information on the BMW 8 Series. Here is the first static comparison with the Mercedes S-Class Coupe.

Since 1999, when the former BMW 8 Series was discontinued, the Mercedes S-Class Coupe has not had a competitor from BMW.

The BMW 8 Series resembles more to the Porsche 911, but the S-Class Coupe remains the traditional rival

But in November 2018, the second generation of the BMW 8 Series will compete again against the luxury Mercedes S-Class Coupe, as a BMW insider stated that the new BMW 8 Series will be positioned much more as a rival of the Porsche 911 and of the Aston Martin DB11 than a competitor for the Mercedes S-Class Coupe.
Regardless of the statements, the Mercedes S-Class Coupe has remained a traditional competitor for the BMW 8 Series and both models are at the top of the luxury range.

BMW 8 Series will not replace the 6 Series, but the 6 Series Coupe and Cabriolet will not exist anymore. BMW stated that the digit 8 in the model’s name is an indicative of the newcomer’s high-ranking status within BMW products range. As in the past with the BMW Z8 and also with the current BMW i8, it is reserved for exceptionally sport cars that fire the emotions.

BMW M850i xDrive almost as quick as Mercedes-AMG S 63 4Matic Coupe 

Let’s go now go one step further in a thorough analysis.

The BMW 8 Series will debut with a new V8 engine in the M850i xDrive. The 4.4-liter eight cylinder unit has been radically revised and numerous details optimized. It features two twin-scroll turbos with charge air cooling located inside the V-shape space between the cylinder banks, Valvetronic fully variable control, Double Vanos variable camshaft timing, multihole injectors positioned centrally in the combustion chamber and a maximum pressure that has been raised from 200 to 350 bar. It delivers 530 HP between 5,500 and 6,000 rpm, while the maximum torque reaches 750 Nm, available on a wide rev range from 1,800 to 4,600 rpm.

The facelifted Mercedes S 560 Coupe is available in two versions: S 560 Coupe with rear-wheel drive and S 560 Coupe 4Matic with a 4wd. Both versions are powered by the new 4.0 liter V8 bi-turbo with 469 HP/5,250-5,500 rpm, while the maximum torque of 700 Nm is available from 2,000 to 4,000 rpm. It takes 4.6 seconds to go from 0 to 100 km/h, while the BMW is faster by almost one second (0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds). But there is another Mercedes S-Class Coupe version faster than the new BMW M850i xDrive.

The Mercedes-AMG S 63 4Matic will clock the 100 km/h from standstill in only 3.5 seconds. The AMG version is powered by the same 4.0 liter bi-turbo V8 with 612 HP/5,000-6,000 rpm and 900 Nm/2,750-4,400 rpm.

BMW 8 Series will also be available with the 6-inline 3.0-liter diesel unit with 320 HP and 680 Nm, while Mercedes does not offer a diesel alternative for the S Coupe.

BMW 8 Series with a lot of dynamic systems for the drive train

The Mercedes S-Class Coupe is a more comfort-oriented coupe with adaptive Airmatic air suspension as standard. Optionally, for 5,355 euro, the Mercedes owner can choose the famous Magic Body Control suspension with curve tilting function. The body tilts to the inside of the turn by up to 2.65 degrees and thereby reduces the transverse forces perceived by the passengers. The system recognizes bends with the help of a stereo camera behind the windscreen and after the facelift the new stereo camera offer better performance and works at speeds up to 180 km/h compared to 140 km/h before. The curve tilting function is mainly a comfort improvement.

The BMW 8 Series will focus on a sporty behavior with a classic adaptive suspension with Adaptive mode, integral active steering, active roll stabilization and electronically controlled rear differential lock. So, we expect that BMW 8 Series will be sportier, while the Mercedes S-Class Coupe will remain a reference in comfort.

The Mercedes S-Class Coupe has received the latest Comand Online generation multimedia system after undergoing the facelift and the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

The 8 Series from BMW revealed the new BMW LiveCockpit Professional which combines a new display and control concept. The latest generation display and control concept consists of a high resolution instrument cluster with a 12.3-inch diagonal and a 10.25-inch Control Display.

The BMW 8 Series more compact than the Mercedes S-Class Coupe

As the spy photos revealed some months ago, the BMW 8 Series is more compact even compared to the 6 Series. With 4,843 mm in length, 1,902 mm in width and 1,341 mm in height, the BMW 8 Series is more compact and lower than the Mercedes S-Class Coupe, which measures 5,032 mm in length, 1,899 mm in width and 1,411 mm in height.

The 8 Series wheelbase of 2,822 mm is also shorter than the 2,945 mm wheelbase of the S Coupe.

From outside, the BMW 8 Series looks more aggressive with a longer bonnet and a massive rear spoiler, which remind us, in a  way, of the 1999 BMW Z9 Concept from the Bangle era.

The Mercedes S-Class Coupe looks more elegant and the missing central pillar gives that aura of a classic and timeless coupe, while the BMW still features the central B-pillar.