BMW 8 Series prototype takes to the track
A test mule of the upcoming 8 Series luxury coupe has been tested at a high-speed circuit in Italy ahead of a late-2018 market launch.
BMW has released images of a prototype of the upcoming 8 Series undergoing track testing, ahead of the luxury coupe going on sale later in 2018.
The testing facility in Aprilia, Italy, features a 2.5-mile oval track, as well as a series of smaller circuits and areas for slalom courses. As for the prototype vehicle, that’s a heavily camouflaged version of the upcoming luxury saloon — with details such as a long, flat silhouette and the trademark BMW kidney grille clear to see, despite the masking.
BMW says the testing has been carried out to “optimise the vehicle’s driving dynamics on surfaces with a high friction coefficient and mark yet a further decisive stage on the way to the launch of the new BMW 8 Series”.
The German manufacturer is yet to announce when the production version will be revealed and how much it will cost. With the Geneva Motor Show taking place in March, there’s a possibility of the car being unveiled there, but this hasn’t been confirmed.
BMW says the design of the production 8 Series has been heavily influenced by the 8 Series Concept, which was unveiled in 2017. It has also confirmed that a high-performance M8 is being developed alongside the standard 8 Series range, full details of which have yet to be announced.
Despite not yet unveiling the road-going 8 Series, a racing version of the car was shown in September 2017 — the M8 GTE — which is set to make its track debut in this month’s Daytona 24 Hours endurance race, taking place from January 27 to 28.
Klaus Fröhlich, a member of BMW AG’s board, said: “The test drives under the most severe conditions show that we are right on target with our concept for the new BMW 8 Series Coupe. The vehicle dynamics values already achieved are absolutely impressive. Our customers and fans can look forward to a genuine sports car.”
