The new BMW 8 Series has arrived, so to get the lowdown on what to expect from the new range-topping model, we speak to its global product manager, Sarah Lessmann.
What was the key goal in developing the 8 Series?
“The most important information is this: we have a sports car set-up. When we announced the 8 Series, everyone thought it would be a ‘son of’ the BMW 7 Series, like the BMW 4 Series is based on the BMW 3 Series, but that wasn’t the way BMW had the idea of doing a sports car.”
Was it important to make the car close to the 8 Series Concept?
“That’s something we’re very proud of. Normally concept vehicles are quite removed, but on this car there are only a few design details we had to change for legal requirements, such as flattening the shark nose grille a bit.”
Why does the interior differ from other BMW models?
“With the 8 Series, BMW gets back to the driver orientation: the driver is the centre, and anything around their ‘workspace’ is set up to make them comfortable behind the wheel.”
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'Burning questions'? This
basically a new 6 series
don't see the point to call it "8" apart from increase price....basically everything from dimension to engine are carry over from previous generation "6"
Video walk round....
Have a look yourself, it’s on Auto express web page on you tube...!
The global product manager
The global product manager certainly had little to say about this new 8 series. It must have been hard to defend what is a generic uninspired design.