BMW Serie 8 Cabrio, the convertible version of the German model

Last summer BMW introduced the BMW Serie 8 Coupé, and now it is the turn of the BMW Serie 8 Cabrio, a luxury convertible that completes the model’s range and has an aspect as spectacular as the hardtop version. In fact, it keeps the same proportions, with a length of 4,850 mm and a width of 1,900 mm, reaching a height of 1,340 mm, with a wheelbase of 2,820 mm.

The look of the BMW Serie 8 Cabrio is sporty, with an striking image that uses adaptive LED headlights as the light signature at the front. As an option, lighting with laser headlights from BMW is available, making it even more attractive. The most notable feature is the multilayer fabric roof, which on the standard vehicles is black. One of the options allows the roof to be specified in silver.

According to the German brand, this roof offers good sound insulation and is capable of closing and opening the cabin in just 15 seconds, operating at speeds of up to 50 km/h. The roof design has been carefully crafted to be attractive and to integrate with the interior of the car. Even when folded, care has been taken for its appearance to blend with the interior decoration. Between the rear seats there is a wind deflector that makes passengers in this area more comfortable.

Exclusive equipment for the BMW Serie 8 Cabrio

Alongside the roof, the BMW Serie 8 Cabrio features exclusive elements that set it apart from its hardtop sibling. It includes, among other things, structural reinforcements and aluminium anti-roll bars located behind the front headrests, which deploy when needed. It also comes with an adaptive M chassis, the M Sport differential with electronic control, and integral active steering, which features a rear-axle steering system to improve the car’s handling.

The BMW M850i xDrive includes M sport brakes, 20-inch alloy wheels also from the M series, and decorative details in Cerium grey. The 840d xDrive version also includes an M package, this time with 19-inch wheels and 20-inch wheels as an option. It can also be equipped with M sport brakes and black decorative details, and even a carbon fibre decorative package.

Inside, we find leather upholstery, a material that also covers the steering wheel. The headrests are heated and the controls are finished in Craften Clarity crystal. The sound system is by Bowers & Wilkins with 12 speakers, and the instrumentation is displayed on two screens, one measuring 12.3 inches and the other 10.25 inches. Of course, it comes with all the technology needed to drive safely and enhance the driving experience.

Petrol and diesel engines

The new BMW Serie 8 Cabrio comes with two engine options, one petrol and one diesel. The BMW M850i xDrive is the petrol version and the most powerful. It uses a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine that delivers 530 CV and a maximum torque of 750 Nm. With these figures, it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 250 km/h. Its consumption is between 9.9 and 10 litres per 100 km.

The diesel version is the BMW 840d xDrive, which uses a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine, with a power output of 320 CV and a maximum torque of 680 Nm, paired with an eight-speed Steptronic gearbox, just like the petrol version. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 5.2 seconds, and it matches the 250 km/h top speed of the other model. Consumption, on the other hand, is between 5.9 and 6.3 litres per hundred kilometres.

The convertible version of the BMW Serie 8 will go on sale from March 2019, although final prices for both versions have not yet been announced.