The new BMW 8 Series it still feels fresh as a daisy. But no carmaker loves splitting its model lines into myriad variants like BMW, and in just this short amount of time, we now have the 840i, M850i, M8 and M8 Competition, all of which can be had as a two-door coupe, convertible or four-door Gran Coupe. That means there are 12 different versions of the 8 Series from which to choose, and I believe this M850i Gran Coupe is actually the pick of the litter.
The Gran Coupe is so named for its larger proportions over the two-door 8 Series coupe, with a longer wheelbase, a wider footprint and, most obviously, two more doors, allowing improved access to the larger rear seats. Managing Editor Steven Ewing put the base 840i Gran Coupe through its paces last year, and said the 3.0-liter turbo I6 engine offered plenty of grunt, but this M850i tester goes big with a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, good for 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque.
That’s more than enough power for this four-door, even with the added 300 pounds it carries over the two-door coupe. The chassis is extremely well sorted — there’s hardly any body roll and the Adaptive M suspension strikes a good balance between firm and cushy. The level of overall stiffness and composure is actually quite surprising, given this vehicle’s size.
The 2020 BMW M850i Gran Coupe offers the best bang for your buck in the entire 8 Series range. The M850i Gran Coupe has more than enough power, but maintains a level of composure that makes it suitable for daily driving. It’s more functional than the coupe or convertible, and honestly, it looks better, too. Of all the new 8 Series models, this is definitely the one to get.
Features of the car:
++M850i (503bhp 0-60 3.7s)
++PANORAMIC GLASS ROOF
++CRYSTAL GLASS GEAR SELECTOR
++COOLED AND HEATED SEATS
++CREAM PERFORATED LEATHER
++ALCANTARA ROOF LINING
++MATRIX LED HEADLIGHTS (AUTODIM)
++CARBON CORE
1 OWNER | 25,000MILES | BMW DIRECT APPROVED