The all-new 8-Series Convertible is one of the
automaker’s worst kept secrets in recent years. After all, the spy shots we’ve
seen so far revealed almost everything about BMW’s upcoming drop-top model. The
only parts on the test prototypes that were covered in camo were the trunk lid
and the rear fenders, leaving everything else exposed.
Well, you can now see all of the
2019 8-Series Convertible, as official photos of the new model have leaked on
the internet. Belgian website Autotijn apparently broke the embargo and released
a set of official images ahead of schedule.
The 8-Series Convertible will
have its world debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show a month from now.
Styling-wise, the cabriolet looks great with the soft top down, but the lack of
a hardtop somehow makes it look more like a luxury car than a sports car. BMW
describes the 8-Series Coupe as a proper sports car, so we’re curious to see if
that tag will stick to the drop-top version as well.
The model in the pictures is the range-topping M850i
xDrive, which is unsurprising given that the 8-Series Coupe launched in the
same powertrain configuration. That means that it’s powered by a 4.4-liter
twin-turbo gasoline V8 that’s mated to an eight-speed Steptronic automatic
transmission.
The M850i xDrive Convertible will have 530 PS and 750 Nm to play with, enough to allow it to go from 0 to 100
km/h in under 4 seconds. The coupe covers the same sprint in 3.7
seconds, but the cabriolet is expected to be a few tenths off the pace given
the weight penalty and the increased drag.
As with the coupe, the top speed will be
electronically limited to 250 km/h. Expect to learn more details
about the 2019 8-Series Convertible at the official unveiling in late November.
