BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe 840i Chrome Line (A) Review

As the flagship model, the BMW 8 Series is the pinnacle of the German marque. It's saturated in everything that people love and want out of a grand Bimmer - sharp looks, premium cabin, ample driving pleasure.

The first 8 Series model to be launched was the Coupe. While it definitely had sharp looks and aggressive power and handling, the rear seats were untenably tight and the ride tiringly firm over long distances. Then came the Convertible - drop-top pleasure, but drop-top compromises too (heavier, less boot space).

What if you wanted all that the 8 Series endeavours to deliver, but with none of the 'drawbacks'? Then this is the answer - the new BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe. 

Coupe to Gran 

What's a Gran Coupe, you might ask? The simple explanation is that this is a four-door offering of the two-door Coupe model. However, it's not quite that simple. In the 8 Series, the Gran Coupe features a higher rear roof line (+60mm), a longer overall length (+230mm), and a slightly larger boot (+20 litres). 

Visually, it looks absolutely fantastic. It trades the faux-sports car looks of the Coupe for something that's much more fitting to the car's innate function. With its longer, stretched out body, clean cut lines and sleek proportions, this looks like a proper Gran Tourer. It's easily the best-looking 8 model, and arguably the best-looking current Bimmer, period.

The cabin, at least up front, is exactly the same as you'd find in the Coupe model (or the 7 Series, or the 5 Series, or the X5 and even the 1 Series. It's all the same, you get the idea). While its undeniably high-class, high-quality and high on functionality, you could argue that it lacks a certain sparkle you'd want in a flagship model. 

Importantly, open either of the rear doors and you'll find two fully-formed seats. The 200mm longer wheelbase means that passengers have proper amounts of legroom now. The sloping roof does compromise head room a tad (though nowhere quite as bad as the Coupe), but for most Singaporean adults that shouldn't be a problem. The middle seat could fit a very skinny adult, but his or her legs are going to have to straddle either side of the air-con console in the middle. Realistically, this is a 2+2, but a legitimate 2+2 rather than a 2+2(kids). 

Grand touring

This car here is the 840i model, and on the road, it actually differs significantly from the M850i xDrive Coupe model we drove earlier.

The engine here is a turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six that sends 335bhp and 500Nm of torque to the rear wheels. It's a highly capable engine - on light loads its quiet, extremely refined and buttery smooth. Then, hoof it and it dumps power enough to overcome the rear wheels. In fact, unless you are really aurally-obsessed, we reckon that with this drivetrain you won't really miss the 4.4-litre V8 in the M850i, nor the All-Wheel Drive (AWD).  

In this Chrome Line (the luxury, non-M-sport one), the car just feels fantastic. In Comfort, the adaptive dampers soak up bumps fantastically. The steering is light, and unencumbered by an AWD system the car feels more agile and lighter on its feet. Then, get it into Sport mode and you can still drive it like a hooligan. Weaving in and out of traffic is much too easy, and overzealous throttle out of a slow corner will be greeted by some rear-end shimmy.

And while it is undeniably a big car, it doesn't feel quite so big behind the wheel. The four-wheel steering and a progressive rack mean that it's surprisingly easy to wrangle up and down carparks, and once on the go it's much more agile and nippy than you would imagine. The only time you truly gawk at the size of the thing is when you park, walk away from the car and realise that half the bonnet is sticking out of the lot.

Most importantly, the 8GC drives and feels the way it should. It's generally peaceful, quiet and long-legged, easily munching up miles with no fuss at all. On the few times you need or want power and speed, the car doles it out instantly. Again, it's a proper GT car. 

All's grand

While the 8 Series Coupe and Convertible are both attractive cars with specific appeal, the 8 Series Gran Coupe feels like the 8 Series in its most authentic form. It takes all the practical, sensible and luxury appeal of a 7 Series and infuses it with dollops of sexy styling, driving pleasure, and unique personality.

The Gran Coupe isn't trying to be something it's not. It's a big, four-door luxury car, but with hints of extroverted sportiness. It's a fast, 5.2-second century sprint car, but also delivers effortless serenity at 120km/h. It's a sharp, eye-catchingly designed car, but doesn't overly compromise daily practicality. It's everything you want an 'everything' BMW car to be.

And that sounds absolutely grand to us.