It’s that time of year when car manufacturers look back at capacity utilization over the last 12 months. However, BMW does things differently and turns the time machine back much further. These fascinating images show 7 and 8 Series prototypes during winter testing in a snowy wonderland.
The photos were likely taken a few years apart, as the original 8 Series was released in 1990 while the third generation 7 Series was released in 1994. If you look closely, you’ll notice some strange design details on both prototypes. Take the 7 Series for example: a 750iL equipped with a rear spoiler and what appears to be a Rear panel.
What the heck is a rear panel? It is the German term for “rear cover”. While this prototype looks like a light bar partially obscured by snow, it’s actually a reflective panel that makes the taillights appear connected. In the past, many cars were equipped with this, either from the factory or via the aftermarket. Their modern counterpart are LED light strips across the entire width of the vehicle, which extend across the entire rear area of the vehicle.
The coupé has an angular radiator grille, the kidney elements of which are bisected by a horizontal bar and flanked by additional air inlets. Around the same time, BMW also looked into the idea of an 8 Series convertible, but it never came to fruition. The open-top 850i was developed between 1989 and late 1990 before being discontinued. Munich executives feared the sale would not sell well enough to justify the investment. In hindsight it was probably a good decision, as the coupe itself was hardly a commercial success.
Fast forward to 2025, and their current equivalents face a very different future. The 7 Series is due to receive a mid-cycle facelift next year, at which point the ALPINA version is expected to return. The 8 Series is now nearing the end of its development; production is scheduled to end in April. The high-performance M8 has already been discontinued worldwide and BMW hasn’t committed to a third generation, so the future of the 8 Series looks bleak.
Source: BMW Classic / Instagram
