Unless you’ve been living under a rock for a few years, you know the 8 Series won’t be around for much longer. Worse still, BMW hasn’t even hinted at the possibility of a third generation. Even if the future of the car remains uncertain, it’s worth thinking about what the current model leaves behind. Sure, it wasn’t a blockbuster, but neither was the original, but decades later the E31 is now widely appreciated.
Why the BMW 8 Series never became a bestseller
When the M5 G90 launched last year to heavy criticism, we called the M8 an underrated alternative. It has a pure V8 engine and doesn’t weigh as much as the moon. Normally showing a car’s age is a bad thing, but that’s not necessarily the case with the M8 and its smaller siblings. And not just because the 8 Series avoided the additional complexity of hybridization.
Many of BMW’s recent designs have been criticized for being too intrusive. In contrast, the G16 embodies understated luxury with a sophisticated design that doesn’t scream, “Look at me.” The same applies to its two-door siblings, the G14 coupe and the G15 convertible. Even the hot F91/F92/F93 M models don’t overdo it.
The M8 Gran Coupé – BMW’s underrated V8 flagship
While we still prefer the E31’s design and pop-up headlights, the modern equivalent remains an attractive car. Designed in the 2010s, before BMW began experimenting with increasingly polarizing design, the predecessor to the 8 Series appears almost timeless.
His age brings another advantage. Although it only received a minor facelift in 2022, it retained the old iDrive 7 system. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. In a few years, some people may appreciate the interior even more than they do today. When BMW switches its model range to iDrive X, most of the physical buttons will disappear.
Compare the 8 Series’ dashboard to that of the new iX3, and you could argue that the former feels much more analogue. In addition to a variety of physical controls on the center console, a BMW classic remains – the iDrive rotary knob. This interior layout can be traced back to the 7 Series E65 introduced in 2001, while the design of the center console itself is inspired by even older models.
In the BMW 8 Series: The last analog interior
This era will soon come to an end when BMW builds the last 8 Series in 2026. The Z4 will be retired next year, further underscoring that we’re seeing a major shift in car interiors. It is unlikely that Munich will ever return to the old dashboard layouts. Love it or loathe it, the future is all about screens.
While exterior and interior design is subjective, the appeal of an old-fashioned V8 engine isn’t up for debate. Yes, BMW plans to keep eight-cylinder engines in the portfolio for the foreseeable future, but they will incorporate mild hybrid systems to meet stricter emissions regulations. Models like the X5 M60i and 760i already use 48-volt technology, while the latest M5 has switched to plug-in hybrid.
It is nearly impossible to design a new V8 engine without some form of electrification. In fact, things are only going to get harder for automakers, especially with the EU’s planned ban on the sale of new internal combustion engines from 2035. The M8’s impending demise is another nail in the non-hybrid V8’s coffin.
Skytop and Speedtop – The last masterpieces of the 8 series
If you look at the glass half full, BMW has at least given the 8 Series a proper send-off. The Skytop and Speedtop are stunning and will likely become future classics. It’s a shame that they are only aimed at one-percent customers who supposedly spend 500,000 euros on the Targa or Shooting Brake. But the regular models are also likely to hold an important place in the brand’s legacy, considering how radically different the upcoming New Class cars will be.
One could argue that, alongside the Z4, the 8 Series represents the last representative of the old BMW guard. It may never achieve the cult status of the original, but its departure will be a meaningful moment for enthusiasts. It’s a matter of grabbing one now or never before it’s gone for good. It will certainly be a sad day when the inevitable happens.
Of course, BMW could revive the 8 Series one day, but even if it returns in the 2030s, it’s hard to imagine it being internal combustion powered. No matter how great this car may be, it just won’t be the same without a roaring V8.
