Folding hardtops makes sense but the trouble is that with the roof closed – which let’s face it is most of the time – they look like a hardtop coupe not a convertible.
Styling is stunning, with large wide-spread kidney grilles interlocking, though not touching, the headlights and a rear end with wide very-Bimmer lights and large exhaust outlets. Top down or top up it looks sleek and purposeful.
BMW 8 Series Convertible has a wind deflector which can be set up in the rear-seat area to prevent unwanted air turbulence when driving with the top down. It becomes a two seater with the defector in place, but we have no problem with that.
Optional neck warmers integrated into the front-seat head restraints further improve your chances of getting that top down in winter.
Two powerful engines will initially be offered at European launch in March 2019. A 4.4-litre 390 kW/530 hp V8 petrol engine in the BMW M850i xDrive Convertible; and a BMW 840d xDrive Convertible inline six turbo-diesel developing 235 kW/320 hp.
Both engines are mated to an eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission and BMW xDrive all-wheel-drive system. We are assured it has, “an appreciably rear-wheel bias”, which is great news. Dynamic performance is further enhanced by the M Sport differential.
BMW suggests the M850i Convertible will run the zero to 100 sprint in just under four seconds, with the turbo-diesel in the low fives.
Active roll stabilisation, is available for the new BMW M850i xDrive Convertible as part of the optional Adaptive M suspension Professional.
The big new German Convertible comes as standard with the BMW Live Cockpit Professional. This includes navigation and multimedia systems. Two separate binnacles see a high-resolution instrument cluster behind the steering wheel with a screen diagonal of 12.3 inches, as well as a Control Display measuring 10.25 inches across.
BMW 8 Series Convertible has state-of-the-art driver assistance systems. collision warning and pedestrian warning system with city braking function, lane departure warning and lane change warning, speed limit info, rear cross traffic alert and rear collision warning.
Safety is provided by a rollover protection system, which consists of two protective aluminium bars fitted out of sight behind the rear-seat head restraints. If the car sense it is likely to roll over, the bars are raised by a pyrotechnic charge in a fraction of a second.
NOTE: This information comes from BMW’s press office in Germany and may differ slightly from what comes to Australia.
