The BMW Series 8 celebrated last week its 25th birthday and 120 owners rushed to the Bavarian headquarters in Munich, with the hope that the people of BMW will think to revive in the future the legendary model. The gathering of this was organized by the BMW Series 8 Club with the support of the BMW Club International Office. The E31 Series 8, was unveiled in 1989 at the Fair of Frankfurt. Designed in white paper, the people of BMW achieved for the first time the impressive drag coefficient of 0.29. The 850i was the second postwar German car of 12 cylinder engine, with the first being the 750i two years earlier. Moreover, it was the first model that combined a V12 motor with a 6 speed manual transmission. Other innovative for the time data were integrated in seat belts, electrically adjustable steering column with memory function, the automatically adjustable interior mirror, remote central locking and side seats that open automatically to improve their insurance and to reduce the wind noise.
BMW Series 8
BMW Series 8
In 1990 BMW introduced into the model an Automatic Stability Control plus Traction system, the steering that adjusts based on the speed and electronic damper control. Originally launched as the E31 850i, carrying a 5 liter V12 engine, with a performance of 300 horsepower and 450Nm of torque. It collaborated with either a 6 speed manual or 4 speed automatic transmission, the first of which allows the weight of 1.790 kg, 2+2 coupe vehicle, to carry 0-100 km in 6.8 seconds, while the top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/hr. In 1993, the range was enhanced with the 850CSi, which was seen by many as the M8, in all except the logo. It had a larger V12, 5,6 liter engine, which yield 381 horsepower and 550Nm of torque, which combined only with a 6 speed manual gearbox, which rendered it capable to fall below 6.0 seconds to reach 0-100 km/hr. The next year, was presented the BMW 850Ci with 326 horsepower, a power that came from the V12 engine of 5.4 liters, at the same time as this edition was equipped exclusively with the new 5 speed automatic transmission of the company.
BMW Series 8
BMW Series 8
Moreover, launched the 840Ci, a model that had a 4litre, V8 motor of 286 hp. In mid 1995, the 840Ci acquired a total of 4.4 liter V8 performance of 299 hp, which was combined with either an automatic or manual 5 speed or 6 speed box. The BMW Series 8 remained in production until 1999, with the Bavarian company selling 30,621 pieces. More than 2/3 of these had a 12 cylinder engine, while only 1/6 of the vehicles had manual transmission. The company built several prototypes based on the Series 8 such as the M8, the 850Ci Convertible and 3I 830i 218 hp, without giving the green light to produce any of them.
BMW Series 8
BMW Series 8
Overall, the Series 8 was not exactly a «success story» for BMW, as it was equipped with complex and expensive electronic systems which had increased weight, and above all it confused the audience with its character. You see, many saw it as a pure sports car, while the substance was a luxury vehicle for long distances, which had some sports sides in its temperament. Moreover, the global recession of the early 1990’s and the first Gulf War, further aggravated the situation. Nevertheless, the technological applications and, especially, the form, continue even today to excite their motoring friends around the world.
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By Nicole P.
