BMW 8 Series (E31)
| BMW 8 Series (E31) | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | BMW |
| Production | 1989–1999 31,062 built |
| Assembly | Germany |
| Designer | Klaus Kapitza (1986) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Grand tourer (S) |
| Body style | 2-door coupé |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 4.0 L M60 V8 4.4 L M62 V8 5.0 L M70 V12 5.4 L M73 V12 5.6 L S70 V12 |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic 5-speed automatic 6-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,685 mm (105.7 in) |
| Length | 4,780 mm (188 in) |
| Width | 1,854 mm (73.0 in) |
| Height | 1,341 mm (52.8 in) |
The BMW 8 Series (chassis code: E31) is a Grand Tourer built by BMW from 1989 to 1999 powered by either a V8 or V12 engine. While it did supplant the original E24 based 6 Series in 1991, a common misconception is that the 8 Series was developed as a successor. It was actually an entirely new class aimed at a different market, however, with a substantially higher price and better performance than the 6 series.
The E31's mutually related predecessor is the BMW E63, as well as the BMW i8 in 2015. While they are not direct model derivations of the "8xx" lineup, they are the only other touring cars produced by BMW after the E31's introduction in 1989 with as much size, performance options, and technology that can be classed as anything similar to what the E31 lineup offered for its age.
Furthermore, the E31 was BMW's flagship car and had an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). There has never been an ungoverned test for top speed but it's unlikely the E31 would've exceeded 288 km/h (179 mph) even with the 372 HP engine.
Design of the 8 Series began in 1984, with the final design phase and production development starting in 1986. The 8 Series debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) in early September 1989. The 8 Series was designed to move beyond the market of the original 6 Series. The 8 Series had substantially improved performance, however, as well as a far higher purchase price.
Over 1.5 billion Deutsche Mark was spent on total development (2008 USD nearly $1 billion). BMW used CAD tools, still unusual at the time, to design the car's all-new body. Combined with wind tunnel testing, the resulting car had a drag coefficient of 0.29, a major improvement from the previous BMW M6/635CSi's 0.39.
The 8 Series supercar offered the first V-12 engine mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox on a road car. It was the first car to feature CAN bus—a form of multiplex wiring for cars that is now an industry standard. It was also one of the first vehicles to be fitted with an electronic drive-by-wire throttle. The 8 Series was one of BMW's first cars, together with the Z1, to use a multi-link rear axle.
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