The 2022 BMW 8-Series Gran Coupe Isn’t a Coupe After All
Genevieve Fraser
· 5 min read
It's easy to fall in love with the new 2022
BMW
8-Series Gran Coupe because of its sleek exterior. At first glance, you might think that it's a true coupe because of its fixed roof and sloping rear.However, it turns out this model is actually not as much a coupe as it is a sedan, and we'll discuss some of the features that make it the latter.
According to
CarMax
, coupes arose in the 19th century from a desire to make carriages shorter and therefore more convenient to board.By the 1960s, a carriage-inspired look saw two-seater open cars get hard tops, but the distinction between a coupe and a sedan became less clear with time.
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the specs of the BMW 8-Series Gran Coupe.
A powerful and luxurious new trim for the 2022 BMW 8-Series Gran Coupe
The BMW 8-Series Gran Coupe has been around for several years now, and BMW fans were undoubtedly eager for the latest model from the German automaker to roll out. BMW was up to the task, offering buyers a sleek, heightened luxury experience for 2022.
As noted on
Car and Driver
, the new 2022 Gran Coupe adds a flagship model to the 8-Series line. Joining the familiar 840i and the M850i is the top-of-the-line Alpina B8.This trim promises increased performance, handling, jaw-dropping 21-inch wheels, and a variety of aesthetically-pleasing updates inside and out.
MORE: BMW Is Releasing a Car That Will Only Be Available for One Model Year
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Why isn't the 2022 BMW 8-Series Gran Coupe a true coupe?
According to CarMax, defining the coupe has become a challenge over the years.
As sporty vehicles with a 2+2 body style were made to feature a rear seat that was either removed or reduced in size, the coupe was characterized by “a sleek, sloping roofline, two doors, and two functional seats up front, plus two tiny seats in [the] back.”
The term was also used by automakers to refer to their sportier sedans, further complicating things.
While the 2022 BMW 8-Series Gran Coupe sports a sloping roofline, the car has four doors and is better classified as a sedan.
According to Car and Driver, the 8-Series Gran Coupe is a more practical option than the two-door 8-series.
Back-seat passengers will be far more comfortable, enjoying more accessible seating and spacious surroundings. Legroom is better than in equivalent two-doors, yet headroom is limited.
Enhanced cargo space in the trunk means you can store five suitcases (four in the convertible), making the 8-Series Gran Coupe an appealing option for a weekend road trip.
Great features in the new 8-Series Gran Coupe
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The 8-Series Gran Coupe comes with excellent standard features, according to Car and Driver. The car’s luxurious interior includes a head-up display, customizable ambient lighting, wireless and port-based charging, and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster.
A high-tech 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen responds to voice, touch, button, and optional gesture controls. A Harman/Kardon sound system, Wi-Fi, and Apple CarPlay are also included.
A panoramic sunroof and leather upholstery up the experience, and for Alpina B8 buyers, untreated Lavalina leather, an Alpina-emblazoned crystal glass controller for the infotainment system, and walnut trim complete the package.
Plenty of optional features like a Comfort Seating package, Bowers & Wilkins stereo, glass switchgear, ultra-adjustable seats, and more luxurious headliners can be added, as can advanced
safety features
.There are some standard driver-assistance inclusions, however, such as lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, and automated emergency braking.
BMW offers impressive engine options
When it comes to engine performance, the Gran Coupe lineup doesn't disappoint. Powering the cars are dual engines and eight-speed automatic transmissions.
A turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder backs the rear- or all-wheel drive base 840i trim, cranking out 335 hp.
If you’re after a little more power, the standard all-wheel-drive M850i has a twin-turbo 4.4L V8 engine that delivers 523 hp. But the Alpina B8 is the star, with a twin-turbo V8 packing 612 hp and reaching 60 mph from zero in 3.3 seconds.
CarMax notes that coupes often have enhanced acceleration and braking performance, and the 8-Series Gran Coupe certainly delivers on these fronts, though the car slightly underperforms in the steering department.
Depending on the model, the EPA’s fuel economy ratings range from 17 mpg in the city for the M850i to 22 mpg in the city for the rear-wheel-drive 840i. On the highway, the M850i gets 25 mpg and the rear-wheel-drive 840i gets 29 mpg.
Estimates for the all-wheel-drive 840i are 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
Starting at $85,995 for the 840i and stretching well into the six-figure range for the top Albina B8 trim, the 2022 BMW 8-Series Gran Coupe is overall a good-looking, spacious “coupe,” albeit a little pricey.
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