It was the first production car with a V12 engine and a six-speed manual gearbox.
The original BMW 8 Series graced the automotive stage in 1989, showcasing cutting-edge design and groundbreaking features. Despite its remarkable attributes, however, the grand tourer faced challenges in the market and didn’t receive the attention it deserved.
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The BMW 8 Series earned admiration for its substantial performance improvements over the original 6 Series. With a drag coefficient of just Cd=0.29 (versus 0.39 for the 6 Series), a V12 engine paired with a six-speed manual transmission, and pioneering electronic drive-by-wire throttle technology, it set new standards in the segment. The unibody design, lighter than its predecessor thanks to CAD modeling, contributed to a unique driving experience. Enthusiasts appreciate its luxurious features and groundbreaking engineering that signaled a new era for BMW.
Development of the BMW 8 Series began in July 1981, and the final design was completed in 1986. The 8 Series was one of the first BMWs to be designed, at least partially, using CAD drawings, followed by tests in the wind tunnel. However, the launch was delayed to accommodate the strong sales of the 6 Series, which was considered the indirect predecessor of the 8 Series. The grand debut finally took place at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1989.
The 8 Series marked a significant milestone as it offered the first V12 engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission in a road car. The engine range also included 4.0- and 4.4-liter V8 mills. There were three iterations of the V12 offered throughout 8 Series production, with displacements of 5.0, 5.4, and 5.6 liters.
Unfortunately, sales of the original 8 Series were influenced by a confluence of economic factors. The global recession of the early 1990s, the Persian Gulf War, and spikes in energy prices collectively impacted the luxury car market. In North America, BMW discontinued the 8 Series in 1997, having sold just 6,920 cars. However, production continued for other markets until 1999, with a total of 30,609 units sold worldwide. Low sales meant ambitious plans for a high-performance M8 variant were shelved in 1991.
