2022 BMW 8 Series revealed: price, specs and release date
The BMW 8 Series has been given a new look and upgraded tech for 2022, while the M8 performance variant now has even more power. Here’s everything else you need to know...
On sale Now | Price from £72,225
The word ‘mild’ can be used to describe many things: curries, beer and even the British weather. It’s also the perfect word to sum up the redesign of the BMW 8 Series.
Some car manufacturers go big with mid-cycle refreshes, but in this instance BMW has taken a more subtle approach, giving the 8 Series a tweaked front end, an upgraded interior and some new options.
The facelift has been applied to the coupé and convertible versions, as well as the four-door BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé and the performance-focused BMW M8 Competition.
Most of the changes to the design of the 8 Series are at the front, where you’ll find a restyled lower bumper and a new double-bar grille design. The grille itself is now illuminated as standard to give an extra element of ‘wow’. There’s also a selection of new alloy wheel designs to choose from and, on M850i models, a new M badge on the grille.
Inside the latest 8 Series you still get a flowing central dashboard that cocoons the driver to give a sporty feel, while the plush materials include high-quality leather and galvanised metal buttons. Overall, though, the Bentley Continental GT is likely to be a better choice if fine woods and hides are your thing.
On the other hand, BMW infotainment systems are the best in the business, and the new 8 Series features an enlarged 12.3in central touchscreen. It houses the company’s latest iDrive infotainment setup and can be operated using the screen itself or with a rotary dial, making it easy to use while driving or stationary. BMW has retained some physical buttons for the climate control, too, making them far more intuitive than the touch-sensitive ones you’ll find on the new BMW iX electric SUV.
Under the bonnet, there are now just two engines to choose from: a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged straight-six petrol in the 840i and a 4.4-litre V8 in the M850i (which is also twin-turbocharged). BMW's xDrive four-wheel drive system is fitted as standard on the M850i, while the 840i is rear-wheel drive only. For 2022, the 840d diesel version will no longer be available in the UK.
All 8 Series and M8s come as standard with 20in alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights, heated front seats, a heads-up display, a Harman Kardon sound system, and an M Performance Pack (which includes adaptive suspension and a sports exhaust). An M Sport Pro Pack can also be specified, which features upgraded 20in alloys, brakes, M Sport seat belts and extended gloss-black trim.
The M8 Competition comes with an enhanced version of the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, with power increased from 609bhp to 616bhp, giving a 0-62mph time of 3.2sec for the Coupé. The M8 also features upgraded options, including an M Pro Pack, which adds extras such as carbon-ceramic brakes with gold calipers.
The new 8 Series and M8 are available to order now, with prices for the 840i Gran Coupé, Coupé and Convertible starting from £72,225, £74,725 and £81,725 respectively.
Prices then move up to £101,215, £103,715 and £110,715 for the M850i in Gran Coupé, Coupé and Convertible body styles. This is significantly less than its Aston Martin DB11 rival, which is only available as a coupé or convertible and starts from £155,865.
Prices for the M8 Competition start from £123,300 for the Gran Coupé, moving up to £125,800 and £132,800 for the coupé and convertible. In comparison, the Bentley Continental GT coupé and Bentley Flying Spur saloon start from £168,500 and £162,500 respectively.
For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here
