It’s the much anticipated BMW and one of the most exciting cars to hit the streets of Malaysia. The BMW M850i xDrive was unveiled to the members of the media by BMW Malaysia. This was done on the 12th of March 2019 amidst a gala reception with a price tag of RM1,086,359.75.
The current BMW 8 series got us thinking though. Is it worth coughing out over RM 1 million for a two door coupe, especially for a BMW when you have the likes of Maserati and Porsche prowling our highways? Well here are 5 reasons that make the BMW a compelling GT option when compared to the competition
1. It’s an iconic badge
Possibly one of the most beautiful modern BMW’s ever made, the 8 series badge screams 90’s nostalgia with the wedge design and pop up headlamps. While the current iteration may not have the same visual shock value, it’s certainly no shrinking violet.
The whole car is significantly lower and wider when compared to its stable mate, the BMW 6 series with a uniquely designed dashboard and instrument display. Our preference is the back end which is swooping and striking all at the same time.
So claiming ownership to the 8 series badge is synonymous with style and heritage and for a million ringgit car, we think this is absolutely vital.
2. M performance in a non M car
M cars, as capable as they are, are the ultimate iterations of the ‘garden variety’ BMW cars. For instance, an M3, with its sci-fi seats, biturbo straight 6 engine, big brakes and bulging bodykits still has the same interior and exterior architecture of the BMW 318i.
For non-enthusiasts, you would need to explain why your M3 is significantly different from the ‘regular’ 3 series. Not for the 8 series. There’s nothing else in the BMW range that looks like it, therefore you would not need to explain that it’s got a biturbo engine with more power than a Porsche 911 Turbo, and that it can do 0-100kph in 3.7 seconds. It just looks fast standing still.
3. B Segment sized boot
Unlike other cars that can deliver sub-4 seconds acceleration times, the BMW 8 series has plenty of space both inside and out. Most of the motoring journalist can be seen climbing in and out of the back seats with relative ease.
More significantly though, the 8 series has a boot space that’s comparable to a C segment sedan. At 420 liters, its only 50 liters shy from the boot space of a Toyota Corolla Altis. Very handy for packing your essentials for that getaway weekend to your favorite private beach resort.
4. BMW’s connected app
The one highlight the BMW has over its rivals is the level of connectivity and communication it gives via its built in apps. The BMW 8 series comes with BMW’s top of the line Connected Package Professional which includes Concierge Service, BMW Digital Key and Intelligent Personal Assistant.
The Concierge Service is particularly remarkable, for instance if you are out of town and cant be asked to pull over to search for your nearest Starbucks or restaurant, you can call BMW’s concierge team which is available to you 24/7 and they will do it for you, right down to keying in the location you wish to go for to your car’s Navigation system, while you’re on the move!
We have tested its capability in the BMW 740Le where we threw the team some impossible tasks like finding for the best street burger outlet in PJ and the system sorted us out including the navigation within 2 minutes. Now that’s luxury.
5. Cutting edge safety
Last but not least is the amount of tech and RnD the car has received on active and passive safety features. The chassis uses BMW’s carbon core technology, which means the car’s skeletal frame is made of carbon fiber, aluminum and steel. This makes the chassis super light with very stiff.
Next is the driver assistance systems which range from Lane Control assist, Lane Keep Assist, Active cruise control with stop and go function, which lets the car to essentially drive itself in stop and go traffic conditions.
Finally run flat tyres, 6 airbags and ISOFIX harnesses ensure that in worst case scenario your loved ones and you are still safe, which is something no one can put a price tag on.
These features make it a compelling case against the likes of the Jaguar F Type R, Porsche’s 911 Turbo and Mercedes Benz’s S Class coupe. The 8 series is a techno infused resurrection of an iconic car and most of its on paper credentials truly matches up to the hype created by its predecessor. It remains to be seen however if the on paper merits translates to real world rewards. Would you go for this car over its rivals? What would be your RM1,000,000 coupe of choice? Share with us in the comments below!
