Home > BMW 8-Series
The BMW 8-Series, chassis code BMW E31 was a V12 powered 2-door, 2+2 coupe built by BMW as a substitute for the BMW 6-Series in 1989. Production was stopped in 1999, and the 6-Series was not picked up again until 2003. 30,609 8-Series cars were built in total.1 History
Design of the 8-Series began in 1984, with construction starting in 1986. The 8-Series debuted in Frankfurt at the IAA Auto Show in early September, 1989. Although it was meant to replace the 6-Series, the cars had very different character. While the 6-Series was a solid Grand Touring car, the 8-Series was aimed more towards the supercar market. It was the BMW's flagship car while in production.
Over a billion German Marks were spent on development in total. BMW used CAD tools, still unusual at the time, to design an all new body. Combined with wind tunnel testing, the resulting car has a drag coefficient of 0.29, a major improvement from the 635 CSi's 0.39.
While CAD modeling allowed the car's unibody to be 8 lb. lighter than that of its predecessor, the car was significantly heavier when completed due to the large engine and added luxury items - a source of criticism from those who wanted BMW to concentrate on the driving experience.
2 Models
- 840Ci - (1993 - 1999) V8 M60B40 engine used until 1996, replaced with the BMW M62The BMW M62 is a V8 piston engine. It is a modern aluminum block engine with 98 mm bore centers. M62B35 The 3. 5 L (3498 cc) M62B35 was introduced in the 1996 535i. Applications: 235 hp 320 ft. lbf 1996-1997 E39 535i 1996-1997 E38 735i 245 hp 345 ft.
- 850i - (1989 - 1992) V12 5.0 L BMW M70The BMW M70 is a V12 piston engine. Displacement ranges from 5000cc to 5400cc. 0 L M70 produces 220kW.
- 850Ci - (1993 - 1999) Engine was updated in 1994
- 850CSi - (1993 - 1997) 5.6 L BMW S70
3 External links
8-Series
Rear wheel drive vehicles
