The new BMW 8 Series has arrived, so to get the lowdown on what to expect from the new range-topping model, we speak to its global product manager, Sarah Lessmann.
What was the key goal in developing the 8 Series?
“The most important information is this: we have a sports car set-up. When we announced the 8 Series, everyone thought it would be a ‘son of’ the BMW 7 Series, like the BMW 4 Series is based on the BMW 3 Series, but that wasn’t the way BMW had the idea of doing a sports car.”
Was it important to make the car close to the 8 Series Concept?
“That’s something we’re very proud of. Normally concept vehicles are quite removed, but on this car there are only a few design details we had to change for legal requirements, such as flattening the shark nose grille a bit.”
Why does the interior differ from other BMW models?
“With the 8 Series, BMW gets back to the driver orientation: the driver is the centre, and anything around their ‘workspace’ is set up to make them comfortable behind the wheel.”
