Beast of Every Nation – The New BMW 850i

The original BMW 8 Series, internally known as the E31, first debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1989. It was only the second post-war BMW production car to feature a twelve-cylinder engine. According to a press release at the time, BMW had “launched its challenge to the world’s finest sports coupes with a design oozing avant-garde elegance, arresting performance attributes, an exceptional wealth of innovations and a sprinkling of exclusive luxury.” After its debut, BMW received 5,000 orders in five days and, by the summer of 1990, all 8 Series models were ordered and accounted for until 1993. For such an expensive car, that’s incredibly impressive.

The new BMW 8 series has the personality of a supercar. The sporty exterior is characterized by an unusual interaction of sharply drawn lines that extend across the entire side of the vehicle and emphasize the concave surfaces and muscular shoulder areas. In combination with the flat roof line, the result is an especially sharp coupé form that sets totally new standards. The BMW 8 Series Coupé introduces a whole new age of BMW design that is immediately recognisable, particularly due to its narrow headlights.

This is probably the fastest car that I’ve driven, there is a strip that I usually use to test the 0-100 with every car and many of the cars get to a 100 in about 9 seconds. The new BMW 850i, however, did in about 5 seconds which is very impressive and dangerous at the same time. It would’ve been perfect if it had the i8 doors though, then it would be something else completely, but I understand that BMW wanted to stay true to their heritage. I usually go to Alexandra to buy nama ya tlhogo (goats head) and you can tell with the reaction that some people only have seen this car online but not in real life. Also, if you don’t know what car it is, you immediately realise that it’s different by the design and width of the car…this is not just any normal BMW.

The modern, yet futuristic interior of the new BMW 8 Series Coupé proves that contrasts can complement each other perfectly. High-quality materials, innovative technologies and numerous colour and equipment variations ensure a luxurious atmosphere and a high-quality appearance despite the distinctive sports car character. Both the elegant operating elements and the clear design lines head only in one direction – straight forward. This underscores the maximised orientation on the driver and lends the interior added dynamics. The perfect conditions for sheer driving pleasure.

As these images demonstrate, the new 8 Series is low-slung and looks both exotic and muscular, yet the newcomer has an elongated sinuousness to it. It’s not a small car either, measuring 4 843 mm in length, 1 902 mm in width, 1 341 mm in height and a wheelbase of 2 822 mm.

The BMW M850i xDrive, is a new 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 motor that produces 390 kW and 750 Nm, which is said to propel the big coupe from standstill to 100 kph in a claimed 3.7 seconds. It is claimed to consume an average of 10.0 L of petrol per 100 km.

This is the basic price, with CO2 tax included. BMW M850i xDrive Coupe       R 1 887 827

Automotive Photographer, Jeffrey Rikhotso and Automotive Retoucher, Amar Kakad 
worked in collaboration to create a campaign for the BMW 2019 BM2 M850i xDrive  
shot in South Africa, Hartebeesport for BMW South Africa.
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Agency _ MARVIN
Client _ BMW, South Africa
Producer _ George Gladwin Matsheke
Art Director _ George Matsheke
Creative Directors _ Jeffrey Rikhotso & George Matsheke
Automotive Photographer _ Jeffrey Rikhotso
Assistants _ Thabo Lakey & Aphelele Seoka
Post Production Artist _ Amar Kakad
Location _ South Africa, Hartebeespoort