BMW 8-Series Full Coverage – Video

The BMW 8 Series (chassis code: E31) is a Grand Tourer built by BMW from 1989 to 1999 powered by either a V8 or V12 engine. While it did supplant the original E24 based 6 Series in 1991, a common misconception is that the 8 Series was developed as a successor. It was actually an entirely new class aimed at a different market, however, with a substantially higher price and better performance than the 6 Series.

The E31’s mutually related successor is the BMW E63, as well as the BMW i8 in 2015. While they are not direct model derivations of the “8xx” lineup, they are the only other touring cars produced by BMW after the E31’s introduction in 1989 with as much size, performance options, and technology that can be classed as anything similar to what the E31 lineup offered for its age.

 

 

Furthermore, the E31 was BMW’s flagship car and had an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). There has never been an ungoverned test for top speed but it’s unlikely the E31 would’ve exceeded 288 km/h (179 mph) even with the 372 HP engine.