Mark your calendars everyone, because the new highly-anticipated BMW 8 Series Coupe has an official reveal date. Following last year's stunning concept and numerous prototype test mule sightings, BMW has confirmed the production version of the 8 Series Coupe will finally break cover on June 15. Admittedly, we already knew that thanks to internal documents that leaked last month, but at least we now have official confirmation.
The luxury sports car will be presented on the day before this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans race to mark BMW's return to the legendary endurance race for the first time since 2011 with the M8 GTE. While the M8 GTE can be seen in full in the released teaser image, its road car counterpart is lurking behind it in the shadows. We'll have to wait a little longer for the M8 road car to break cover, but the M850i xDrive will be showcased at next month's reveal event. The car shown in the teaser image appears to be the M850i XDrive that was recently previewed in prototype camouflage form. The grilles in the front bumper look identical, and the wheels also look very similar.
BMW promises the M850i XDrive will boast "outstanding dynamic handling characteristics" thanks to a new V8 engine packing 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, intelligent four-wheel drive and controlled rear axle differential lock. BMW has also confirmed the M850i XDrive will benefit from Integral Active Steering, adaptive M suspension with Active Roll Stabilization and 20-inch light alloy wheels wrapped in high-performance tires. "There isn't be a better setting for the world premiere of the new BMW 8 Series Coupe than the 24-hour race at Le Mans," said Klaus Frohlich, board member of the BMW AG, Development.
"The race is a pure demonstration of passion, dynamics and long-distance capability. These characteristics define our new sports car in a special way." As for the full fat M8, BMW has promised it will unveil the range-topper later this year, possibly at the Paris Auto Show in October. After that, a more practical 8 Series Gran Coupe will complete the lineup.
