BMW has announced the arrival of the 8 Series Gran Coupe in Singapore, available for $605,888 including COE, at no extra charge from the two-door Coupe

SINGAPORE

BMW has launched the all-new 8 Series Gran Coupe in Singapore, at an event held at the Tanah Merah Country Club Tampines Course on 21 October, 2019.

CarBuyer’s very own Ju-Len has already given you the lowdown on the four-door 8 Series earlier this year in an exclusive preview, but the car has finally made it to our shores, and is yours for a sum of $605,888, inclusive of Certificate of Entitlement (COE).

That price gets you the M850i xDrive version, and interestingly, it is the exact same price tag as the two-door Coupe model. There is therefore no price disadvantage for customers looking for an 8 Series model with the extra practicality of four doors.

READ MORE: We’ve driven both the Coupe and Convertible versions of the M850i xDrive, and they’re very lovely indeed…

For now, the M850i xDrive Gran Coupe is the sole variant on sale here, but local BMW distributor Performance Motors Limited (PML) says that the less expensive 840i model is expected to be available “very soon”. Hotter M8 and M8 Competition versions, in Coupe, Convertible and Gran Coupe flavours, will arrive early next year.

Powering the M850i Gran Coupe is the same 4.4-litre V8 twin-turbo engine found in the two door cars, and produces 530hp and 750Nm of torque. 0-100km/h comes up in 3.9 seconds, 0.2 seconds slower than the Coupe, thanks to a weight gain of just 70kg.

Officially, the 8 Series Gran Coupe is classed as a five seater, with the rear middle passenger getting his own seatbelt. However, the design of the rear bench, as well as the large console in the centre containing the air con vents and controls, means that whoever gets to sit in the middle will be in for a cold and uncomfortable time. Best to treat it as a four seater, or if necessary, a ‘4+1’.

That said, the 8 Series Gran Coupe is still a more practical proposition than its two door siblings. The wheelbase has been lengthened by 201mm, ensuring that there is enough space for the rear passengers to lounge comfortably. The boot too offers 20 more litres of cargo capacity over the Coupe, at 440 litres, enough to fit three golf bags; fitting given the car’s launch location.

The  8 Series Gran Coupe rounds off a busy 2019 for BMW in Singapore, having launched a number of key models this year including the new 3 Series and 1 Series. It has also been productive in the luxury segment, having introduced the 8 Series Coupe, the X7 seven-seater SUV, and the updated 7 Series limousine. BMW reveals that there are no further major launches planned for Singapore for 2019, but will introduce the new 330e and revised 530e plug-in hybrids before the year is out.

READ MORE: Want more luxe? The facelifted 7 Series offers more space and comfort if you’re into that kind of thing…