BMW 8 Series Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

BMW introduced the first generation of the 8 Series, the E31, in 1989 as a replacement for the first generation of the 6 Series, which has been on the market since 1976, and despite being considered an excellent Grand Tourer, it couldn't hide its age.

While the 6 Series was a highly appreciated coupe in its segment, it lacked a few items to be considered an excellent GT. For starters, it only had six-cylinder engines, and that didn't help too much. Furthermore, since it was built on top of an old platform, it couldn't integrate some modern technologies. BMW understood that and listened to what its customers demanded, so it delivered. The 8 Series was a far more technologically advanced car than most of its competitors, offering features such as an electronic adjustable damping system and passive rear steering.

The car's exterior resembled the mighty M1 from the late '70s with its slim nose and pop-up headlights. From there on, there was no connection between them. Still, the narrow front end sported the kidney grille in the middle, flanked by parking lights and blinkers. Below the bumper, in the apron, BMW installed a second air intake that improved engine cooling.

From its profile, the sleek-looking 8 Series impressed with its elegant shape, influenced by the bio-design language that had just started to rise in the automotive market. The enlarged front fenders complemented the flowing lines of the hood. At the back, the sloped rear window and the enlarged quarter panels followed the same design idea as the front ones. Finally, at the back, a short deck covered the trunk space, while the wide taillights covered almost the entire car's width. Bellow, under the rear bumper, the automaker added four exhausts grouped by two on each side of the vehicle, with either round or squared tips, depending on the engine version.

Inside, the 8 Series was a legit luxury car that offered all the necessary features for a comfortable ride and then some more. The dashboard didn't have the same square look as other BMWs but was a more rounded one. Fronting the driver was a clean-looking instrument cluster with just four dials and small LCDs at the bottom for the odometer. The raked forward center stack made the car look like it came from the future and sported one of the most advanced onboard computers for those times. A Stereo cassette player with powerful speakers delighted customers, and an in-trunk CD changer was available. The front bolstered seats featured integrated seat belts into their seatbacks, while in the back, there was hardly room for two grown-ups separated by the tall transmission tunnel. Dual-zone climate control, front seat heating, and power windows for all four were also standard.

In terms of engineering, BMW tried to exceed customers' expectations. The car was introduced with a 5.0-liter V12 engine carried over from the 750i luxury sedan but improved to provide more power. In the U.S., it was paired with a standard six-speed manual, while a four-speed automatic was available at no extra cost. Last but not least, besides the standard ABS, the 8 Series was available with a decouplable automatic slip regulator named ASC+T (Automatic Stability Control + Traction).