Photo: SB-Medien
While the just-around-the-corner BMW G30 and G31 debut will see the 2017 5 Series making a linear transition from one generation to another, things couldn't be more different when it comes to what was supposed to be the next 6 Series - the prototype you see in these spyshots might be working to get the role of the big coupe in the Bavarian automaker's line-up, but chances are this will become the eagerly awaited 8 Series resurrection in the process.
After all, when the original E31 8er came to the market back in 1990, this was offered as serious step up from the retiring E24 6 Series. So yes, we could see the 6er badge being shelved once again.
The prototype seen here makes for a spyshot premiere and while this obviously means the test car is covered in heavy camo, its generous hips still manage to shine through. Following the same principle, the covered rear window does a poor job at concealing the two-plus-two architecture of the vehicle.
The CLAR architecture that certainly serves this prototype should help the coupe keep its weight in check, while providing enough torsional rigidity for the go-fast ambitions of the proposal.
As for what that long hood conceals, it's worth noting that a trademark episode dating to earlier this year saw BMW registering a host of eyebrow-raising badges, with the two ends of the "range" being the most interesting: 825, 830, 835, 845, 850, M850 and (drum rolls) M8. As some of you might remember, the automaker did build E31 8 Series test cars with V12 power, but the project never got the production green light.
Truth be told, the outgoing 6 Series, be it a Coupe or a Cabriolet is caught in between serving overly lavish duties, an area that's much better covered by the two-door versions of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and sportier purpose, such as the boxes ticked by the Porsche 911.
Various reports that showed up earlier this year point out to a repositioning. The original plan, which should've seen the 6 Series going for an evolution instead of a revolution and being topped by a larger coupe based on the 7 Series seems to have been scrapped. Instead, we should end up with the scheme mentioned above.
Returning to the 8 Series, we'll have plenty of time to discuss deeper details until the debut of the machine, which is expected to take place in late 2019 or 2020.
The prototype seen here makes for a spyshot premiere and while this obviously means the test car is covered in heavy camo, its generous hips still manage to shine through. Following the same principle, the covered rear window does a poor job at concealing the two-plus-two architecture of the vehicle.
The CLAR architecture that certainly serves this prototype should help the coupe keep its weight in check, while providing enough torsional rigidity for the go-fast ambitions of the proposal.
As for what that long hood conceals, it's worth noting that a trademark episode dating to earlier this year saw BMW registering a host of eyebrow-raising badges, with the two ends of the "range" being the most interesting: 825, 830, 835, 845, 850, M850 and (drum rolls) M8. As some of you might remember, the automaker did build E31 8 Series test cars with V12 power, but the project never got the production green light.
Truth be told, the outgoing 6 Series, be it a Coupe or a Cabriolet is caught in between serving overly lavish duties, an area that's much better covered by the two-door versions of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and sportier purpose, such as the boxes ticked by the Porsche 911.
Various reports that showed up earlier this year point out to a repositioning. The original plan, which should've seen the 6 Series going for an evolution instead of a revolution and being topped by a larger coupe based on the 7 Series seems to have been scrapped. Instead, we should end up with the scheme mentioned above.
The Big Picture
We'll remind you that BMW is currently working overtime to reinvent its sportscar and GT range, with other moves included in the plan having to do with the previously spied i8 Roadster (remember the confusing i6 badge?), as well as the also-spied Z5, which is being co-developed with Toyota.Returning to the 8 Series, we'll have plenty of time to discuss deeper details until the debut of the machine, which is expected to take place in late 2019 or 2020.
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