Motor Authority - blog Category: 8-Series

Spy shots of what appears to be a heavily disguised BMW test mule have ignited rumors that the German company could still be developing a production version of its four-door BMW CS concept car.

Citing the difficult economic climate, BMW last month stated that it would be focusing on smaller cars and that the production CS, likely to be called the 8-Series, was definitely off the table. BMW's chief executive officer, Norbert Reithofer, stated that the business case for the car was not convincing enough for the company to build a range-topping super-sedan and that BMW did not need "that kind of brand shaper." However, these latest spy shots... Spy shots of what appears to be a heavily disguised BMW test mule have ignited rumors that the German company could still be developing a production version of its four-door BMW CS concept car. Citing the difficult economic climate, BMW last month stated that it would be focusing on smaller cars and that the production CS, likely to be called the 8-Series, was definitely off the table. BMW's chief executive officer, Norbert Reithofer, stated that the business case for the car was not convincing enough for the company to build a range-topping super-sedan and that BMW did not need "that kind of brand shaper." However, these latest spy shots seem to contradict that sentiment. Anticipation of a bevy of four-door sedans from a number of luxury manufacturers may have been enough to force BMW to reconsider its position. Upcoming models from Aston Martin, Porsche, Mercedes Benz and Lamborghini would mean that BMW would be left out of an entire market segment. If the spy shots are actually what they are rumored to be, then this means that BMW is either willing to take a risk on the CS, or that the business case for the car has changed. Previously it was reported that there was only a 1.3% estimated return on investment for the flagship saloon. As recently as September, reports of progress on the car's development at BMW's M Division were emerging. Putting development of the car exclusively into the hands of the M Division was intended to help give it the performance credentials it would need to compete with the likes of the Aston Martin Rapide, Porsche Panamera and Mercedes-Benz CLS. The new spy shots show a large sedan, roughly the same size as the BMW 7-Series, but with a unique front-end and sportier profile. Head over to EVO to see the rest of the shots.BMW 8-series previewBMW Concept CS Read More

On the back of weak financial results announced today, BMW has decided not to risk the launch of an expensive model like the production version of the Concept CS. The car had been conceived as a new range-topping super-sedan for the company, but its business case simply isn't convincing enough, according to CEO Norbert Reithofer.

The return on investment for such a car would only be about 1.3%, reports Automotive News, leaving too little profit for the investment required. As recently as September, reports of progress on the car's development at BMW's M Division were emerging, and it was expected the new car would wear the 8-series tag.... On the back of weak financial results announced today, BMW has decided not to risk the launch of an expensive model like the production version of the Concept CS. The car had been conceived as a new range-topping super-sedan for the company, but its business case simply isn't convincing enough, according to CEO Norbert Reithofer. The return on investment for such a car would only be about 1.3%, reports Automotive News, leaving too little profit for the investment required. As recently as September, reports of progress on the car's development at BMW's M Division were emerging, and it was expected the new car would wear the 8-series tag. Putting development of the car exclusively into the hands of the M Division was intended to help give the car the performance credentials it would need to compete with the likes of the Aston Martin Rapide, Porsche Panamera and Mercedes-Benz CLS. Now that the car has been canceled, BMW will have no direct competitor to those vehicles, leaving it without an entry in what is perceived as an important new segment. The car was already behind the game, not due to arrive until 2010 at the very earliest. Ludwig Willisch, M Division president, said it would take "a couple of years to get the CS to market", meaning its arrival as a 2011 or 2012 model would have been most likely - and that much delay would have put the car at a severe disadvantage. Reithofer said of the cancellation, "At the moment we do not need that kind of brand shaper." Instead BMW is now concerned with pushing its Efficient Dynamics program, enhancing efficiency and cutting costs. "The next step will be a mega city car with two different drivetrain options - one with electric powertrain and one with a highly efficient combustion engine," said Reithofer.BMW Concept CS Read More

The 2007 Concept CS has been both admired and derided for its dramatic styling, but BMW is moving forward with plans to build an all-new range topping four-door coupe around the concept. The new model is expected to revive the 8-series nameplate and is reportedly set to launch in 2010, putting it firmly in competition with the Aston Martin Rapide, Porsche Panamera and Mercedes-Benz CLS.

The car's development is being handled entirely by BMW's M Division, which is also working on a new range of performance SUVs based on the X5 and X6 models. The M1 Homage concept, meanwhile, which was shown at the Villa d'Este earlier this year, stirred a... The 2007 Concept CS has been both admired and derided for its dramatic styling, but BMW is moving forward with plans to build an all-new range topping four-door coupe around the concept. The new model is expected to revive the 8-series nameplate and is reportedly set to launch in 2010, putting it firmly in competition with the Aston Martin Rapide, Porsche Panamera and Mercedes-Benz CLS. The car's development is being handled entirely by BMW's M Division, which is also working on a new range of performance SUVs based on the X5 and X6 models. The M1 Homage concept, meanwhile, which was shown at the Villa d'Este earlier this year, stirred a lot of interest in the company's past and future, but there are no plans for its development as the 8-series is taking the division's full attention, reports Australia's Drive. “We are busy with [the production version of the] Concept CS that is being developed here [at M division]. And that’s why, for now at least, the M1 Homage car is something we like very much, but for the time being is ruled out," said M Division president Ludwig Willisch. Timing hasn't been explicitly defined by Willisch, but he did reveal that it will take at least a couple of years to get to market. “It will take a couple of years to get the CS to market. The naming is not defined yet but it will not be an M car. It’s a car that doesn’t have any resemblance to the other cars built by BMW AG, so it was decided to give the project to us," said Willisch. To help speed up development, most of its components will be shared with the recently revealed 7-series, although it will be longer and wider. Like its rivals, the 8-series is also expected to make use of every available cutting-edge technology and material in its quest to provide four-door size and comfort with GT performance and coupe styling. Carbon fiber, aluminum and bonded composites are all likely to be on the table, as will a possible 6.0L V12 engine. The V12 will essentially be the M5's V10 with another pair of cylinders on the end, meaning it will be a high-revving engine capable of at least 500hp (373kW) with output of 550hp (410kW) or more within the realm of possibility. When the 8-series was last produced it was powered by both a V12 engine that displaced 5.0L and a 4.0L V8. The model survived up until 2000 before being dropped for slow sales. Previous information on the upcoming CS-based flagship car indicated it would not arrive until after 2010, and that may still prove to be the case, especially if any delays arise during design or production. Even if it does make its 2010 production date, it will be on the back foot with competitors like Porsche's Panamera offering a hybrid and diesel variant in the same year, the Aston Martin Rapide well into its release cycle and even the recently-facelifted Mercedes' CLS 63 AMG to contend with. BMW 8-series preview BMW Concept CSBMW 8-series previewBMW Concept CS Read More