BMW Flagship Coupe Set for Spotlight Reveal Next Month
BMW is preparing to unveil a special edition of the 8 Series during Monterey Car Week, where it will share the spotlight with iconic art cars and legendary motorsport machines.
The second-oldest model in BMW’s current lineup may be nearing the end of its run, but the brand isn’t letting it fade away quietly. Instead, BMW is giving the 8 Series a fitting moment in the spotlight with the debut of a special edition at next month’s Monterey Car Week. While specifics remain under wraps, it’s expected that this version will be a standard production model rather than an exclusive, high-priced offering like the Skytop or Speedtop, despite sharing similar underpinnings.
Aiming for Greater Refinement or Performance?
At the Goodwood Festival of Speed, BMW M CEO Franciscus “Frank” van Meel revealed that the upcoming model will serve as a farewell to the M850i trim, which marked the 8 Series’ revival in 2019. With uncertainty surrounding the high-performance M8’s future beyond the 2025 model year, this special-edition M850i might be positioned to bridge the gap—potentially featuring more horsepower and a bolder, more aggressive design.
Alternatively, BMW could take a different approach by incorporating some of the interior luxuries found in the Alpina B8 Gran Coupe, enhancing the 8 Series with greater comfort and refinement. As for body style, van Meel declined to confirm whether the special edition would appear as a coupe, convertible, Gran Coupe—or perhaps all three.
For the 2026 model year, BMW has so far confirmed only two trims for the 8 Series lineup. The entry-level 840i features a single-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six engine producing 335 horsepower, capable of sprinting from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds. Stepping up, the M850i brings a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 with 523 horsepower, slashing the 0–60 time to under four seconds.
However, the future of the high-powered M8 and Alpina B8 Gran Coupe remains unclear. Both were offered for 2025, delivering 612 hp (Alpina B8) and 617 hp (M8), with blistering acceleration times just over three seconds to 60 mph. We’ve reached out to BMW for clarification on whether these top-tier variants will return for 2026 and will update this story as soon as we hear back.
Also Coming to Monterey: BMW’s Racing Heritage
In keeping with Monterey Car Week’s vintage spirit, BMW will showcase a collection of historically significant race cars. At the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Laguna Seca Raceway, the brand will celebrate 50 years of the 3 Series in motorsport by displaying a lineup of track-prepped classics.
Among the highlights is a 1977 BMW 320i Turbo that once competed in IMSA Group 5, taking center stage in the paddock. Joining it on the track will be two modern racing legends: the 2004 BMW M3 GTR endurance racer and a 2011 BMW M3 GT built for the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), both underscoring BMW’s longstanding commitment to high-performance motorsport.
BMW will also make a statement at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Car Week’s crown jewel event, by showcasing two standout entries from its iconic Art Cars collection. Taking center stage on the legendary lawn will be the 1979 BMW M1 Group 4 race car, famously hand-painted by Andy Warhol, a bold fusion of speed and expression.
It will be joined by a much more recent creation: the 2024 BMW M Hybrid V8 wrapped in a striking design by contemporary artist Julie Mehretu. This evocative piece of rolling art not only dazzled visually but also competed in last year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, blending creativity with motorsport performance in true BMW Art Car tradition.
Finally, BMW will use the Legends of the Autobahn event during Monterey Car Week to stage the North American debut of the highly anticipated BMW M2 CS. This track-focused coupe is powered by a 523-horsepower twin-turbocharged inline-six and sends all that muscle exclusively to the rear wheels—a first for an M model with this high-output engine configuration.
This unique pairing promises a raw, engaging driving experience and should make the M2 CS one of the most thrilling enthusiast cars in BMW’s current lineup. Expect it to draw serious attention from performance purists.
