BMW 8 Series

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The BMW 8 Series (chassis code BMW E31) is a V8 or V12-engined 2-door 2+2 coupe built by BMW from 1989 to 1999 with a top speed of 186 mph. A common misconception is that the 8 Series has been a successor for the original BMW 6 Series in 1989; instead it was an entirely new value proposition aimed at a different market with a substantially higher price point. A new 8 Series cost around US$100,000.

Worldwide production ceased May 12, 1999, with 30,621 built.

1 History
2 Transmission
3 Fuel Economy
4 Models and Production History
- 4.1 External Links
5 Reference Links
- 5.1 External Links

[edit] History

Design of the 8 Series began in 1984, with construction starting in 1986. The 8 Series debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) in early September 1989. The 8 Series was designed to move beyond the market of the original 6 Series. The 8 and 6 Series cars had very different character: while the 6 Series was a solid Grand Touring car, the 8 Series was aimed towards the supercar market. It was BMW's flagship car while in production.

Over 1.5 billion Deutschmark were spent on total development (2005 USD $2.2 billion). BMW used CAD tools, still unusual at the time, to design an all-new body. Combined with wind tunnel testing, the resulting car had a drag coefficient of 0.29, a major improvement from the previous BMW M6/635CSi's 0.39.

While CAD modeling allowed the car's unibody to be 8 lb lighter than that of its predecessor, the car was significantly heavier when completed due to the large engine and added luxury items—a source of criticism from those who wanted BMW to concentrate on the driving experience.

Sales of the E31 were affected by the global recession of the early 1990's, the Persian Gulf War, and energy price spikes. BMW pulled the 8 Series out of the North American market in 1997, selling only a combined model total of 7,232 cars over seven years.

[edit] Transmission

The 840 (V8) models were equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. The 850 (V12) models carry either a 4-speed automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual.

[edit] Fuel Economy

840 (V8)

Fuel Type: Premium MPG (city) 15 MPG (highway) 20 MPG (combined) 17

850 (V12)

Fuel Type: Premium MPG (city) 14 MPG (highway) 20 MPG (combined) 16

Source: US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) www.fueleconomy.gov

[edit] Models and Production History

Model	MY Global	MY USA/CDN	Production years	Engine	Volume	Engine alloy	Power	Power(HP)	Torque	Torque(lb/ft)	Production total	Production USA/CDN
830Ci	1992	-	1992	M60B30 V8	2997 cm³	Nikasil	160 kW	214.56 hp	290 Nm	213.86 lb/ft	18	-
840Ci	1993-95	1994-95	1992-96	M60B40 V8	3982 cm³	Nikasil	210 kW	281.61 hp	400 Nm	294.99 lb/ft	4,728	1,649
840Ci	1996-99	1996-97	1995-99	M62B44 V8	4398 cm³	Alusil	210 kW	281.61 hp	420 Nm	309.73 lb/ft	3,075	801
850i/Ci	1990-94	1991-94	1989-94	M70B50 V12	4988 cm³	Alusil	220 kW	295.02 hp	450 Nm	331.86 lb/ft	20,072	4,194
850Ci	1995-99	1995-97	1994-99	M73B54 V12	5379 cm³	Alusil	240 kW	321.85 hp	490 Nm	361.36 lb/ft	1,218	363
850CSi	1992-96	1994-95	1992-96	S70B56 V12	5576 cm³	Alusil	280 kW	375.49 hp	550 Nm	405.60 lb/ft	1,510	225

Source: BMW AG

[edit] External Links

BMW 8 Series Official Specs

[edit] Reference Links

BMW BMW M MINI Rolls-Royce engines	Road car timeline, 1960s-present - v • d • e</span>
	Type	Series	1960s										1970s										1980s										1990s										2000s										2010s
			0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
	Compact	1 Series	LS/700																																												E87
		3 Series							1602,2002											E21							E30							E36								E46						E90-E93
	Mid-size	5 Series		1500,1800,2000												E12									E28							E34								E39							E60/E61								F10/F11
	Full-size	7 Series									E3										E23										E32							E38							E65/E66							F01/F02
	Coupé	6 Series						2000CS				E9							E24																												E63/E64
	Roadster	Z Series																													Z1								Z3							Z4							Z2
	Supercar/GT																	E26															E31									E52									Z10
	Crossover	X3																																													E83
		X5																																									E53							E70