BMW Teases 8 Series Coupe

Confirming previous media reports, BMW AG CEO Harald Krueger says the carmaker will launch an all-new 8 Series coupe next year in Europe.

BMW released a silhouette teaser image of the vehicle today at its annual meeting in Munich. A concept version of the car will be unveiled later this month at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este event in Lake Como, Italy.

U.S. deliveries likely will follow the European introduction by about a year, according to media reports.

Speaking at the annual meeting, Krueger says the new 8 Series is part of BMW’s plan to update its entire lineup with a focus on luxury/performance. Noting there are “margins to be earned” in this segment, Kruger says BMW aims to “significantly” increase revenue from high-end luxury models in the next three years.

The 8 Series will share a platform with the current 5 and 7 Series cars. It is expected to be positioned between the 7 Series and BMW's Rolls-Royce Wraith in the "150,000 euros-plus" range (about $165,000), company sources tell Reuters.

The 8 Series coupe will be followed by a convertible variant in 2019. An M8 performance version—and possibly a 12-cylinder engine—also is said to be in the works.

BMW produced the original 8 Series coupe from 1989 to 1999.