MUNICH -- When it comes to prestige and spaciousness, BMW's 6-series coupe has lagged behind Mercedes-Benz's S-class coupe. Now BMW aims to change that, sources tell Automotive News Europe sister publication Automobilwoche.
The sources say BMW is reviving the 8 series, the big coupe built from 1989 to 1999. The new coupe is expected to fill the gap between the 7 series and BMW Group's Rolls-Royce Wraith in the "150,000 euro-plus" range (about $165,000.)
A two-door coupe is planned to arrive in late 2018, and a convertible a year later. An M8 performance version is under discussion. A 12-cylinder version is also coming, sources say.
Meanwhile,
the 6-series coupe and convertible are not scheduled to be replaced,
though BMW may re-christen the next 5-series GT as the 6-series GT. The
fate of the 6-series Gran Coupe is still up in the air, the sources
say.
