BMW’s 2019 flagship xDrive coupe features more than 500 horsepower, all-wheel drive and four-wheel steering.
If you’ve been patiently awaiting the return of the BMW 8 Series (and we mean patiently in the strongest sense of the word because it’s been 20 years), we have good news. You’re one step closer to it because BMW released official pricing for the all-new 2019 model.
The price of entry into BMW’s 8 Series range is $111,900. That buys access to the BMW M850i xDrive. As its name implies, it has some M performance DNA as well as a V8 and BMW’s all-wheel drive system. The standard M touches include an Adaptive M Suspension with Active-Roll Stabilization and M Sport Brakes. For the first time ever on a non-M model, BMW will offer an optional carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) roof, as well as a Carbon Package with CFRP air intake bars, mirror caps, rear spoiler, and rear diffuser insert.
The M850i also comes standard with LED headlights, which feature BMW LaserLight tech. Inside, there’s BMW Individual Merino Leather, 16 speakers of Harman Kardon audio, 12.3- and 10.25-inch digital displays, and navigation. No new BMW would be complete without the latest generation of iDrive, so look for that in the new 8’s cockpit, too.
The Driving Assistant Professional, a 1,400-watt Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound system, and Glass Controls for the shifter, iDrive controller, start/stop button, and volume knob are available as optional extras.
Under the hood, the 4.4-liter BMW TwinPower Turbo V8 is equipped with a stronger aluminum block, reinforced pistons, a pair of twin-scroll turbos, High Precision Injection, VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control, and Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing. Output is 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque; that’s routed through an eight-speed automatic, xDrive, four-wheel steering, and an electronic M Sport rear differential. Flat out, the M850i can hit 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph.
Now here’s the bad news: The 2019 BMW M850i xDrive won’t show up in dealerships until December 8th.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
