(May 20, 2019) The 2020 BMW 8 Series Convertible combines open-top, four-seater luxury with sports car performance and handling, a spacious interior and a superb soundtrack to match. Two engines will be offered at launch: a V8 gas engine in the 530 horsepower BMW M850i xDrive and a 320 horsepower six-cylinder diesel will be offered in Europe.

Using the new 8 Series platform and distinctive new design language, the new BMW 8 Series Convertible marries elegance with sporting prowess. With an exterior length of 191 inches and a 111-inch wheelbase, its dimensions match those of the BMW 8 Series Coupé almost exactly.

The focus on exceptional body rigidity for the concept underpinning the BMW 8 Series means that only a small number of additional convertible-specific and weight-increasing measures were required.

The BMW 8 Series Convertible cuts an impressive figure with both the roof up or down. Precise character lines trace the path of the airflow between the front and rear wheels while tapered surfaces around the front wheels and doors spread out at the top of the rear wheels. Discreet contouring marks out the surfacing above the rear wheels as the flanks transition into the rear end.

The compartment for the soft-top roof causes the trailing edge of the car’s body to be slightly higher than that of the BMW 8 Series Coupé. With the roof down the rear end appears extremely flat and low to the road. In addition, horizontal lines and light units extending into the flanks accentuate the width of the car. The third brake light embedded in the trunk lid adds to the low-slung look.

Other model-specific features include a brace of contour lines on the boot, while the L-shaped rear lights are underscored by the line of the taillight bar that lights up uniformly. Twin exhaust trapezoidal tailpipes round off the lower section of the rear apron.

An almost fully-sealed underbody, active air flap control with adjustable kidney grille slats and Air Curtains in the front apron optimize the new BMW 8 Series Convertible’s aerodynamics. Additionally narrow exterior mirror bases reduce the car’s drag coefficient. The front spoiler extension on the BMW M850i xDrive Convertible underlines its aerodynamics-focused design.

In addition to the sculpted rear apron and bespoke side skirts, the M Sport trim includes Air Breathers finished in Pearl-effect Chrome on the inside, exhaust tailpipe embellishers in light chrome and a rear diffuser in Dark Shadow. The fronts of the kidney grille slats come in a neatly coordinated Aluminum matt.

The M Technic Sport Package for the BMW 840d xDrive Convertible features the BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line trim, which encompasses kidney grille slats and the grille frame in High gloss Black, Air Breather inlays and the exhaust system’s tailpipe embellishers in Black Chrome.
 
The new BMW 8 Series Convertible’s roof is lightweight and provides superb acoustic insulation. Opening and closing automatically at the touch of a button in 18 seconds, the insulated roof can be activated when the car is traveling at speeds of up to 31mph.

When the soft-top roof is closed, it sits taut over the interior, thus retaining its coupé-like silhouette without compromising on design. Finished in Black as standard or in Anthracite Silver effect as a cost option, the soft-top stows away neatly under a cover. In keeping with the rest of the car, the cover is finished in colors that complement and match the instrument panel and interior door/side panel trim and features eye-catching domes at the level of the rear seats.

Both the driver and passengers are surrounded by the sweeping flow of the instrument panels in the back and in the front of the cabin, as well as the door shoulders and soft-top compartment cover. Design-led from the outset, the side window border sits flush with the soft-top compartment surround, underlining the connection between the front and rear of the car.

A stainless steel mesh design is featured as standard on all variants. The Ash Grain Metallic Grey high-gloss fine wood trim is also optionally available. The range of options from BMW Individual includes the Piano Finish Black trim variant.

The color of the BMW 8 Series Convertible’s ambient lighting be changed via the iDrive menu and, in addition, the Dynamic interior light function emits pulsating light signals in specific situations. These signals appear on the inner panelling of an open door when the engine is running and on the instrument panel in response to an incoming phone call.

Electrically adjustable multifunction seats are fitted as standard in both models and are trimmed in Merino leather with a range of color choices. The standard M leather steering wheel has multifunction buttons and gearshift paddles to control the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission.

The rear-seat backrest of the new BMW 8 Series Convertible can be split 50:50 and, thanks to the through-loading facility, the capacity of the luggage compartment can be extended as required. With the soft-top closed, the stowage capacity is 12.3 cubic feet. In order to ensure the load compartment offers as much space and flexibility as possible, the soft-top compartment can be lifted and the through-loading facility used even when driving with the top down. Automatic trunk  lid operation is also standard, while the standard Comfort Access feature permits hands-free opening and closing of the boot lid.

The new BMW 8 Series Convertible includes a wind defector as standard. This can be set up in the rear-seat area to reduce turbulence when the roof is down. When not required it can be folded to half its size and stowed in the trunk. Air collars are also integrated in the front seat head restraints as standard, which provide a variable (speed dependent) stream of heated air for warming the neck when driving with the convertible roof down at low outside temperatures. The level of heating is adjusted by a three-stage switch integrated into the switch for the convertible roof.

A new convertible-only rollover protection system has been engineered for the car. It consists of two protective aluminum bars fitted within the head restraints and they will be deployed if the car is likely to roll over to protect up to four occupants.