BMW 850i GranCoupé
It gains in dynamics and modernity what it has lost in pure elegance. Available in a four-door GranCoupé version, the BMW 850i loses none of the qualities of the coupé and cabriolet versions and adds a practical dimension to driving pleasure that is lacking in the two-door versions.
We loved the GranCoupé Series 6, which was a kind of perfect synthesis of sport, comfort and elegance. That was already seven years ago. At the end of 2018, the launch of the Series 8 coupé, followed by the convertible six months later, announced the succession; now effective with this GranCoupé 850, discreetly launched in the midst of the pandemic and now available. Unsurprisingly, this sedan-coupe version derives directly from the coupé, from which it borrows its entire front end, dashboard and front seats. As for the rest, the wheelbase has been lengthened to accommodate two real rear seats (in other words: usable by normally constituted adults and not by hobbits), bringing the car’s length to 5.08 metres, which makes it quite a beast.
We already had the opportunity to notice it (read our test of the coupe in Dandy n°74), as much the lines of the Series 6 were all in full and in loose, as much those of the Series 8 are stretched, all in corners and edges. One evoked a contemporary Gatsby, the other rather appeals to Goldorak. Once this aesthetic consideration is taken into account, the 8′ stands out as the most modern BMW top-of-the-range car, incorporating a number of technological prowess that will be the joy of users of more mainstream lines tomorrow, and the brand’s loyal customers will immediately find their marks there.
When he gets on board, he discovers a cabin with impeccable finishes, entirely clad in leather, aluminium and lacquered panels – not to mention the alcantara of the roof. The fit and finish is perfect, and not a piece of vulgar plastic comes to mind: it’s clearly top-of-the-range. While the large asymmetrical centre console and 6′ driver’s seat are in the background, the lines of the instrument panel, door handles, ventilation nozzles and even the gear selector, all drawn in line, are in keeping with the style of the bodywork. Automobile historians may later have fun considering the divergent styling options taken by the three major premium manufacturers in the 2020s, BMW and Audi stretching their lines when Mercedes was softening itss. In any case, there’s no difficulty in determining a perfect driving position, the seats being adjustable in all respects, in length, width, inclination… Unlike the coupé and cabriolet, while the space at the front remains very generous, the rear seats here are perfectly passable, and the driver can serenely envisage a long trip with friends without fear of getting into trouble with them on arrival. In fact, the full-length rear seats are also comfortable and the rear passengers benefit from the attentions that we are used to finding on board limousines and not sedan-coupe: individual air conditioning, seat heating, USB ports, blinds… On the other hand, the fifth place announced on the catalogue is purely administrative, but we won’t dare to offer it to a person whose esteem we want to keep…
Another good point for the Bowers & Wilkins audio system (an option at €4500: it’s expensive, but at that price you get the bright speakers that beautifully dress up the passenger compartment once night falls), which transforms the car into a rolling auditorium and allows you to have a great time on the motorway despite the monotony caused by the processionary track traffic at 130 km/h.
A daughter of its time, the 850i incorporates everything that technology has to offer as driving aids, such as front and rear collision warnings or active pedestrian protection (appreciable): an appreciable safety arsenal with the notable exception of the lane keeping system, which is really unpleasant to use.
Behind the wheel
Needless to say, driving an 850, whether it’s a coupe, cabriolet or GranCoupé, provides the same intense pleasure. Under the bonnet, the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 delivers its power (and truck-like torque!) with remarkable quietness as long as you don’t climb into the towers, and then with obvious joy when you ask for it outright. Up to 3500 rpm, its thrust is like a tyre, so quiet and controlled, and beyond that the characteristic sound of the V8 is intoxicating for the amateur of beautiful mechanics. Despite the car’s 5-metre length, its steered rear wheels provide astonishing manoeuvrability and its all-wheel drive (xDrive definition standard throughout the 8′ range) provides impeccable traction: The 850 can transform itself from a luxury saloon into a sporty car without any complexes, dropping from 0 to 100 in 3.9 seconds, sticking to the road and accepting to be placed to the centimetre in the succession of bends, while the long wheelbase allows impressive speeds in long bends: a perfect demonstration of mastery of the engine and ground links at their highest level.
Last but not least, fuel consumption remains reasonable for a car with a 4.4-litre, 530-hp V8, as we averaged 13.3 litres during our test drive: more than the 10.5 litres claimed, but a remarkable figure in itself.
As is all too often the case, any reservations will therefore only concern the obligation to resort to a long list of options in order to have a well-equipped car, and the price of those options. For example, our tester, priced at €125,700, was priced at €161,915 with Merino all-leather upholstery (€3,700), SelectDrive Pro suspension (€2,700), a panoramic sunroof (€2,200), Drive Assist Pro (€2,200), and Drive Assist Pro (€2,200). 150), laser front headlamps (1,700), alcantara roofliner (1,250), Comfort package (window and rear window blinds, 4-zone air conditioning, 2,950), B&W hi-fi (4,500), etc, etc, etc. The price of perfection? Not even, according to our criteria, since our car was priced in this way and did not offer a seat massage or television, which is a bit of a shame in this respect.
In brief:
Engine V8 double turbo
Displacement 4395 cm3
Max power 530 hp/5500
Max. torque 750 Nm/1800
Weight 1965 kg
Conso norm 10.5 (13.7/7.7/9.9)
Conso moy test 13.3
CO2 226
V max 250 (self-limited)
0 to 100 km/h 3.9
Prices from 125.700 €