2020 BMW 840 Gran Coupe Road Test and Review

2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe Top Front Doors Open ・ Photo by BMW

The all-new 2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe isn’t the brand’s largest sedan, or its most expensive. It also isn’t BMW’s most powerful four-door, or its quickest or fastest. So what is the new 8 Series Gran Coupe? It's BMW’s sexiest sedan.

It’s basically a four-door version of the sleek 8 Series coupe and convertible, which debuted last year. The 8 Series Gran Coupe replaces the 6 Series Gran Coupe and slots between the 5 Series and the 7 Series in the automaker's extensive lineup. Yes, it’s confusing. First of all, the name Gran Coupe surely suggests two doors, while there are four. You would also think that the 8 Series would be larger and more expensive than the 7 Series. Well, it is not. The new Gran Coupe competes with a few other high-end “four-door coupes” including the Porsche Panamera, Audi A7, and Mercedes-Benz CLS.

Starts Around $86,000

You can think of the 2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe as a four-door version of the 8 Series Coupe, or as a BMW 7 Series with a sexier shape. Both are true. All three cars are built in Germany and share the same platform, suspension hardware, and powertrains, and much of their interiors.

BMW offers a few versions of the 8 Series Gran Coupe. The rear-wheel drive 840i, like our test vehicle, starts at $85,895, including a $995 destination charge. That’s about $3,000 less than the two-door coupe. It’s also about the same price as a Porsche Panamera, while the Mercedes-Benz CLS and the all-wheel drive Audi A7 are significantly cheaper. Our test vehicle was equipped with a few pricey options and packages that drove its sticker price up to $96,695. The 840i xDrive Gran Coupe features all-wheel drive and costs $2,900 more than the rear-drive 840i. These two models are powered by a sweet 335-horsepower 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder, and every 8 Series Gran Coupe gets an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Photo by BMW

Driving enthusiasts want the M.

BMW also offers the all-wheel drive M850i xDrive Gran Coupe, which is the high-performance version. It costs $109,895 and features a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 putting out 523 hp. It’s essentially the same engine used in the 600-hp M5 sedan, only tuned for less power. All BMWs are powerful and fun to drive, but its special high-performance models are created by its M division, which is the German automaker's in-house hot-rod or tuner shop.

These are the people responsible for the legendary high-performance M3 and M5 models, and they’re now cranking up the performance of BMW’s many other models, creating the M Performance Line of cars and SUVs. These aren’t all-out hardcore M machines like the M3 and M5, but they perform significantly better than BMW’s mainstream models. In addition to its snarling V8, M’s engineers have also given the M850i Gran Coupe a more aggressively tuned suspension, larger tires, massive M Sport brakes, and a special M Sport differential to improve grip and agility.

Photo by BMW

Serious Acceleration

BMW is famous for its smooth inline six-cylinder engines, and the turbocharged 3.0-liter under the hood of the 840i Gran Coupe is one of its best. With a linear torque curve and a willingness to rev to 7,000 rpm, it offers power at any engine speed. There isn’t any turbo lag, ever, and this big and heavy sedan gets off the line with considerable punch.

Use its Launch Control feature and BMW says the rear-wheel drive Gran Coupe can hit 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds, which is almost a full second quicker than a base Porsche Panamera. It’s even quicker with the additional traction of its optional all-wheel drive system. The engine is also perfectly matched to the sedan’s quick-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission, which has a Sport mode for quicker gear changes and can be manually shifted with paddle shifters. If you want a four-door with supercar acceleration, step up to the M850i Gran Coupe. It’s packing over 550 lb-ft of torque, and it gets the sedan to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds, as quick as a 550-hp Panamera Turbo.

Photo by BMW

Comfortable and Agile

Our 2020 BMW 840i Gran Coupe test vehicle was equipped with massive 20-inch wheels and tires, yet its ride was luxury-smooth. In Comfort mode, it’s never harsh and the BMW delivers a high level of refinement, with light steering and very little engine noise. Its suspension is also adjustable from the driver's seat and can be firmed up by choosing the Sport and Sport Plus settings. These modes also add weight to the steering, quicken its throttle response, and increase the rumble of the engine inside the cabin.

At 200 inches long and over 4,200 lbs, the Gran Coupe is big and burly for tight mountain roads, but its performance will put a smile on your face. Although a Porsche Panamera is more rewarding to drive on a twisty two-lane, the BMW is agile and offers true sports sedan athletics. Its steering is quick and responsive, but a bit vague. Its brakes are fantastic, with a firm pedal, and stops from high speeds are drama-free.

Photo by BMW

A Long List of Available Safety Systems

In such an expensive luxury sedan, you expect all the latest technology and driving aids — but unfortunately, BMW makes you pay more for many of its safety systems. A frontal collision warning with low-speed collision mitigation is standard, but you’ll pay extra for blind-spot monitoring, a lane-departure warning, a surround-view camera, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assistant with active side-collision protection, active cruise control with stop-and-go capability, and others. It’s a bit disappointing. Many similar technologies are standard on a long list of cars costing much less.

Some buyers will also be disappointed to learn that Gran Coupe’s all-wheel drive system isn’t the tunable system from the M5, with its three settings and crafty rear-wheel drive mode. In the Gran Coupe, the system makes all the decisions for you. BMW says engine power is split between the front and rear tires as needed to maximize traction and stability. But to increase fuel economy, all of the power is directed to the rear wheels when all-wheel drive isn’t necessary.

Photo by BMW

Solid Fuel Economy

Despite its impressive performance, this BMW’s fuel economy is very good for the class. The rear-wheel drive 840i Gran Coupe is rated at 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. Add all-wheel drive and those numbers dip by 2 mpg. The all-wheel drive Audi A7 is more fuel-efficient, matching the ratings of the rear-wheel drive BMW. The more powerful M850i Gran Coupe is rated at 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.

All models benefit from a smooth start/stop function, which shuts off the engine at red lights to save fuel, but they all require more expensive premium-grade gasoline to maximize the performance of their turbocharged engines. They also have large 18-gallon fuel tanks and offer significant range, especially when cruising on the interstate.

Photo by BMW

A Beautifully Crafted Interior

Everything looks and feels expensive inside the 8 Series Gran Coupe, from its knurled knobs to its well-shaped, firm leather seats, to its optional M exclusive three-spoke steering wheel, which is extra thick. Although visibility is compromised by the sedan’s low roofline and thick pillars, its fit, finish, and materials are spectacular and the cabin’s vibe is entirely modern. Its all-digital gauge cluster is a bit busy, but it's visually cool and includes a large tachometer with an unusual counterclockwise needle sweep. You'll love it or hate it. The latest version of BMW’s iDrive infotainment system is easily navigated using either the sedan’s 10.25-inch touchscreen or a large dial and buttons well-placed on the console. A massive panoramic sunroof is standard.

But the absolute coolest feature on our test vehicle was its optional Glass Controls, which cost $650. It adds hand-made diamond cut glass trim to the shifter, iDrive Controller, the start/stop button, and the volume knob of the audio system. It’s like something out of a futuristic concept car.

Photo by BMW

Sizable Back Seat and Trunk

BMW also baked in plenty of interior storage space. The Gran Coupe features a large center console bin and door pockets with provisions for water bottles. Unfortunately, BMW still hasn’t perfected the cupholder. They’re a bit small and questionably placed ahead of the shifter, so tall drinks can interfere with or block the climate controls.

With a 7.9-inch-longer wheelbase than the 8 Series Coupe, this sedan offers a usable rear seat. Legroom is generous, but headroom is tight if you’re over 6 feet tall. The Gran Coupe is effectively a four-seater, as its center console runs through to the back seat. There are five seat belts, however, so you can squeeze in a fifth if you have to. The BMW also has a sizable 15.5 cubic feet of cargo space, and the rear seat folds flat in a 40/20/40 split for more.

Photo by BMW

Final Thoughts

BMW certainly got the look of the 8 Series Gran Coupe right. And its designers didn’t just stretch the wheelbase of the standard coupe and add a couple of doors. Almost every panel is new. Even the angles of the sedan’s windshield and rear glass are unique, and it features the widest rear track of any BMW, creating a muscular hunkered down stance. And later this year, BMW will unveil an M8 version of the Gran Coupe. With all the power and handling of the M5, it’s going to be one of the world’s best-performing sedans. Also one of the sexiest.

BMW’s 8 Series Gran Coupe is easy to recommend. It’s fast, comfortable, and impressively appointed. If you desire a luxury sedan that turns head and handles the turns, it’s an excellent choice.

Photo by BMW