[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

New BMW 8 Series World Premiere at The Amelia. BMW Kicks Off 50 Years of M Celebrations.

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Global introduction of the new 2023 8 Series and M8 Competition

The inaugural celebration of 50 Years of M

Very rare appearance of the original 1-of-1 E31 M8 Prototype

50 classic and new BMW M vehicles on display at Cars & Caffeine

BMW Group Classic presents a just completed BMW M1 restoration

BMW’s legendary 1999 V12 LMR on display in the 70 Years of the 12 Hours of Sebring class

Fernandina Beach, FL – March 2, 2022…BMW will unveil the newly updated BMW 8 Series and kick off a year-long celebration of 50 Years of M at The Amelia. The Amelia is one of the world’s premiere concours d’elegance events and will take place March 3-6 at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island in Northeastern Florida.

Global introduction of the new 2023 BMW 8 Series and M8 Competition

The Amelia will provide the backdrop for the global unveiling of the new 2023 BMW 8 Series. BMW of North America President and CEO Sebastian Mackensen stated, “The BMW 8 Series represents the pinnacle of luxury performance sports cars from BMW. Therefore, there could be no more ideal setting than The Amelia, one of the most prestigious motoring events in America, to present these exceptional new models to our customers for the very first time.”

Featuring fresh exterior details, an updated and illuminated twin kidney grill, new colors, and enhanced technology inside, the new 2023 BMW 8 Series continues to thrill and impress with grace and power in equal measure. The entire BMW 8 Series line including coupe, convertible, and Gran Coupe will be on display at the BMW installation on the show field throughout the weekend.

50 Years of M at the Cars & Caffeine car show

For the first time, a gathering of 50 vehicles spanning the 50-year history of BMW M will be on display to the public on the show field in front of the BMW stand on Saturday during the Cars & Caffeine car show. The group will include vehicles brought to the show by BMW Car Club of America members from around the country as well as some very special examples from BMW of North America’s classic collection.

“The United States is the largest market for BMW M vehicles in the world,” said Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH, “and we are constantly amazed and delighted by the passion and devotion these enthusiasts invest in their cars, old and new. The opportunity to mark 50
years of BMW M in a beautiful location like The Amelia surrounded by so many extraordinary automobiles and the special people that care for them is indeed a privilege.”

The E31 M8 Prototype

The new 2023 BMW M8 Competition Coupe will be present in full force at The Amelia, and it will share the stage with quite an extraordinary ancestor. Making only its second-ever public appearance in the US will be the mythical 1-of-1 E31 M8 Prototype.

In the early 1990s, in near total secrecy, BMW engineers created the M8 Prototype based on the original 8 Series coupe (E31). After its completion, a single press photo was released with very few details on the car. The M8 Prototype then remained under wraps for nearly two decades – hidden out of sight until 2010.

Official performance testing was never carried out. However, given that the M8 Prototype is powered by a 6.1-liter S70 V12 engine that produced over 630 horsepower (and revved to nearly 8,000 RPM), and has a curb weight of less than 3,200 lbs. thanks to a hood, trunk lid, and doors made of fiberglass, it likely would have comfortably outperformed many of the recognized supercars of the day. Featuring unique Motorsport details inside and out, this fabled and fascinating part of the history of BMW M is not to be missed.

The 2023 BMW iX M60

Joining in the tribute to 50 Years of M and making its concours debut will be the 2023 BMW iX M60, the first high-performance Sports Activity Vehicle from BMW M designed for purely electric mobility. With its M-tuned dual electric motors and M-specific 2-axle air suspension with adaptive damping, the iX M60 can rocket from 0-60 in just 3.6 seconds while providing the legendary M driving experience: power, agility, and precision.

In addition to being an important part of the BMW installation on the show field, the BMW iX M60 will feature in the Taking Charge parade on Sunday during the Concours d’Elegance, in which several electric vehicles will proceed past the reviewing stand.

BMW Group Classic restored 1980 BMW M1

BMW Group Classic will present a freshly-restored 1980 BMW M1 that was commissioned by a US collector. The BMW M1 was the first complete vehicle conceived by the fledgling BMW M GmbH in the 1970s. Jochen Neerpasch, head of BMW Motorsport at the time, wanted to take on archrival Porsche in Group 5 sports car racing with a car developed specifically for competition. Thus, the M1 project was initiated. Time constraints and a lack of expertise in the construction of a mid-engine two-seat sports car meant the M1 would be brought to life with the help of illustrious partners like Italdesign Giugiaro and Lamborghini. With a tubular space frame designed by Gianpaolo Dallara and powered by a 3.5-liter inline 6-cylinder engine designed by BMW Motorsport icon Paul Roche, the BMW M1 debuted at the Paris Auto Show in 1978.

Sadly, before the 400 production units required for homologation could be completed, the racing series for which the M1 was intended was discontinued. The M1 would instead race in the single-make Procar BMW M1 Championship that supported F1 races in 1979 and 1980, and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in Group B from 1981 to 1986.

The M1 on display at The Amelia was delivered to BMW Group Classic in Munich for a thorough mechanical overhaul as well as several corrective measures. The workshop at BMW Group Classic carried out a complete engine and suspension rebuild, and a comprehensive underbody and engine bay detailing, returning each part to like-new condition.

Reconstructive work was done to address rust in the area between the steel door carrier and the fiberglass door skin. Once this was complete, the M1 was given a fresh coat of paint in the original red by none other than Walter Maurer, the legendary artist responsible for applying the designs of artists Alexander Calder, Frank Stella, and Roy Lichtenstein to the early BMW Art Cars.

The 1999 BMW V12 LMR

BMW’s legendary V12 LMR racing prototype will be on display at The Amelia on Sunday as part of a grouping of cars to celebrate the 70th running of the 12 Hours of Sebring.

Jointly developed with Formula 1 partner WilliamsF1, the BMW V12 LMR was built to challenge the 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans and American Le Mans Series (ALMS). The V12 LMR debuted at the 12 Hours of Sebring in March of 1999. Driven by Tom Kristensen, JJ Lehto and Jorg Müller, the car won the race overall in the closest finish up to that time, a mere 9.2 seconds separating first and second place.

Carrying inspiration from that victory to Le Mans, the V12 LMR drove to the front of the field and gave BMW its first-ever overall victory at Le Mans in 1999. This was the first racing car since 1987 to win both the Sebring and Le Mans classics in the same year.

Retiring only twice for mechanical fault in eighteen races entered, the V12 LMR is a testament to BMW’s commitment to advanced automotive design and technology.

[somer]

The Non-LCI LCI

[GOLFFRR]

such a good angle. M8 is a beast! Such a great looking ride

[Ibiza]

Something about the BMW iX M60 being included throws the entire 50 years of M off— leaves a bad taste. Should be restricted to ICE only.

[MadBimmeRad]

Originally Posted by Ibiza

Something about the BMW iX M60 being included throws the entire 50 years of M off— leaves a bad taste. Should be restricted to ICE only.

Let go, enjoy the good stuff and don't sweat the not so good

[Al Pinã]

Originally Posted by somer

The Non-LCI LCI

Not true. They managed to make the grille worse.

[LSM]

E31 M8 wow!! What a car especially for that time.

[spuntyb]

Some great cars in that first post. Thanks for sharing. Still dislike the 8 interior, but the external changes look great. Looks much more cohesive and well thought out, even if the changes are small. I keep toying with replacing the M5C with an M8C, but I just can't stomach paying more for what I feel is less. But who knows…

[xmanpro]

Can't wait to get one.

[Poiseuille]

Originally Posted by Ibiza

Something about the BMW iX M60 being included throws the entire 50 years of M off— leaves a bad taste. Should be restricted to ICE only.

so, just guessing that you're not all that enthused over the new (no doubt upcoming) all-electric IMSA series for sedans…you know, the one where during pitstops they just change out the whole car.

[pseto]

This will be an incredible weekend at the Amelia!

Anyone who's there Sat for Cars & Caffeine, stop by our 50th Anniversary of M display and say hello. If you're a CCA member, we may have some goodies

It's an honor to help run this event on behalf of the M Chapter; selecting the 50 cars was a tough job!

[Drj161]

Originally Posted by Ibiza

Something about the BMW iX M60 being included throws the entire 50 years of M off— leaves a bad taste. Should be restricted to ICE only.

As much as I agree with you, ev is the future and they have to put the newest product there, while also advertising the future of the brand.

[ghaffari46]

Originally Posted by Drj161

As much as I agree with you, ev is the future and they have to put the newest product there, while also advertising the future of the brand.

Yeah but they could have at least make "future" a little nicer!
Porch, Audi and even Tesla did a better job in EV design than ix.

[kyrix1st]

It's a blatant sellout of the legacy of M to promote a car nobody cares about.
They shouldn't complain about enthusiasts' constant bashing of the brand as of late.

[heavyD^2]

Originally Posted by kyrix1st

It's a blatant sellout of the legacy of M to promote a car nobody cares about.
They shouldn't complain about enthusiasts' constant bashing of the brand as of late.

It's just noise at this point. No matter what they do and no matter how well their new cars perform it's just expected that the debbie downers will complain that they have lost their way. The old men yelling at clouds need to understand that time has passed them by and BMW isn't going to halt progress for them.

[GoneIn4Secs]

I can't see any difference , illuminated grill? Some new tech inside?

[440i6MT]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

It's just noise at this point. No matter what they do and no matter how well their new cars perform it's just expected that the debbie downers will complain that they have lost their way. The old men yelling at clouds need to understand that time has passed them by and BMW isn't going to halt progress for them.

And we will not stick around for its eventual demise.

[kyrix1st]

Except halting the progress is exactly what they are doing. Why try to intertwine two mutually exclusive vehicles -an EV SUV and an ICE M sports car- when there is zero resemblance of ///Motorsport in the former?
A Cayenne does not try to influence 911's heritage, although its design may be inspired by a 911. It seems BMW is trying to do the opposite.

If you want to promote an EV, it is best to stick with "i" division and appeal to those who need an EV, and leave the M alone. If the car isn't appealing enough, then that implies a separate problem that cannot be simply patched up by redundant M badges.

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

It's just noise at this point. No matter what they do and no matter how well their new cars perform it's just expected that the debbie downers will complain that they have lost their way. The old men yelling at clouds need to understand that time has passed them by and BMW isn't going to halt progress for them.

[snareman]

Originally Posted by GoneIn4Secs

I can't see any difference , illuminated grill? Some new tech inside?

The iDrive screen is 2" larger. Otherwise same tech. Actually less tech since now only the HK radio is available, at least in the US.

[mjr24]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

Some great cars in that first post. Thanks for sharing. Still dislike the 8 interior, but the external changes look great. Looks much more cohesive and well thought out, even if the changes are small. I keep toying with replacing the M5C with an M8C, but I just can't stomach paying more for what I feel is less. But who knows…

Huh? They literally haven't changed anything with the exterior in the LCI.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by mjr24

Huh? They literally haven't changed anything with the exterior in the LCI.

I thought they got new grilles, new front fascia inserts, new wheel options, and standard shadowline inserts for the headlights. Am I thinking of a different M8?

[GoneIn4Secs]

Originally Posted by snareman

The iDrive screen is 2" larger. Otherwise same tech. Actually less tech since now only the HK radio is available, at least in the US.

i hope it doesnt cost more