2019 BMW M850i XDrive Convertible
The second member of the new BMW 8 Series family is now ready to enter the market with an exquisite, luxurious and sporty design. The 2019 BMW 8 Series Convertible is joining its coupe brother in a new luxury segment where BMW aims to be an important player. Even though BMW sold the 8 Series for almost ten years, as it ended production in 1999, a drop-top model was never produced. So this new BMW 8 Series Convertible is truly the first of its kind. Not only is the new 8 Series Convertible the first of its kind but it鈥檚 also the best looking drop-top BMW since the Z8. To highlight the offerings in the UKL segment - or short for the upper luxury class - BMW has invited me to Algarve, Portugal to test drive the new M850i xDrive Convertible. Just the day before I was in the new 7 Series along a similar route, so it鈥檚 needless to say I was excited to put the top down and experience one of the most powerful BMWs available today. Before I jump into the review, let鈥檚 take a look at the high-end segment for cabriolets.
Alongside the new 8 Series Convertible, there are some more expensive offerings with their own appeal. The S-Class Cabriolet from Mercedes-Benz is one of them, along with the Bentley Continental GT Roadster and Aston Martin Vanquish S Volante. 122,395 including the destination and handling tax. 9,500 more than the Coupe alternative, in case you were wondering. Customers in Europe do get a better deal by having the choice of an 840d Convertible which starts at 100,000 euros in Germany. While the standard 8 Series Coupe is muscular and sporty looking, losing the roof adds a beauty. Sans roof, the 8 Series Convertible is equally stunning and luxurious, and while it鈥檚 not as flashy as its competitors, it鈥檚 certainly elegant and sporty at the same time. It might be understated with the top up, but as soon as you lower the roof, its beautiful design lines turn many heads. Climbing behind the wheel is quite a treat; the convertible welcomes you with a premium cabin which inherits almost of all its elements from the coupe.
The Merino leather of the front seats in Ivory White is superb and of the highest quality, and when paired with the fine-wood trim 鈥楩ineline鈥?copper effect high-gloss, the experience becomes even more premium for the driver. The tech also comes from the coupe-brother, so you鈥檙e getting the same dual 12.3 inch screens, paired with the Glass Application in the M850i, and an M Sports steering wheel. Features specific to the M850i Convertible are the neck warmers, for the driver and front passenger, that blow warm air from just below the headrest, to allow an open-top experience even in chilly weather. Also due to the more tapered shoulder around the rear seats, the passengers in the back have slightly less shoulder room. Nonetheless, the rear seats should really only be used for shorter distances. Customers can also buy an M Carbon package, which adds air intake bars, mirror covers and a rear diffuser. Compared also to the outgoing 650i Convertible (445 hp), this is a significant bump in power and performance.
The convertible weighs around 4,740 lbs, which is approximately 260 pounds (117 kg) heavier than the M850i Coupe, so technically, the driving experience should be similar. Thanks to its lightweight construction using aluminum, magnesium and carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP), the M850i Convertible is also 97 percent as stiff as the coupe. The stiffness is also enhanced in the M850i Convertible by an additional thrust panel under the front axle, stiffer A-pillars and a torsion ring above the rear axle. A new rollover protection system has been engineered for the convertible to protect up to four occupants, so that gives you the confidence to push the car even without a hardtop. The protection system features two aluminum bars behind the rear-seat head restraints. If you鈥檙e not familiar to the reasons why we always find ourselves in Portugal, then allow me to enlighten you. Firstly, great weather, almost year-round, which ensures that the weeks-long press drives can continue without interruptions. Secondly, some great driving roads, curvy and fun, with beautiful landscape surrounding them, and most importantly, not much traffic. Thirdly, it鈥檚 Portugal - people are friendly and the food and wine is great. In whichever order you prefer.
So as you might have guessed by now, I quickly find myself aboard a Dravit Grey M850i Convertible with an xDrive system. Putting grip to the ground is a set of 20 inch Bridgestone Potenza S007 performance tires wrapped around the 20鈥?M light allow wheels Y-spoke style 728 M Bicolour Cerium Grey. To test both scenarios - with or without the top - I leave behind the beautiful Conrad Algarve and heading towards Faro through the usual backroads. The top is up for now, yet you鈥檙e not entirely disconnected from the outside environment. The cabin is of course a bit noisier than the coupe, but that鈥檚 not something that I mind considering the excellent noise from the V8 engine. The wind noise with the top up is also insignificant so it won鈥檛 impact your driving experience even at higher speeds. But since most customers would buy the M850i Convertible to enjoy the open top feeling, I now push on the button to retract the soft canvas. The digital screen warns me that my speed is above 50 km /h (31 mph), so I slow down just enough to complete the process.
