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Ofiicial photos of the new BMW 8 Series Convertible have leaked online before its official reveal tonight. The new images follow on from the shots of the undisguised back in July.
The leaked pictures, which first appeared on a Belgian website, show the Mercedes S-Class Cabriolet rival completely undisguised. The Convertible follows on from the 8 Series Cup, which we drove earier this month, and is due to reach UK showrooms in June 2019.
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It's clear from the leaked images that the design carries over many similarities from the 8 Series Coupe. The wide kidney grille, chiseled front bumper and slim LED headlamps have been lifted over unchanged, while at the back of the tail-lights and gaping chrome exhausts also remain; these features indicate this particular model is in fact the range-topping M850i.
Previous spy shots have shown the hood is a fabric set-up, meaning a hard-top roofs are fast becoming a thing of the past. The fabric roof saves weight – crucial given the weight gains of the strenghtening of the flanks to make up for the reduced structural integrity. In all, the drop-top is likely to be around 100kg-125kg heavier than the Coupé, tipping it over the 2,000kg mark.
The M850i model pictured indicates that BMW is likely to mirror the engine line-up from the Coupe. The entry-level Convertible is expected to be the 840d, which will use the brand's 320bhp 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel engine.
Range-topping M850i variants will be powered by a 530bhp 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, which, in the Coupe, is capable of delivering a 0-62mph sprint time of 3.7 seconds; that is likely to increase to a greater or lesser extent due to the additional weight of the Convertible.
All models will use BMW's xDrive four-wheel-drive system and an eight-speed automatic gearbox; the M850i will also make use of active rear-wheel steering, a sports exhaust and a limited-slip differential on the rear axle.
In the future you can expect to see a fully-fledged M8 Convertible arrives. Mercedes-AMG's line-up of S-Class models. The Convertible will also be followed by a larger and more practical four-door Gran Coupe further down the line.
Elsewhere at BMW, the German brand is one of the largest offensives in its history. Before the 8 Series Convertible is officially revealed, the all-new 3 Series Saloon, Z4 roadster and X7 SUV will make their debuts.
Do you think the 8 Series Convertible looks better than the Cup? Have your say in the comments …
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