Guilty pleasure of driving in the €123,000 Gran scheme of things

Published on 19 February, 2020

Guilty pleasures have their own allure.

Overview

I wouldn't blame you if your first reaction to the new BMW 8-series Gran Coupe was one of criticism, possibly disdain. In some eyes it is an anachronism, a big petrol gas-guzzler which harks back to a different era and has no place in the electric arena.

I can't blame you, but surely there is a place for all sorts in our so-called democracy? If you wish to spend €123,000 on a large four-door coupé, should you not be allowed to after being suitably penalised for your luxury leanings?

On that basis, I'm afraid I set real-world logic aside for the duration of my sojourn in this Gran Coupe.

That is not to say I don't think it is ridiculously expensive and a heavy consumer of fuel and emitter of CO2. I do, but if one pays one's dues then let the would-be buyer go and enjoy. If you've earned it, you've earned it.

So on that note let's get going. Speaking of notes, this had me with the first ripple of managed sound from the tailpipe. Mmmm, there is something about it that says big car, big engine.

It is large, low-slung outside and in and you notice the difference that makes when you get moving.

There is a lovely driver-focused main central cluster divided into three horizontal levels: top is the infotainment/interactive screen; mid is ventilation - I like the way the outlets are designed; and bottom level is the slim audio slot.

There is a big convex screen in front of the driver, behind the steering wheel, to show speed, fuel consumption and so on. All in all, it's a tasty piece of placement and design but maybe not special enough for the money? Much of it adorns lesser BMW motor mortals. Should this Gran Coupe have its differentiating own? Yes.

The crystal-like gear stick and rotary control take centre stage on the central console, which has a good-sized stowage area under the leather armrest. Every exterior panel is different than the 'standard' Coupe on which it is based, from the windscreen back, including the rear wings.

There is copious space in the front. Technically there are three rear seats but God help you if you had to sit in the middle one. Headroom back there isn't great but you get climate control vents, USBs and so on. I liked the seating and, with the electric adjustable steering wheel, settled quickly.

The power from the 3-litre petrol was seamlessly conveyed and matched by the eight-speed auto transmission. I kept my test car in Sport mode most of the time. Just for the bit of edge, you know.

For a large car it was enjoyably lively, though it doesn't reach sports car levels of handling and ride. The fun, I think, comes from how you drive a car like this.

On twisty country roads it was excellent on balance and verve, giving that feel of grip and give which marks a well-tuned chassis. The springing is stiffer than a 5-series.

On the motorway I often let the speed drop so I could accelerate to the legal limit just to hear the sound of the exhaust as the rev needle stretched to 6,000rpm. Ah! how sweet a big petrol engine can be to drive. This was great - I'll have to flog myself with sally-tree saplings by way of penance for that utterly un-green utterance.

By having the seating so low in the car I got a greater sense of what I call motion involvement.

And the self-drive function worked well except for where the inner road-marking line discontinued, when approaching an off-ramp, for example.

But who needs self-drive when you can drive it yourself - which is what this Gran Coupe was made for, surely? Guilty pleasures have their own allure.

Factfile: BMW 840i Gran Coupe

* 3-litre petrol (2,998cc, 340bhp, 0-100kmh in 5.2sec, 4dr auto, €570 tax.

* Price including options: €123,803.

* Specification on the test car included extended leather trim, M Sport Technic package/braking system/aerodynamic bodystyling, Laserlights, technology package, Driving Assistant, Park Assist Plus, drive recorder, front seat ventilation, 20in alloys, heated front/rear seats 4-zone auto air con, harman/kardon surround sound; Live Cockpit Professional.

* The front doors are longer as is the wheelbase (20cm) while the roof is higher.