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We were cruising on the
Autobahn heading towards Hanover and
Expo 2000...
In my rear view mirror, I spotted a red car approaching rapidly. Within a few seconds, I identified the car as a sleek, red Ferrari. The distance between us soon narrowed. As the Ferrari
roared past, I saw he was being tailed by an 8 Series BMW, an M850CSi. The BMW was flicking his lights, urging the Ferrari to move over. I sped up and followed as closely as I could to watch the drama unfold. National pride was at stake.
Germany versus Italy, BMW versus Ferrari. Within a few kilometers, the Ferrari moved over, and the
M850CSi sped past, happy to be free of the slower car at last.
It has only been a few years since BMW discontinued the 8 Series coupe, but it sure gets our vote as the most beautiful coupe BMW has ever made. And as you can tell from the
story, it’s the fastest BMW coupe ever built, too.
 More 8
Series...
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The 8 Series Legend...
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Road & Track
"The BMW 850i, renamed 850Ci in 1993, is one of those rare cars whose presence commands a certain reverence. Its tapered, sculpted profile perpetuates classic BMW themes while subtly communicating the
awesome potential of the V-12 that lies beneath its hood. This is a car that longs for the Autobahn, where the turbine-like thrust of its 296-bhp output can whine to its heart's content. Such is the V-12's torque reserve that it can poke along in
the top gear of its 6-speed manual transmission at nearly any speed without lugging. The 6-speed is perfectly grated and weighed, and the spacing of its ratios are such that 65 mph requires only 1800 rpm...the 850Ci is targeted at the rare
enthusiast who can appreciate its specialized virtues. Few--if any--rivals can deliver such a combination of styling, handling and performance." |
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Press Release
"Two of the 850CSi engine's electronics innovations are particularly intriguing. One is variable rpm limiting, which allows higher rev limits in the 6-speed manual transmission's 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th
gears; because top engine speeds are rarely sustained in the lower gears, this results in higher performance without compromising durability. The other innovation is made possible by the V-12's electronic throttle, which replaces mechanical
linkage with a pure electric connection between the accelerator pedal and the two servo-controlled throttle plates. Called Variable Throttle Linkage, the 850CSi system provides two 'ratios' between pedal and throttles: one quick for sporty
driving, the other less quick for gentler moods such as stop-and-go or winter driving." |
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Roundel
"Once on the practically empty Autobahn that ran right by the 850's birthplace factory in Dingolfing, I thought I should see how the then-relatively-new top-speed limiter functioned. It reached its terminal
velocity in no time, and cruising at 156 mph, was no big deal. Then it happened. A few kilometers up ahead, a big double-trailer truck was lumbering along in the right lane. Behind the truck, a lime-green Opel Record, moving about three
kilometers faster than the truck, pulled out to pass. If you're following this, you realize the Opel pulled into our lane--the Warp Speed lane. What was going through my mind at the moment was how to avoid planting a kidney grille squarely in
the rump of an Opel. In an instant, I was on the brakes. The big coupe slowed dramatically. But when you're hauling down from 156 mph, 90 seems like you could open the door and get out of the car. Unfortunately, it was still much too fast-and
now we were truly closing on the Opel at a frightening rate. Both of my arms were stiff against the steering wheel as I got back on the brakes in earnest. Just when I thought about using the guardrail to shave off more speed, as they used to
teach at the Nurburgring driving school, the 850 reached equilibrium with the Opel. Now safely past the truck, the Opel driver pulled back into the right lane. Creeping by the truck, I noticed the driver staring in open-mouthed
disbelief."
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