The BMW 8 Series has been revealed testing in Italy ahead of the launch of the flagship sports car later this year.

BMW HAS PUT its new 8 Series through its paces at the Aprilia outside of Rome in Italy ahead of the vehicle’s launch later this year. It’s expected the 8 Series will take over from the 6 Series Coupe which will end production later this year.

Alongside the release of images of a camouflaged 8 Series, BMW said: “A close-to-series prototype is currently undergoing intensive testing on a high-speed proving ground in Aprilia, Italy. The tests serve in particular to optimise the vehicle’s driving dynamics on surfaces with a high friction coefficient and mark yet a further decisive stage on the way to the launch of the new BMW 8 Coupe during 2018”.

The 8 Series carries typical BMW design hallmarks, some borrowed from the 6 Series; there’s the stretched lines down the flank, the thrusting bonnet and short rear end. The BMW 8 Series is being developed alongside the M8 and M8 GTE racecar which will gets its debut at the Daytona 24-hour next week before going on to race in the 24-hour race at Le Mans.

 “The test drives under the most severe conditions show that we are right on target with our concept for the new BMW 8 Series Coupe. The vehicle dynamics values already achieved are absolutely impressive. Our customers and fans can look forward to a genuine sports car,” says Klaus Fröhlich, member of the board of the BMW AG, Development and Research, who oversees the test programme in Italy.