Yahoo Autos Here's What a BMW X8 Would Look Like
BMW revealed the production version of the new, huge X7 SUV just last week, and rumors are already swirling that the brand is working on a fastback "coupe" version. The model would most likely be called X8, and the rendering above shows what it could look like. The coupe-SUV segment was essentially invented by BMW with the launch of the 2008 X6, a model now nearing its third generation. With the addition of the X2 and X4 to BMW's lineup-not to mention the growing number of similarly styled crossovers from other brands-it makes sense that BMW would create an X8.
Okay, maybe "sense" isn't the right word, but there certainly is a business case for it. The X7 is poised to be a strong seller, entering a segment populated by the Range Rover, the Lincoln Navigator, and the Mercedes-Benz GLS. But aside from the Audi Q8 (which is quite a bit smaller), there are no "coupes" in the large-luxury-SUV space; an X8 would be the first. The X4 and X6 are hugely popular worldwide, and they do surprisingly well in the United States. The same goes for the similar offerings from Mercedes.
An X8 would be an opportunity for BMW to go even further upmarket with its SUVs. The X7 is already expensive, starting at $74,895 for the six-cylinder and a $93,595 for the V-8. The X6, positioned as a more stylish and luxurious option, is priced a few thousand dollars over an equivalent X5; the X8 likely would command at least that much as a premium. Thanks to its sloped roofline, it would strictly be a four- or five-seater, unlike the X7, which can seat up to seven.
The X7 is built on BMW's Cluster Architecture (CLAR) platform, which is shared by all of the automaker's new rear-drive-based cars and SUVs. The xDrive40i model uses a turbocharged inline-six with 335 horsepower, and the xDrive50i gets a twin-turbo V-8 with 456 horses. An X8 would likely mimic the X7's powertrain lineup, and we wouldn't be shocked if a high-performance X8 M were to appear down the line. Coupes are sporty, after all.
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