BMW 850

Bmw 850

Following the World War II, BMW, a German automobile and motorcycle manufacturing company started manufacturing mid-sized family cars. The initial lineup of consumer cars was titled the BMW Neue Klasse (German for “New Class”) and included various compact designs of sedans, coupes, and hatchbacks. BMW introduced a successor to its famous BMW 840 model car and christened it the BMW 850. It featured a high performance engine under the bonnet, and positioned it as a sports car against its chief competitors. The work-horse of the car was a responsive V-12 cylinder engine with Single Overhead Camshafts (SOHC) with a total of 24 valves. The engine displacement was measured at 5.0 Liters with each of the 12 cylinders having an actual volume of 415 cc. This engine delivered extreme performance along with a decent fuel economy. The engine was a naturally aspirated engine, with a custom electronic fuel injection system, from Bo Mot to feed the gasoline mixture. The engine transmission was a 6 speed manual gear-shift with the final gear ratio being the overdrive. A highly sophisticated water-cooling pump assembly performed efficient cooling of this powerful engine. The engine produced a maximum output of 300 BHP at 5,200 RPM and a 450 N-m of torque at 4,100 RPM. It could easily reach a top speed of 160 MPH with acceleration from 0 to 60 MPH in 7.10 seconds. It could cover a distance of a quarter-mile in under 16 seconds. The car was designed as a two-door sport coupe, structured to comfortably seat 4 individuals.

BMW 850i (1990)

Additional Info: The BMW 8 series (E31) was introduced in 1989 and ran until 1999. The 1993-1996 840i/840Ci has a 282bhp 4.0 litre V8 with a 0-60 of 7.3 (auto). In 1996 the 840 got a 4.4 litre V8 with the same bhp but with more torque and slightly more miles to the gallon, but no real change to performance. Incidently in 1992 a small number of 830Ci cars were built with a 215bhp 3.0 litre engine. The 1989-1994 850i/850Ci was as above, but later on in 1994 it got named just 850Ci with an engine increase to 5.4 litres with 322bhp. The 1993-1996 850CSi got a 380bhp 5.6 litre V12 with a 0-60 time of around 5.8-6.3 secs. Shortly after it's introduction the 4 speed auto got replaced with a 5 speed auto. Both 5 and 6 speed manuals were available according to various sources. Alpina built a 350bhp B12 850i and a 416bhp B12 850CSi.

Racing Dynamics K55 Sport Coupe

BMW tuner Racing Dynamics of Italy in 1991 produced a special version of the 8 Series dubbed the K55 Sport Coupe taken from the standard production line. The K55 5.5 Coupe was based on the 850i, powered by the 5.0-liter M70 that was stroked to 5.5 liters, new valves, camshafts lifters and intakes along with extrude honed heads. The one US version engine producing 475 bhp (354 kW; 482 PS) and the Euro version producing 401 bhp (299 kW). 40 K55s were produced for the Euro market and one in the US. In addition to engine modifications, The K55 offered a variety of body, suspensions, rear end options. [11][12]

However, there is no verification of 475 hp (354 kW) produced by this car by Racing Dynamics. The K55 produces 380 hp (280 kW) and 405 ft·lbf (549 N·m) of torque as listed in the 02/1994 Euro car magazine. Racing Dynamic's own website lists the K55 at 401 hp (299 kW).[13]

The 475 hp (354 kW) was declared by Autothority (as listed in the said Road & Track article) who are no longer in business in their original capacity. The 475 hp (354 kW) claim was never verified.

History of development

Design of the 8 Series began in 1986, with construction starting in the same year. The 8 Series debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) in early September 1989. The 8 Series was designed to move beyond the market of the original 6 Series. The 8 and 6 Series cars were distinctly different in design, though both were considered Supercars. The 8 Series however had substantially improved performance, as well as a far higher purchase price.

Over 1.5 billion Deutschemark was spent on total development (2008 USD nearly $1 billion). BMW used CAD tools, still unusual at the time, to design the car's all-new body. Combined with wind tunnel testing, the resulting car had a drag coefficient of 0.29, a major improvement from the previous BMW M6/635CSi's 0.39.

The 8 Series supercar offered the first V-12 engine mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox on a road car. It was also one of the first vehicles to be fitted with an electronic "fly-by-wire" throttle. The 8 Series was one of BMW's first cars, together with the Z1, to use a multi-link rear axle.

While CAD modeling allowed the car's unibody to be 8 lb (3 kg) lighter than that of its predecessor, the car was significantly heavier when completed due to the large engine and added luxury items—a source of criticism from those who wanted BMW to concentrate on the driving experience.

Sales of the 8 Series were affected by the global recession of the early 1990s, the Persian Gulf War, and energy price spikes.[4] BMW pulled the 8 Series out of the North American market in 1997, selling only 7,232 cars over seven years. BMW continued production for Europe until 1999. The ultimate worldwide production total was 31,062

8 Series

Even by today's standards the BMW E31 8 Series is regarded as a supercar, and has become highly desireable now amongst bmw enthusiasts. In its heyday during the nineties the 8 series was one of the most desirable bmw's, competing against top of the range Mercedes and Ferrari's. The 8 Series has become a collectors car, and not one you see on the road much anynore. Hopefully 8 Series owners are taking good care of their beemer and preserving the the life of this famous supercar.

BMW 8 Series Specs and Technical Data

The BMW 8 Series (chassis code BMW E31) is a V8 or V12-engined 2-door 2+2 coupe built by BMW from 1989 to 1999.

While it did supersede the original BMW E24 based 6 Series in 1991, a common misconception is that the 8 Series was developed as a successor. However, it was actually an entirely new class aimed at a different market, with a substantially higher price point and better performance than the 6 series.

The BMW 8 Series was BMW's flagship car while in production. A new vehicle cost around US$100,000 and had an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h), although with the limiters removed top speed was estimated at 186 mph (299 km/h). Worldwide production ceased May 12, 1999, with 30621 built.