With three body shapes and dozens of variants, the BMW 8 Series is not lacking variety – and yet its designers have not quite finished gilding the lily just yet. Behold the new Golden Thunder Edition, a special trim pack which goes to town on the finish of 8s of any available body shape. It's applicable to any engine variant, too, and comes with BMW Individual equipment so the standard specification is higher than it would otherwise be. Mercifully, the 625hp M8 Competition is not included.
With BMW’s twin-turbo 4.4-litre to do the talking, you wouldn't have thought the 850i pictured needed much help garnering attention, but like all 8 Series Golden Thunder Editions, it comes in a choice of two metallic body colours – Sapphire Black or Frozen Black – and adds gold to the mirror caps, front bumpers and lower sides, as well the bumper and, of course, the 20-inch wheels. The underlying spec remains M Sport as standard.
The interior not been left unattended, with Aluminium Mesh Effect Gold in the place of silvers and greys on the centre console and transmission tunnel, set against Merino black leather seats. You get the optional Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System as standard, too, as well as BMW’s higher-spec infotainment system, which works with the digital instrument cluster. It remains a smart , albeit somewhat Goldfingery looking cabin.
Given the popularity of black trim packs in Britain, you probably won’t be surprised to learn that a BMW spokesperson confirmed to PH that the Golden Thunder Edition won’t be headed to the UK. It’s for the continent (and presumably, China), to option for the regular two-door coupe or convertible models, as well as the four-door Gran Coupe – for a yet-to-be-confirmed price.
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