The BMW 8 Series Coupé had its UK premiere at the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed. The luxurious sports car took to the hill along with its racing car sibling - the BMW M8 GTE, fresh from its debut at the 2018 Le Mans 24 Hours – and the new BMW i8 Roadster. The BMW Concept M8 Gran Coupé also made its UK premiere, whilst a trio of cars from BMW’s past steered their way up Goodwood’s famous 1.16-mile course to celebrate its return to Le Mans and success in motorsport.

THE BMW 8 SERIES COUPÉ.

With outstanding performance, emotion-stirring design, state-of-the-art luxury and advanced equipment technology, the new BMW 8 Series Coupé is one of the most exciting new models to emerge in recent years.

Visitors to the festival were not only able to see the car in action in the ‘First Glance’ category, but also on display in the Stable Yard - a unique area at Goodwood dedicated to BMW, which this year focused on luxury, presented in cooperation with the Cass Sculpture Foundation.

THE STABLE YARD.

The Stable Yard also showcased the BMW Concept M8 Gran Coupé, a car that embodies a new expression of luxury for the BMW brand, and serves as a taster for the upcoming BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé and BMW M8 Gran Coupé.

Alongside both cars was the new BMW i8 Roadster and a BMW 740Le in an Individual Moonstone finish. Accompanying these was David Hockney’s 1995 Art Car, a BMW 850CSi painted to show the inside of the car on the outside.

THE BMW M8 GTE.

BMW Motorsport took to the Le Mans starting grid this year for the first time since 2011, with the BMW M8 GTE competing in the fiercely-fought GTE Pro Class.

To celebrate BMW’s return to the world’s most exciting and prestigious event in endurance sports car racing, the BMW M8 GTE was in action at Goodwood with British born factory BMW GTE driver, Alexander Sims, at the wheel.

BMW GROUP CLASSIC.

Joining the BMW M8 GTE were three cars from BMW Group Classic to mark BMW’s past success at Le Mans and in touring car racing. This included the BMW V12 LMR, with a 580hp 12-cylinder engine, that celebrated overall victory at the 1999 Le Mans race; the BMW 3.0 CSL Replica that went on to become series winner in touring car racing during the 1970s and the “Wirtshaus” BMW M1 Procar – a 470hp racer that that took part in the specially created Procar series in 1979 and 1980.

In collaboration with BMW Group Classic and engineers from BMW, Williams Heritage fully restored a FW26 race car in time for Goodwood. The car featured one of the most powerful and highest-revving engines ever in F1 – the BMW P84. Capable of achieving over 20,000 rpm, the BMW 3.0 V10 engine represented the pinnacle of natural aspiration in F1.

THE HILLCLIMB.

A mix of current models and historic classics were lined up and ready to make their mark on one of British Motorsport’s most iconic Hillclimbs. Pier Luigi Martini was reunited with the BMW V12 LMR that he helped steer to victory at Le Mans in 1999, while former European Touring Car Championship, Dieter Quester, drove the BMW 3.0 CSL and Karun Chandhok piloted the WilliamsF1 BMW FW26.

Driving the BMW 8 Series Coupé and BMW i8 Roadster was double British Touring Car champion driver Colin Turkington, along with Team BMW teammate Rob Collard and BTCC driver Paul O’Neill. Watch the BMW i8 Roadster in action on its Hillclimb below.

BMW M PERFORMANCE PARTS CONCEPT.

Making its world debut at this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed was the BMW M Performance Parts Concept. Based on the BMW M2 Coupé, the BMW M Performance Parts Concept achieves an enormous weight reduction of 60kg.

The car took to the hill and featured exclusive M Performance Accessories to help reduce weight, improve driving dynamics and enhance visual appeal.

THE BMW PAVILION.

Visitors to the BMW Pavilion were also be able to see an unparalleled array of BMW product and experiences epitomising an ‘Every Second Counts’ theme. The star of the stand was the BMW Concept Z4 - a car that encapsulates BMW Group’s vision of a modern roadster and looks ahead to the series-production version of the car set to be unveiled later this year. Exciting new BMW M cars were on show too, including the BMW M2 Competition, the BMW M3 CS and an M5 in a striking Java Green finish.

Visitors were also able win prizes and BMW experiences and, once again this year, BMW owners could access the exclusive Owners’ Lounge on the top floor terrace of the Pavilion to enjoy refreshments and view of the festival’s famous Hillclimb. Drivers and guest stars appeared on the BMW Pavilion throughout the festival, with live interviews broadcast to assembled visitors. On Friday, legendary Formula 1 commentator Murray Walker was on stand.