Elite Traveler Summer 2019

BMWM850i xDrive

After a 20-year hiatus, BMW’s 8 Series Coupe returns to the US in the form of the M850i xDrive. What brilliant timing, as some critics argue that BMW has strayed away from its tagline, 'the ultimate driving machine,' thanks to its proliferation of bottom-line-boosting SUVs. The M850i xDrive could, perhaps, course correct the Bavarian brand. Developed concurrently with the M8 GTE racecar, the low, resolute stance and deep vibrato from the exhaust of the M850i xDrive creates unmistakable links between the two. The body, powertrain and suspension achieve the agility, precision and poise 8 Series require. That’s not to say the brand didn’t also have a little fun. Some may want to indulge in the Swarovski crystal shifter or Individual Composition option, which includes an anthracite alcantara headliner, and offers iridescent exterior paint colors and a series of interior trims like ash, red or grain wood. Opt for the BMW Digital Key that utilizes Near Field Communication technology to allow the car to be locked and unlocked from a smartphone. Bid the conventional car key adieu as the driver can share the ‘key’ with up to five people. Price from $111,900 Engine 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 Power 523 hp

Opt for the BMW Digital Key that utilizes Near Field Communication technology to allow the car to be locked and unlocked from a smartphone.