Currently reading: BMW 9 Series could be on cards, hints design chief
A luxurious, Maybach-rivalling four-door coupé could join the new 8 Series as part of BMW's push upmarket

BMW design director Adrian van Hooydonk has hinted that a 9 Series four-door coupé to rival the Mercedes-Maybach S600 could be on the cards as part of the brand’s push into the high-end luxury market.

The German marque recently launched a new 8 Series to take on the Porsche 911 and Mercedes S-Class, as part of plans to move the top end of its range further into the premium market. That strategy is likely to include a number of new models, which could include a 9 Series.

When asked whether BMW had plans for a 9 Series, van Hooydonk said: “Let’s say this: we won’t stop here [with the 8 Series]. Obviously our job is to have more ideas than the company can build, because the other way round would be very bad.

“My team and I are now looking at 2021 and beyond – as far out as 2030. We have a lot of plans.”

Insight: how BMW is reinventing its design and going upmarket

BMW has been evaluating the launch of a range of upmarket cars for years, and has recently introduced a new design language designed to appeal to a high-end audience.The recently launched 8 Series coupé is the first model to carry that name since the original went out of production in 1999, and is set to be followed by a four-door coupé version late next year.

Van Hooydonk added that the 8 Series was just the start of a “new chapter”, saying: “The coupé will always kickstart the next level in design. The same is true for this car.”

The 8 Series shares platform elements with the 7 Series saloon, and such architecture would likely underpin a future 9 Series, which would also share engines with those cars. The 8 Series range includes a 4.4-litre 523bhp V8 petrol engine in the M850i, and a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder diesel producing 316bhp in the 840d. A mild hybrid version is understood to be on the way.

BMW 8 Series: full details on new two-door coupe

A large four-door coupé would likely prove particularly popular with high-end buyers in China, while a 9 Series would also tie in with the potential expansion of BMW’s SUV and electric i ranges. The firm has already trademarked every model name between i1 and i9, iX1 and iX9, and between X1 and X9.

Van Hooydonk also said that the growth of the i brand has given BMW the freedom to push into the premium market: “The i brand has created a lot of opportunities for us, both in the acceptance of new technologies, and also in the acceptance of new design. [In terms of design], a car like the i8 opened doors to us we didn’t even know were there.”

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James Attwood

James Attwood, digital editor
Title: Acting magazine editor

James is Autocar's acting magazine editor. Having served in that role since June 2023, he is in charge of the day-to-day running of the world's oldest car magazine, and regularly interviews some of the biggest names in the industry to secure news and features, such as his world exclusive look into production of Volkswagen currywurst. Really.

Before first joining Autocar in 2017, James spent more than a decade in motorsport journalist, working on Autosport, autosport.com, F1 Racing and Motorsport News, covering everything from club rallying to top-level international events. He also spent 18 months running Move Electric, Haymarket's e-mobility title, where he developed knowledge of the e-bike and e-scooter markets. 

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Michael Joseph 24 August 2018

9 series

after Bimmer 9 series....we will see Audi A10 very soon 

Michael Joseph 24 August 2018

9 series

after Bimmer 9 series....we will see Audi A10 very soon 

Carmad3 24 August 2018

Grill of the Beemer

Looks like a copy of the grill on the Suzuki S cross. That is awful too.