Chapter 1
The birth of a flagship grand tourer
Chapter 2
The engineering marvel of the V12 engine
Chapter 3
Cutting-edge technology and cultural legacy
Ch 1 · The birth of a flagship grand tourer
gus Discover the story behind the 1990s BMW 850 in this infographic. See how a billion-mark gamble shaped one of BMW's most ambitious cars.
gus See the 1990s BMW 850 undergoing aerodynamic testing in the wind tunnel to optimize airflow.
BETA
gus Test your knowledge on the birth of BMW's flagship grand tourer. Challenge yourself with trivia about the iconic 1990s BMW 850.
Fun Fact
Wind tunnel magic: The pop-up headlights of the BMW 850i were engineered so precisely that they barely affected the car's aerodynamic drag when raised.
Glossary
grand tourer (noun)
A high-performance luxury car designed for comfortable long-distance driving. BMW debuted the 850i at the 1989 Frankfurt Motor Show as its premier grand tourer.
A high-performance luxury car designed for comfortable long-distance driving. BMW debuted the 850i at the 1989 Frankfurt Motor Show as its premier grand tourer.
Quiz
How long did eager buyers sometimes have to wait for delivery after ordering an 850i in 1989?
Quiz
What unique design feature allows the BMW 850 to have a completely open side window profile?
Quiz
What computer technology, rare in the 1980s, did BMW use to design the 8 Series chassis?