Limited to 500, BMW’s 2026 M850i Edition M Heritage channels the original 8 Series with E31 colors and full M850i performance.
BMW opened Monterey Car Week with the 2026 M850i Edition M Heritage, a limited Gran Coupe that nods to the original 8 Series while riding on today’s 523-horsepower M850i xDrive platform.
The commemorative model, limited to 500 units worldwide, arrives as BMW of North America marks its 50th anniversary in 2025. Production begins in November with deliveries slated for early 2026, the company said.
Paint choices are drawn directly from the E31-era palette that launched the 8 Series in 1989: Bright Red, Mauritius Blue metallic, Cosmos Black metallic, Oxford Green metallic and the rarer Daytona Violet metallic. Each car receives BMW Individual application for a deep, lacquered finish. Exterior cues include a carbon-fiber roof highlighted by M tri-color striping, 20-inch Orbit Grey dual-spoke wheels over M Sport brakes, and Shadowline lighting and trim.
Inside, the Edition M Heritage leans into motorsport themes. M Sport seats are trimmed in black Full Merino leather with Alcantara accents, diamond quilting and tri-color stitching, with subtle M logos on the headrests. Alcantara extends to the headliner, dashboard and upper door panels. A matte carbon-fiber console frames the glass shift lever and iDrive controller, while “Edition M Heritage” scripts on the doorsills and cupholder cover underscore the car’s limited status.
The special edition is sold in a single, highly equipped specification that includes the Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System and the Driving Assistance Professional Package. Buyers’ only choice is color.
Powertrain specifications mirror the standard M850i xDrive. The 4.4-liter TwinPower Turbo V-8 produces 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, routed through an eight-speed Steptronic automatic to all four wheels. BMW cites a 0–60 mph time of 3.9 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.
While the visual references are retrospective, BMW positioned the car as a driver’s celebration rather than a static showpiece during Car Week events leading up to the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. “BMW’s cars make you feel like there is a great future ahead, but you can still live the past,” said Tom Plucinsky, head of BMW Group Classic USA.
The debut underscores BMW’s broader Monterey presence, with heritage programming marking the brand’s half-century stateside and a slate of current M models on display. Pricing for the 2026 M850i Edition M Heritage was not announced.
