Performance Review: BMW 8 Series 850 CSi 5.6 V12 E31 - [1992]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 8 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 8 Series 850 CSi 5.6 V12 E31 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1992. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1993 Jaguar XJ 220 S 3.5 V6 Turbo and the 1992 Bugatti EB110 SuperSport.This particular BMW 8 Series has a 5576cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V12's includes the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12

The 8 Series shares its Petrol V12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12 and the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 8 Series's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1975 kgs (4354 lbs) this makes the BMW 8 Series 850 CSi 5.6 V12 E31 in the same weight category as the 2021 BMW 5 Series M5 4.4 V8 Turbo F90 or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 8 Series shares the same bhp with the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp)

In terms of power the 5576cc 24V V12 engine produces 380 bhp (283 kW) @ 5300 rpm similar to the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp) or the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (360 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V12 throws out 406 lb-ft (550.4 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo (429 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW 8 Series you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1998 Subaru Impreza WRX STI - Classic 22B (217.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW 8 Series.

The BMW 8 Series has a Power to weight ratio of 192.4 bhp per ton and 205.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1992 8 Series competing with the 1998 Subaru Impreza WRX STI - Classic 22B (217.3 bhp per ton) or the 1998 Mazda RX7 RZ (217.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the BMW 8 Series generating around 205.5 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 330S - Hatch (230.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 Porsche 911 50 Years 911 Edition (230.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.0 secs, this made the BMW 8 Series 850 CSi 5.6 V12 E31 as fast as the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (5.80 secs) the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (5.80 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG (5.80 secs) the or the 2017 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 (5.80 secs). This BMW 8 Series 850 CSi 5.6 V12 E31 is also faster than the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic Wagon (5.90 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic (5.90 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.90 secs) the and the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 (5.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 8 Series and the 2007 BMW 1 Series 135i 2d Coupe M-Sport

When talking about the performance of the BMW 8 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.1 secs @ 97.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2007 BMW 1 Series 135i 2d Coupe M-Sport (14.05 secs), the 1968 Jensen Interceptor FF 6.3L V8 (14.05 secs), and the 1969 Bristol 411 6.3 V8 (14.05 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1992 version of the BMW 8 Series 850 CSi 5.6 V12 E31 has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 1992 8 Series equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1992 BMW 8 Series 850 CSi 5.6 V12 E31 then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

1992 8 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison