BMW Might Build a Maybach-Rivaling 9 Series

BMW's design boss isn't ruling out a 9 Series four-door coupe.
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As BMW wades upmarket with the introduction of the 8 Series coupe, it isn’t ruling out the possibility of aiming even higher with a Maybach-rivaling 9 Series, according to a report by Autocar

When the British publication asked point-blank whether the company is planning a four-door coupe 9er, BMW Design Director Adrian Hooydonk replied, “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.”

The Bimmer designer rather cryptically goes on to say that the 8 Series was the beginning of a “new chapter” and that “the coupe will always kickstart the next level in design. The same is true for this car.”

A future 9 Series could directly compete with the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class and slot underneath the 7 Series-based Rolls-Royce Ghost in BMW’s corporate food chain. Autocar says that, just like the Ghost, a potential 9 Series would share bones with the 7 Series sedan and probably be a hit in China, a market where rear seat legroom is king.

Back in March, BMW introduced the M8 Gran Coupe concept, a car that previews a potential four-door version of the new 8er and something we wouldn’t be surprised to find BMW basing a 9 Series on. 

We’ve reached out to the German automaker for further comment and will update this story if we hear back.

UPDATE: In response, a BMW spokesperson told The Drive, “We would not have any comments on what may be coming in the next 10+ years.”

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Chris Tsui

Reviews Editor

Chris Tsui is The Drive’s Reviews Editor. He oversees the site’s car reviews operation in addition to pitching in on industry news and writing his own evaluations of the latest rides. He lives in Toronto.