BMW premieres rare M850i edition M heritage in monterey

BMW debuts Heritage-Inspired M850i edition M heritage

As Monterey Car Week 2025 kicks off, BMW reveals the 2026 M850i Edition M Heritage, a limited-edition Gran Coupe built to honor the first-generation 8 Series. Just five hundred examples of the car will be made, each carrying design cues from the original E31 that debuted in 1989. This time, the edition is realized with the power and precision of the current M850i xDrive platform.

It’s an exciting moment for the brand, at this year marks the 50th anniversary of BMW of North America, which was established in March 1975, and the Edition M Heritage symbolizes a celebration along with a nod to long-time fans. Production begins in November, with deliveries expected in early 2026.

BMW unveils the limited-edition Gran Coupe during Monterey Car Week | image © BMW Group

Color and Form with an Historical Thread

Five paint finishes, all pulled from the E31 palette, emphasize the BMW 2026 M850i Edition M Heritage’s connection to the past: Bright Red, Mauritius Blue metallic, Cosmos Black metallic, Oxford Green metallic, and the rare Daytona Violet metallic. Each is applied as BMW Individual colors, and lends a deep, lacquered finish.

The coupe’s proportions remain unchanged, but details shift the visual character. A carbon fiber roof is highlighted with the familiar M tri-color stripes, and 20-inch Orbit Grey dual-spoke wheels are spotted with M Sport brake calipers. Shadowline lighting and trim sharpen the car’s profile to create a clean perimeter.

designboom attended the premiere ahead of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance | image © designboom

interior atmosphere and materials

Inside, the 2026 M850i Edition M Heritage leans into BMW’s motorsport identity with M Sport seats trimmed in black Full Merino Leather and Alcantara, a vegan suede alternative. The diamond-quilted upholstery, tri-color stitching, and subtle M badges in the headrests create an interior atmosphere that feels custom-crafted.

Alcantara wraps the headliner, dash, and upper door panels. This lends a subdued texture to the interiors. A matte-finish carbon fiber console sits between the glass shift lever and iDrive controller, where Edition M Heritage scripts on the doorsills and cupholder cover are a reminder of the car’s rarity.

the 2026 BMW M850i Edition M Heritage premieres at Monterey Car Week | image © BMW Group

This model is offered in just one specification — fully equipped with a Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System and BMW’s Driving Assistance Professional Package. The only choice buyers make is the paint color.

Power remains a defining trait. The 4.4-liter TwinPower Turbo V8 delivers 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels through an 8-speed Steptronic transmission. Acceleration from 0–60 mph takes 3.9 seconds, with top speed capped at 155 mph.

While it’s a rare edition and a symbolic celebration of BMW of North America’s fifty year-long heritage, the team at BMW reminds us that this car is meant to be driven, not just displayed. As Tom Plucinsky, Head of BMW Group Classic USA reminds us: ‘BMW’s cars make you feel like there is a great future ahead, but you can still live the past.’

five heritage paint colors link the edition to the original E31 8 Series | image © BMW Group