BMW unveils its Series 8 concept car

May 26 (UPI) -- BMW Group unveiled its Series 8 concept car Friday at the Concorso d'Eleganza in Ville D'Este, Italy.

The eagerly awaited first view of the car took place at the annual event normally reserved for a show of vintage and racing cars. While not for sale in the form on view at the show, the concept car previews many of the features to be found on the Series 8 Coupe, scheduled to begin production in 2018.

The car on display, with 21-inch wheels and BMW's signature Barcelona Grey Liquid color, is "a stunner, with slim laser headlights" and a "long hood line, flowing roofline and large rear fender flares," the technology website CNET said.

"The design of the BMW Concept 8 Series provides a fresh interpretation of iconic BMW styling cues," BMW Senior Vice President Adrian Van Hooydonk, remarked. "A handful of crisp lines mark out clear surfaces, and the car's volumes are powerfully sculpted. Together, these elements make a forceful statement and create a model brimming with character. In short, this is a driver's car."

The four-seat car's luxury features include a shifter knob of Swarovski crystal.

The car, when it arrives in 2018, will replace the upmarket BMW Series 6.