8 Series (E31)

The 8 Series was BMW's statement of engineering ambition for the 1990s. Development reportedly cost over $1 billion — an unprecedented sum that reflected the car's technological scope. The 850i launched with a 5.0-liter V12, later joined by the 850CSi with its motorsport-derived S70 engine. The pillarless coupe design, pop-up headlights, and sleek proportions made it one of the most distinctive GTs of the decade. Despite critical acclaim, the 8 Series never matched its sales targets — arriving just as the early-90s recession dampened appetite for six-figure grand tourers. Today it's recognized as a misunderstood masterpiece.