BMW 8 Series concept pictures

BMW Concept 8 Series is understood to be close to the production 8 Series

The new 8 Series, due in 2018, will rival the Mercedes S-Class Coupe

It heralds a new set of design cues for BMW

The wide rear lights emphasise the car's width

The concept features 21in alloy wheels. The production car could follow suit.

The concept will be shown at the exclusive Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este show in Italy

The luxury GT will sit above the 6 Series, a model which will be reinterpreted as a Porsche 911 rival

High performance engines are expected across the range - including a hot M8 version