BMW is bringing back the 8-Series is a name that will soon be launched flagship coupe, and now the four-door Gran Coupe version is in testing to the limits at the Nürburgring.

Preview from the M8 Gran Coupe concept back at the Geneva motor show in March, the Porsche Panamera rival is not due to arrive until 2019 – a few months after the two-door variant.

That car will be offered in £76,270 840d diesel and £100,045 M850i petrol form, and the Gran Coupe is expected to follow the example. A new video shows a V8 M850i prototype being tested by BMW engineers at the Nürburgring Nordschleife:

The production of the M8, meanwhile, is pointing to the top 600bhp from a more highly-tuned version of the same engine and will be available in all three of the 8-Series bodystyles.

The Gran Coupe is due to enter into production in 2019. Appears largely similar to the two-door brethren, but with a raised rear roof to provide more head room in the rear seats.