BMW’s subsequent chapter could also be electrical, however it’s not solely electrical. Because the Neue Klasse household of vehicles prepares to redefine the model’s EV lineup, the Bavarians are holding a large powertrain portfolio alive — from gasoline and hybrid to hydrogen. And the numbers present it’s working. In a latest dialogue with Motor1, BMW’s Head of Improvement Dr. Joachim Put up revealed a stunning determine: 2024 was the very best 12 months ever for BMW’s V8 gross sales. It’s a hanging milestone in an period when most luxurious automakers are eliminating eight-cylinder engines solely.
“We wish to give the shopper the very best automotive, they usually can resolve what sort of powertrain they need. Not get a brand new automotive provided that they select an EV, an outdated automotive if they need a combustion engine. The world is totally different; final 12 months, we had probably the most gross sales of [premium] EVs, and on the similar time, file excessive gross sales for eight-cylinder engines.”
This steadiness between electrification and custom isn’t unintentional. BMW has fastidiously designed its lineup round three key architectures. The Neue Klasse is a devoted EV platform that may debut with the iX3 subsequent 12 months and later the i3 Sedan, signaling a brand new digital and electrical era. Alongside it, the CLAR platform stays BMW’s versatile spine, able to supporting internal-combustion, plug-in hybrid, full-electric, and even hydrogen powertrains. Smaller fashions proceed to journey on FAAR, which underpins each electrical and ICE variants just like the X1, X2, and MINI Countryman.
The V8 Stays Core to BMW’s Identification
Inside this combine, the V8 nonetheless has a particular place. It’s a defining a part of BMW’s character — refined, muscular, and able to delivering the sort of easy torque that no inline-six or four-cylinder can replicate. In the previous couple of years, the V8-powered BMW household got here with both both the N63 or the newer S68, each 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged engines. However at this time, the M-tuned S68 powers the complete lineup. It made its debut in 2022 with hybrid functionality and an electrified 48-volt system that permits it to fulfill stricter world emissions requirements with out sacrificing efficiency.
You’ll discover the S68 within the XM, the brand new M5 (G90), and throughout the M8, X5 M, and X6 M Competitors fashions. It’s additionally powering flagship Vary Rover and Vary Rover Sport variants — a uncommon occasion the place BMW’s personal efficiency know-how is utilized by one other luxurious model.
The V8’s Future Appears Safe
Regardless of the trade’s electrical shift, BMW isn’t executed with its eight-cylinders. The following-generation X5, X6, and X7 — already in growth — will proceed to supply V8 choices in a number of markets, alongside plug-in hybrid and six-cylinder variants. The X5 M and X6 M will each retain the S68, and even the 7 Sequence is predicted to maintain a V8 providing in choose configurations. Future ALPINA fashions, now totally built-in underneath BMW’s umbrella, are additionally prone to proceed that includes eight-cylinder engines, combining energy with the model’s signature refinement.
For BMW, the continuation of the V8 isn’t about nostalgia. It’s a sensible choice based mostly on buyer demand and world market range. As some areas speed up towards electrification, others (just like the U.S. market) nonetheless favor conventional powertrains—notably in massive luxurious autos and efficiency fashions.
Put up’s remarks underline BMW’s versatile method. The corporate will preserve growing electrical autos on the Neue Klasse platform whereas sustaining combustion engines throughout the CLAR lineup for so long as rules and consumers enable. For now, the V8 stays a part of that technique—and it’s nonetheless discovering loads of takers.
[Source: Motor1]
