BMW’s V8 Is Having Its Greatest 12 months Ever — Proper because the EV Period Begins.

BMW’s subsequent chapter could also be electrical, but it surely’s not completely electrical. Because the New class household of automobiles prepares to redefine the model’s EV lineup, the Bavarians are retaining a large powertrain portfolio alive — from gasoline and hybrid to hydrogen. And the numbers present it’s working. In a latest dialogue with EngineBMW’s Head of Growth Dr. Joachim Publish revealed a shocking determine: 2024 was the most effective yr ever for BMW’s V8 gross sales. It’s a placing milestone in an period when most luxurious automakers are eliminating eight-cylinder engines completely.

“We wish to give the client the most effective automotive, they usually can determine what sort of powertrain they need. Not get a brand new automotive provided that they select an EV, an previous automotive if they need a combustion engine. The world is totally different; final yr, we had probably the most gross sales of (premium) EVs, and on the similar time, file excessive gross sales for eight-cylinder engines.”

This stability between electrification and custom isn’t unintended. BMW has rigorously designed its lineup round three key architectures. The Neue Klasse is a devoted EV platform that can debut with the iX3 subsequent yr and later the i3 Sedansignaling a brand new digital and electrical technology. 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 trip on SHEEPwhich 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 few years, the V8-powered BMW household got here with both both the N63 or the newer S68each 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged engines. However at this time, the M-tuned S68 powers the whole lineup. It made its debut in 2022 with hybrid functionality and an electrified 48-volt system that enables it to satisfy stricter international 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 expertise is utilized by one other luxurious model.

The V8’s Future Seems to be Safe

Regardless of the trade’s electrical shift, BMW isn’t executed with its eight-cylinders. The following-generation X5X6, and X7 — already in improvement — 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 below 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 resolution based mostly on buyer demand and international market range. As some areas speed up towards electrification, others (just like the U.S. market) nonetheless favor conventional powertrains—significantly in giant luxurious automobiles and efficiency fashions.

Publish’s remarks underline BMW’s versatile method. The corporate will maintain creating electrical automobiles on the Neue Klasse platform whereas sustaining combustion engines inside 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.

(Supply: Engine)