BMW’s subsequent chapter could also be electrical, nevertheless it’s not completely electrical. Because the Neue Klasse household of vehicles prepares to redefine the model’s EV lineup, the Bavarians are maintaining a large powertrain portfolio alive — from gasoline and hybrid to hydrogen. And the numbers present it’s working. In a current dialogue with Motor1, BMW’s Head of Growth Dr. Joachim Publish revealed a shocking determine: 2024 was one of the best 12 months ever for BMW’s V8 gross sales. It’s a placing milestone in an period when most luxurious automakers are eliminating eight-cylinder engines fully.
“We wish to give the client one of the best automobile, they usually can resolve what sort of powertrain they need. Not get a brand new automobile provided that they select an EV, an previous automobile 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 identical time, file excessive gross sales for eight-cylinder engines.”
This steadiness between electrification and custom isn’t unintentional. 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 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 form 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 S68, each 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged engines. However in the present day, the M-tuned S68 powers the whole 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 expertise is utilized by one other luxurious model.
The V8’s Future Appears to be like Safe
Regardless of the trade’s electrical shift, BMW isn’t performed with its eight-cylinders. The following-generation X5, X6, 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 anticipated to maintain a V8 providing in choose configurations. Future ALPINA fashions, now absolutely built-in below BMW’s umbrella, are additionally more likely 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 determination based mostly on buyer demand and world market variety. As some areas speed up towards electrification, others (just like the U.S. market) nonetheless favor conventional powertrains—notably in giant luxurious autos and efficiency fashions.
Publish’s remarks underline BMW’s versatile strategy. The corporate will maintain creating electrical autos on the Neue Klasse platform whereas sustaining combustion engines inside the CLAR lineup for so long as laws and consumers permit. For now, the V8 stays a part of that technique—and it’s nonetheless discovering loads of takers.
[Source: Motor1]
