In an era where the automotive world is shrinking engines like a bad laundry day, BMW has decided to hold its ground. While other manufacturers are ditching their big, burly V8 in favour of smaller, hybridised setups, BMW is keeping the eight-cylinder dream alive—for now, at least.
And why wouldn’t they? According to BMW’s Board Member for Development, Frank Weber, there’s still a massive demand for that unmistakable V8 rumble. “V8s are here to stay. We will continue to offer V8s,” he told Automotive News. That’s music to the ears of American and Middle Eastern buyers, two of BMW’s biggest markets, where the V8 isn’t just an engine—it’s a way of life.
Why the V8 Still Reigns Supreme
Let’s be real—BMW’s straight-six engines are fantastic. But as Weber points out, even an electrified inline-six can’t fully replace the feel of a proper V8. It’s not just about performance figures; it’s about the smoothness, the deep growl, and that sheer presence a big engine brings.
Take a look at what happened with Mercedes-AMG. They controversially axed the V8 in the latest C63, swapping it for a high-tech four-cylinder hybrid setup. On paper, it’s a beast—680 hp and a monstrous 1,020 Nm of torque. But guess what? Buyers weren’t having it. Sales tanked in Germany, and now Mercedes is reportedly scrambling to bring the V8 back for the upcoming CLE63. Ouch.
BMW, on the other hand, isn’t making that mistake. Their M division has been clear: no three- or four-cylinder engines with electric motors are coming.
As BMW M CEO Frank van Meel put it, “Going to smaller combustion engines in combination with bigger batteries would not be the right way. For us, then the step will be to go purely electric right away.” So, no downsized hybrid shenanigans—just pure V8 power for as long as emissions regulations allow it.
Why Can BMW Get Away With It?
Simple—regulations. The US and Middle East have far more relaxed emissions laws compared to Europe, where automakers are being forced to downsize or go fully electric. That’s why BMW can still offer V8-powered monsters like the X7 and M5 in these markets while Europe gets stuck with smaller turbocharged mills.
Even better, BMW has a massive production facility in the US, meaning they can build these V8 machines without worrying about stricter EU emissions rules. That’s why models like the BMW 760i are only sold Stateside, and why future models—like the next-gen X5—are likely to retain their V8s in select markets.
The End of Downsizing? Not Quite.
Now, don’t get too excited. While BMW has no immediate plans to shrink its engine lineup any further, they’re not exactly adding more V8s to the range either. The current crop of eight-cylinder models will likely stick around, but don’t expect an expansion. And let’s not forget that BMW already killed off its glorious V10s and V12s.
The future? Pure electric. BMW M is working on EV performance tech, but as van Meel admitted, battery limitations mean that track-ready electric M cars aren’t quite there yet.
“If you go over 250 km/h, you won’t get much further anyway,” he pointed out. That means for now, the V8 still has a place—but eventually, it’ll have to make way for something else.
A Bittersweet Victory
For petrolheads, BMW’s V8 commitment is worth celebrating. Few brands do eight-cylinder engines as well as BMW, and knowing they’ll be around for a while longer is a win. But let’s not ignore the elephant in the room—big engines mean bigger emissions, and the world is shifting towards cleaner alternatives.
So, while we revel in the survival of the V8, let’s also accept that its days are numbered. But hey, if this is the last chapter of BMW’s V8 story, at least they’re making it a damn good one.
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