Despite increasingly stringent global emissions regulations, BMW remains committed to its iconic V8 engines, bucking the trend of rivals like Mercedes-Benz who are transitioning to smaller, hybrid powertrains.
"V8s are Here to Stay"
BMW's head of development, Frank Weber, made a firm statement asserting that the brand will not follow Mercedes-Benz in abandoning V8 engines for higher-performance engines with fewer cylinders. "V8s are here to stay," Weber declared. "There are markets such as the US and Middle East where you cannot replace V8s with inline-six hybrids."
Emotional Appeal Trumps Pure Performance
Weber emphasized that the decision isn't solely about performance figures. While comparable in terms of acceleration, he stated that customers value the "smoothness, sound, and feeling of a V8." This suggests that BMW is prioritizing the emotional connection drivers have with these engines.
Australia to Benefit from V8 Commitment
BMW's current Australian lineup includes several V8-powered models, such as the M5, M8, XM, X5, X6, and X7. Given Australia's demand for high-performance vehicles and relatively less stringent emissions standards compared to Europe, it's highly likely that these models will continue to be available with V8 engines well into the future.
Mild-Hybrid Tech Keeps V8s Compliant
BMW's latest V8, the S68, is a 4.4-litre twin-turbo engine incorporating mild-hybrid assistance to meet Euro 6d emissions standards. In the M5 and XM, it's also part of a plug-in hybrid system, further boosting performance while minimizing emissions.
Mercedes-AMG Faces Customer Backlash
Weber's comments highlight the challenges faced by Mercedes-AMG, which replaced the V8 in the C63 with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol-based plug-in hybrid powertrain in 2021.
Despite the electrified C63 S E Performance producing more power and torque than its V8 predecessor, the change resulted in a significant weight increase and criticism from long-standing customers.
Mercedes-AMG boss Michael Schiebe acknowledged that the switch had led to an exodus of some loyal customers. Competitors like the BMW M3 and Audi RS4 continue to offer six-cylinder engines, while the BMW M5 and Audi RS6 have retained their V8s (albeit with hybrid assistance in the new M5).
The Weight of Electrification
Even BMW hasn't been immune to criticism related to the weight gain associated with electrification. The new M5 plug-in hybrid weighs in at a hefty 2435kg, a substantial 540kg increase compared to the previous-generation M5 Competition.
