What we know!
“V-8s are here to stay!” That was the resounding sentiment of BMW’s head of R&D Frank Weber, noting that there are markets in the U.S. and Middle East, for example, where you cannot replace V-8’s with inline-six hybrids.
“This is not just about performance,” he continued. “While they may be comparable in terms of acceleration, customers value the smoothness, sound and overall driving experience of a V-8. We will continue to offer them.”
What this means moving forward, though, is that V8 availability will be market-specific, meaning it will vary by region. For example in Germany, where large-displacement engines face increasing regulatory pressure and declining demand, they are less viable. Efficiency-driven policies and shifting consumer preferences have resulted in a stronger focus on plug-in hybrids in the European market, while the U.S. continues to favor high-performance combustion engines instead.
On the horizon, BMW will feature the latest 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8, the S68, which will make its debut in new models starting next year with the G65 BMW X5, making 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. The U.S. market will get the X5 M60, followed by the next-gen G66 X6 and G67 X7 within two years. Also in development according to sources is the ALPINA B8, powered by the V8, thus further carrying forth BMW’s commitment to maintaining its high-performance offerings in select markets.
While we know the V8 will stay, what remains to be determined is whether or not BMW will pair their V8 with a battery back to offer more efficient and more powerful plug-ins in the future.
This commitment by BMW comes amidst an ever-tightening emissions net globally, with the automaker quite clear they are not interested in replacing their V8s with more potent six-cylinder hybrid powertrains.
Their current lineup of V8-powered models in Australia is vast, and includes the M5, M8, XM, X5, X6 and X7. The M5 and XM are also part of a plug-in hybrid system, thus increasing its performance potential without added emissions.
And while Mr. Weber’s comments outline a commitment by BMW to V8s that is dependent on regional emissions regulations; it is highly likely that Australia will continue to get these engines well into the future. That is because the market’s demand for high-performance vehicles is there and it has less stringent emissions standards than in Europe.
This commitment to V8 also means more salt in the wounds for Mercedes-Benz fans, who are being subjected to a reduced cylinder count. It was back in 2021 that Mercedes-AMG announced the new C63 sports sedan, which was traditionally available with a naturally aspirated 6.2-litre, then a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8, and would instead move to a turbocharged 2.0-litre four–cylinder petrol-based plug-in hybrid powertrain.
This switch, unfortunately, led to an exodus of longstanding C63 customers. Following that, a 2023 report indicated that a new V8-powered C63 would emerge in 2026, but that idea was short-lived. Keep in mind the C63 is not the only AMG model to lose its V8. Others include the next-gen E63, poised to move to a turbocharged six-cylinder petrol engine, also with PHEV tech.`
But for BMW, V8s are undoubtedly here to stay, and it’s not about performance, officials reiterate. These vehicles equipped with V8s are comparable in terms of acceleration, with customers favoring the smoothness, sound and overall feeling it provides. In fact, it should not come as a surprise that American buyers love the vibe of the V8, caring less about the actual performance.
And, while competitors are going electric, so, too, is BMW, including with its new M5, which packs a hybrid V8 with 717 horsepower. The only downside of the hybrid V8 powertrain is weight, with the M5 sharing a curb weight with only Nimitz-class aircraft carriers.
Rest assured, there is no end in sight with the V8s, including within the future performance SUVs, the 7 Series, and perhaps something to replace the 8 Series.
V8s are living on for the foreseeable future, giving buyers a choice of powertrains and the vibe they desire. Becoming entrenched – you bet! Take a test drive, and reserve your model equipped with a V8 today!
