AUTONEWS

In the world of electrification, BMW is betting on the V8 engine

BMW is not ready to abandon V8 engines, and even took the opportunity to take a swipe at its German rival, Mercedes-Benz.

While Mercedes has replaced the V8 with a four-cylinder hybrid in the C63 AMG, BMW is sticking with the eight-cylinder, especially since markets like the United States and the Middle East continue to demand this configuration.

Frank Weber, BMW's head of development, confirmed in an interview with the Automotive News website that V8s will remain in the brand's lineup indefinitely.

"V8s are here to stay," he said. According to him, the decision is not just about performance, since six-cylinder hybrids can deliver similar acceleration.

The difference lies in the driving experience: "Customers like the smoothness, sound and feel of a V8. We will continue to offer them." This means that, despite investing heavily in electrification, BMW is not willing to give up what keeps its customers coming back to dealerships. In the United States, for example, there is still a high demand for larger and more powerful engines, even though there are smaller and more efficient alternatives. 

The Dodge Challenger, equipped with the veteran Hemi engine, continues to sell well, even when smaller-displacement sports cars deliver superior performance for a similar price. But this does not mean that BMW is resisting the future. On the contrary: the brand is betting on both fronts. Its latest sports car, the new M5, combines a hybrid V8 that generates an impressive 717 horsepower. 

The downside? Its high weight, since the hybrid package makes the sedan come close to the weight of an aircraft carrier. But for those who want a V8 with a touch of modernity, it is still there. In addition to the M5, other models will continue to carry the V8 banner at BMW, including high-performance SUVs and the luxurious 7 Series. There is even the possibility that a successor to the 8 Series line will appear in the future, ensuring that eight-cylinder engines will remain alive in the brand for a long time. In the meantime, BMW continues to advance in electrification. 

The long-awaited Neue Klasse platform will be the basis for a new generation of EVs, with the first models hitting the streets within two years. However, this will be just one of three types of architecture that the automaker will use. Another platform will continue to be dedicated to V8s and rear-wheel drive combustion models, while a third will house front-wheel drive vehicles. 

BMW's strategy is clear: to offer maximum choice to customers. As Weber sums it up, "what attracts people to BMW dealerships is the ability to choose different types of powertrains in the model they want." While other brands try to abandon the past, BMW believes there is still room for tradition and innovation to walk side by side.

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