What we know!

According to BMW CEO Frank Van Meel, of the automaker’s performance arm, “very interesting tweaks” have been made to ensure that the trademark straight-six and V8 engines last through these latest constraints linked to Euro 7 emissions laws and will do so for a long while! That is especially important as these mandates persist – specifically that new engines stay compliant for a decade or 124,000 miles. While he was not entirely specific what these actual changes will turn out to be, he did explain the hurdles BMW and others have been facing, notably in the area of cooling.

“Normally, if you are in high-performance situations, you cool using the fuel,” Van Meel explained. “With EU7, that’s impossible, so you need to find different ways of avoiding temperature buildup.”

“The combustion process has to be improved in regards to heat build-up and also the cooling, and those are the challenges. Of course you can (reduce) performance to avoid this temperature increase, but you don’t want to – that’s where we started.”

Without a doubt, these engines are central to BMW’s high-performance internal-combustion offerings, so much so that the six-cylinder inline engine is dubbed by Van Meel the automaker’s “legacy.” Add to that the V8’s long history in racing, and all the more reason to keep them going strong.

We are pretty certain BMW will not be lopping off cylinders to meet regulations, so that is reassuring. “I couldn’t imagine putting a four-cylinder in an M5,” Van Meel noted.

Also, electrification has helped with this realization, aiding the automaker in covering some of the difference. That has already been made clear in the new 5,500-pound M5, but it’s also reassuring to know that as BMW unveils its first battery-powered M car with the “Heart of Joy” ECU, traditional performance remains!

In addition to Van Meel’s comments, which instill confidence that V8 powertrains will remain a key part of the automaker’s portfolio, others have also chimed in. Frank Weber, head of R&D for BMW, shared in an interview with “Automotive News” that V8 engines will continue to be offered in select markets where demand is strong.

“V-8s are here to stay,” he said. “There are markets such as the U.S. and Middle East where you cannot replace V-8s with inline-six hybrids. This is not about performance – 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.”

But it is important to note that this availability will be “market specific,” and vary by region. For example in Europe, particularly Germany, large-displacement engines face increasing regulatory pressure and declining demand, which makes them less viable. Based on efficiency-driven policies and shifting consumer preferences, a stronger focus on plug-in hybrids in the European market has been realized. By comparison, the U.S. continues to favor high-performance combustion engines based on the market and driver needs.

Moving forward, the news continues to be exciting. BMW’s latest 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8, dubbed the S68 and which makes 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, will debut in new models beginning next year along with the G65 BMW X5. Also, the U.S. market is expected to receive the X5 M60, followed by the next-gen G66 X6 and G67 X7 within the next two years. Perhaps even more exciting, rumors are swirling that the ALPINA B8, powered by a V8, is also being developed. This further solidifies the automaker’s commitment to maintaining these high-performance vehicles in select markets, including the U.S. and Middle East.

While we await more information on these “interesting tweaks,” it remains more than promising that emission crackdowns will not stop the power of the M cars. Their appeal is widespread, and there is clear reason why! These engines will continue to be offered worldwide so cool it now! V8s are here to stay!