BMW Says 'V8s Are Here To Stay' at least in the U.S

The latest BMW M5 gets a V8 with hybrid tech that makes 717 hp. So that gives you the best of both worlds.

BMW has said that it will not be ditching its V8 engines anytime soon. BMW development boss Frank Weber told Automotive News that the V8s will live on, a big reason being that the U.S. and Middle East markets, in particular, want them.

“V8s are here to stay,” Weber told AN. He’s been at BMW since 2011 and has held several leadership roles. His official title is now Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG Development. “There are markets such as the U.S. and Middle East where you cannot replace V8s with inline-six hybrids. This is not about performance. They are comparable in terms of acceleration, but customers like the smoothness, sound, and feeling of a V8. We will continue to offer V8s.”

That said BMW is not behind in the hybrid and electric race.

The latest BMW M5 gets a V8 with hybrid tech that makes 717 hp. So that gives you the best of both worlds.

In terms of electric, BMW's new Neue Klasse platform will underpin an entire range of new EVs. The first models are set to launch in the next couple of years. Neue Klasse is just one of three different chassis BMW will use moving forward. V8s will be built on another chassis, while front wheel drive models will use the third one.

Source: thedrive.com