BMW’s next chapter may be electric, but it’s not entirely electric. As the Neue Klasse car family prepares to redefine the brand’s electric range, the Bavarians are keeping a broad powertrain portfolio alive – from petrol and hybrid to hydrogen. And the numbers show that it works. In a current discussion with Engine1said BMW development boss Dr. Joachim Post revealed a surprising number: 2024 was the best year ever for BMW’s V8 sales. It’s a striking milestone at a time when most luxury automakers are abandoning eight-cylinder engines entirely.
“We want to give the customer the best car and they can decide what kind of powertrain they want. We don’t just get a new car if they choose an electric vehicle and an old car if they want an internal combustion engine. The world is different; last year we had the most sales.” [premium] Electric vehicles and at the same time record high sales figures for eight-cylinder engines.”
This balance between electrification and tradition is no coincidence. BMW has carefully designed its product range around three key architectures. The New Class is a dedicated EV platform that will debut next year with the iX3 and later the i3 sedan, ushering in a new digital and electric generation. In addition, the CLAR platform remains BMW’s flexible backbone and is capable of supporting combustion, plug-in hybrid, fully electric and even hydrogen powertrains. Smaller models continue to run on FAAR, which underlies both electric and combustion engine variants such as the X1, X2 and MINI Countryman.
The V8 remains core to BMW’s identity
Within this mix, the V8 still holds a special place. It’s a crucial part of BMW’s character – refined, muscular and capable of delivering effortless torque that no inline-six or four-cylinder can replicate. In recent years, the V8-powered BMW family has come with either the N63 or the newer S68, both twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter engines. But today the M-tuned S68 powers the entire model range. It debuted in 2022 with hybrid capability and a 48-volt electrified system, allowing it to meet stricter global emissions standards without sacrificing performance.
You’ll find the S68 in the XM, the new M5 (G90), as well as the M8,
The future of the V8 seems secure
Despite the industry’s switch to electric power, BMW is not yet finished with its eight-cylinder engines. The next generations of X5, X5 M and future ALPINA models, now fully integrated under the BMW umbrella, are expected to continue to feature eight-cylinder engines that combine performance with the brand’s typical refinement.
For BMW, continuing the V8 isn’t about nostalgia. It is a practical decision based on customer demand and global market diversity. While some regions are moving forward with electrification, others (like the US market) still favor traditional powertrains – particularly in large luxury vehicles and high-performance models.
Post’s comments underline BMW’s flexible approach. The company will continue to develop electric vehicles on the Neue Klasse platform while maintaining internal combustion engines in the CLAR range as long as regulations and buyers allow. The V8 remains part of this strategy for the time being – and it still finds many buyers.
[Source: Motor1]
