BMW’s V8 engines are enjoying a surprising renaissance even as the automaker rapidly expands its electric vehicle lineup. In 2024, BMW recorded its best sales figures ever for V8-powered models. The milestone came as luxury customers across the globe continue to crave the unmistakable blend of smoothness, power, and emotion that only a V8 can deliver.
BMW’s research and development chief Joachim Post explained this balanced approach candidly. “We want to offer customers the best choices,” he said, “so they can decide between electric, hybrid, or combustion powertrains without compromises. Last year we saw record sales for premium electric vehicles, alongside historic highs for V8-powered models.”
Central to this success is BMW’s latest 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8, the S68 engine, which debuted in 2022. Powering flagship models such as the XM, the new M5, and several X-series SUVs, the S68 combines electrified components with traditional muscle to comply with emissions without sacrificing performance.
The V8 remains a core part of BMW’s identity and sales strategy, especially in markets like the United States, where large displacement engines continue to be popular. BMW plans to keep offering V8 variants in upcoming models, including next-generation X5, X6, and 7 Series vehicles.
While electrification forms the backbone of BMW’s future with the Neue Klasse platform, the flexible CLAR platform will continue to support the refined, muscular V8 engines for the foreseeable future. For enthusiasts who value sound, torque, and legacy, the V8 is alive and well at BMW.
