BMW is reportedly working on a new V8 engine, which
is surprising to say the least, given the industry’s push towards
electrification. But apparently the Bavarian company’s plan for an electrifying
future includes eight-cylinder engines.
According to BMWBlog, the German car maker will
introduce this new engine in 2-3 years time; it will not be an all-new engine
but more like a very in-depth upgrade of the current S63 unit used in various M
models, including the M5. Internally codenamed “S68”, the new V8 unit might offer a smaller
displacement from the current 4.4 liters, which sounds plausible given that
markets like China punish with heavier taxes anything above 4.0 liters.
It will keep though things like the twin-turbo
setup, with the turbos nestled within the ‘V’ of the engine. We have already
heard that BMW is planning to combine straight-six engines with electric motors
but the same is expected to be applied in the new S68 V8 unit in order to pass
future emission standards. Whether it’ll be a mild-hybrid setup or a
fully-blown plug-in hybrid remains to be seen.
The same report quotes sources saying that this new
BMW M V8 engine could debut for the first time under the bonnet of the M5 CS
model, an even faster, more aggressive version of the super sedan that will
slot above the current M5 Competition.
The rumored BMW M5 CS is said to feature more
weight-saving measures and even more firepower than the 617 HP currently offered from the M5 Competition. With the facelifted version of the
M5 expected to debut next year, we won’t have to wait long before more info
comes out.
