Summary
BMW will continue producing V8 and V12 engines even as it expands its electric vehicle lineup, according to a company spokesperson cited by The Drive. The automaker clarified that ending V8 output at its Steyr, Austria plant in 2025 is a production shift, not a phaseout, with V8 manufacturing moving to a facility in the United Kingdom. The message underscores BMW’s dual-track strategy: maintaining combustion-powered halo models while growing its EV portfolio.
Key points
- “High-performance engines remain a central part of our strategy,” a BMW spokesperson said, per The Drive.
- V8 production will relocate from Steyr to a U.K. plant that has handled both small-displacement and large engines since 2022.
- The clarification aims to reassure customers and dealers that flagship internal-combustion models will continue alongside new EVs.
- The production move reflects flexible manufacturing as BMW balances combustion, hybrid, and electric components.
Why it matters
- Signals BMW’s commitment to serve performance and luxury buyers who value traditional engine character.
- Preserves flexibility across regions with differing emissions rules, infrastructure readiness, and consumer demand.
- Reinforces brand identity by keeping high-output engines as a pillar while EV offerings expand.
Market and policy context
The Drive situates the clarification amid accelerating industry electrification and regulatory shifts. It reports strong interest in BMW’s iX3 electric crossover, including orders from first-time BMW buyers, and notes policy developments affecting EV infrastructure and industry investment. Against this backdrop, BMW’s stance reduces uncertainty around the future of its high-performance combustion models.
Outlook
BMW did not specify how long V8 and V12 engines will remain in production or how their roles may evolve. Many automakers are pairing large engines with electrification to meet performance and emissions targets, and BMW’s emphasis on “high-performance engines” suggests continued demand for top-tier combustion powertrains even as EV capacity ramps up.
