--- title: "BMW Says ‘V8s Are Here To Stay’ at Least in the US" date: "2025-02-10" modified: "2025-02-10" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/bmw-says-v8s-are-here-to-stay-at-least-in-the-us" categories: - "BMW News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "BMW" - "M5" - "sedan" --- # BMW Says ‘V8s Are Here To Stay’ at Least in the US ![BMW M5 surging forward]() *BMW* BMW is laughing at one of its German rivals. While Mercedes is ditching V8s in some of its highest-performance cars, like the C63 AMG, the Bavarians are proudly planting their eight-cylinder flag on North American soil. [BMW]() development boss [Frank Weber]() told[ *Automotive News*]() that not only will V8s live on, but they're sticking around specifically because the U.S. and Middle East markets want them. You're welcome, world. "V8s are here to stay," Weber told *AN*. He's been at BMW since 2011 and 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." It should come as no surprise that U.S. customers care less about the actual performance and more about vibes. We still buy the ancient Hemi-powered Dodge Challenger despite many lower-displacement sports cars providing far better performance for similar money. However, don't take that to mean that BMW is staying behind in the stone age, while its competitors go electric. BMW is doing both. Its most recent performance car, [the new M5](), packs a hybrid V8 with 717 horsepower. So the Bavarians feel they can have their cake *and* eat it. Admittedly, one significant penalty for having a hybrid V8 powertrain is weight. The BMW M5 shares a curb weight with only Nimitz-class aircraft carriers. But, hey, it's still got a V8. ![BMW V8 engine.]() **BMW** The M5 won't be alone, either. BMW still has future performance SUVs to build, the[ 7 Series](), and perhaps even something to replace the dying 8 Series. So there isn't an end in sight for Roundel-wearing V8s. BMW is also heavily invested in electric vehicles, though. The upcoming Neue Klasse platform will underpin an entire portfolio of various EVs, and its first models are set to hit roads in two years. But Neue Klasse is just one of three different chassis BMW will use moving forward. V8s will live in another chassis, and front-wheel drive cars will be built on the remaining one, so the Bavarians will be able to cover all customer bases for the foreseeable future. ![BMW M5 driving, front three-quarter view.]() **BMW** "What pulls people into BMW showrooms is that they have the choice of different powertrain solutions in the model they want," stated Weber *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()