BMW has ruled out the possibility of a V12-powered 8-Series model during at interview with Go Auto at the Paris Auto Show.
According to BMW Group vice president of product management (luxury class) Carsten Groeber, the firm’s 6.0-liter V12 engine, currently used in the M760Li xDrive, would upset the balance of the 8-Series.
“Everything is possible, but we think the newly developed eight-cylinder with 590 horsepower is the perfect package.
“V12 is very heavy and we have a very perfect weight distribution with this car. So the package with the V8 with those technologies with the chassis and the drivetrain makes the car a proper sportscar. In our opinion a V12 will be too heavy in the front,” he said.
BMW’s V8 is clearly more than adequate.
The BMW 8-Series will initially be offered with a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 delivering 522 hp in M850i guise and with a 315 hp 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder diesel in 840d form.
Down the road, BMW will also introduce M8 Coupe, Gran Coupe, and Convertible models, all powered by a beefed-up version of the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8.
While a V12 model could act as a direct rival to the Mercedes-AMG S65 Coupe, BMW clearly sees no need for such a vehicle.
Groeber went on to reveal that all M8 models will utilize an advanced xDrive all-wheel drive system like the M5. Fortunately, customers will be given the option of a rear-wheel drive model in the form of an sDrive derivative of the 840d.
The executive went on to add that the 8-Series isn’t actually a replacement to the 6-Series Coupe and Grand Coupe as it is 7-Series-based rather than 5-Series-based. When asked if that leaves the door open for a 6-Series Coupe replacement, Groeber hinted that “something could be in the works”. However, that would be a stretch given that the 6-Series nameplate has been used on the more practical, five-door Gran Turismo model.