BMW Won't Drop Its V12 Until at Least 2023
With environmentalism gradually neutering the internal combustion engine, small motors are increasingly cropping up in cars they seemingly have no business in. While that’s partly the fault of there being so many gigantic automobiles on the market, at least historically speaking, none of it would be possible without increasingly stringent fuel economy mandates.
As emission rules are unlikely to soften globally (we’ll see what the United States does), larger engines are assumed to go the way of the dodo bird — or some other overly specialized creature.
That’s led automakers to reassure, or perhaps warn, us that we can still expect a few more years of excessive displacement. But many have already drawn their last breath. The already uncommon V12 has been relegated to a bundle of supercars, top-tier luxury behemoths, and a handful of German automakers that are in the process of eliminating it. Mercedes-AMG plans to axe its V12 soon, leaving BMW as the country’s only high-volume holdout.
According to Top Gear, BMW intends to keep the 12-cylinder around for a few more years. “We will keep [the V12] for the rest of this generation at least, until 2023,” BMW powertrain Development head Michael Bayer explained, while discussing the 7 Series.
He also suggested it might be possible, with a little luck, to make the 6.0-liter V12 comply with the next round of efficiency regulations, extending the engine’s life a bit further. That could work in its favor, even if its output is eclipsed by something smaller and more powerful, as BMW would be the only place to shop for it. (We can’t say how many luxury shoppers select vehicles solely on their cylinder count.)
[Image: BMW]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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What a good news it is. I am so relieved to learn that I still can buy vehicle with V12 engine, it made my day! The last gasp of dying ICE.
Well, they'll keep the motor available on the 7 as long as they continue building it for the entire Rolls lineup. After that, they could wait till VW stops building the old six-and-three-quarter, then bring that name back to RR on a next-gen V8, even with a smaller displacement, since BMW no longer matches badges to actual displacement anyhow.
I patiently await the BMW X7 xDrive 70i
"Are you done lapping those valves yet?" "Finishing up number 48 now."