American buyers yearn for V8 power—it’s why even BMW’s confirming its eight-cylinder powerplants are “here to stay”
- Along with a six-cylinder, the Dodge Charger might eventually be back in the market with a V8
- It seems that now eight-piston-hater Carlos Tavares is gone as chief of Stellantis, the go-fast folks are back in action
- And Dodge isn’t the only one; even BMW’s confirmed its “V8s are here to stay”
In that interview, McAlear cited all of the engines the last-gen Charger had been made available with over its lifespan, from a 3.5L V6 to a 6.4L V8, and said this new car is underpinned by “a multi-energy platform that can accommodate all of that.” He added, “We’re just getting started. We’re going to have a lot of fun.”
The money shot, at least from our perspective, is when he told The Drive that more powertrain variations will come, and that, “We haven’t even launched the SRT yet…and who knows where we go if the business case makes sense [for a V8] and there’s potential.”
Of course, an automaker can’t just snap its fingers and an engine appears, and McAlear was cautious to point out that there are always the issues around suppliers, regulations, development time, and especially the buckets of cash such a project requires. But we’re also delighted that it appears the company is being run not just by bean-counters, but also by people who understand the loyalty of driving enthusiasts.
The company’s Neue Klasse vehicle architecture is EV-only, but Weber said it will introduce all-new components “that will be used with different powertrains” across BMW’s entire portfolio in future, including hydrogen.
But here’s the deal: Automotive News mentioned the V12 is gone, and asked if the V8 would be next, replaced with inline-six engines with electrification that could match or surpass V8-style output. Weber’s reply? “V8s are here to stay. There are markets such as the U.S. and Middle East where you cannot replace V8s with inline-six hybrids…We will continue to offer V8s.”
Customers, he said, just like the sound, smoothness, and feel of eight cylinders. Of course there aren’t as many as there used to be, and we don’t ever expect them to come back to that full force — but it’s comforting to know that, at least for now, they’re not entirely going away.
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