BMW Keeps Straight-sixes, V8s And Even The V12 Alive For Now

BMW is easing off the idea of an all-EV sprint and opting for a broader line through the corner. Comments attributed to BMW’s product and engineering leadership suggest the brand will keep internal combustion models running alongside its electric push, rather than forcing every buyer into a battery-only future.

That matters because BMW’s engine lineup is a big part of its identity. The plan is understood to preserve familiar hardware across the range: turbocharged four-cylinders for volume models, the classic straight-six for performance and refinement, plus V8 power where it still fits the brief. Most eyebrow-raising of all, the V12 is also said to remain in the picture, keeping a halo option alive for select markets and niche applications.

Neue Klasse is still the backbone of BMW’s next wave, but it now looks more like a flexible toolkit than a single-track mandate. The upcoming 4 Series is expected to follow that philosophy with multiple propulsion routes, with an electric i4 leading the charge and combustion or hybrid derivatives likely to follow as the range expands.

For BMW, this is less about nostalgia and more about keeping the driving experience consistent, whatever’s under the bonnet. The company’s message is that performance, balance and response should be present whether power comes from petrol, a hybrid system, or an electric motor—so the badge still means the same thing when you turn in, get back on the throttle, and let the chassis do its work.