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]
so, what they going to put into “president” trim of 7-series?
BMW – for all its faults, is still a company run by people with gasoline in their veins. Plus, they actually make money on the V-12 models, which can’t be said of the i3 or i8.
“With environmentalism gradually neutering the internal combustion engine”
Err what?? Don’t Ford Chevy and Dodge all sell production V8s with like 700hp?
It’s a sad day when 6.0L is considered “excessive displacement”
6.0L is far from excessive I would consider it a mid displacement engine size. Yea I might buy a couple small ~4L vehicles but at the end of the day everyone’s going to have trouble selling me a ~6L engine by merit of its displacement when it’s that small.
Pretending that a 6L V12 is some massive engine just show some people have a loose sense of reality.
It’s actually a 6.6L 402CI V12. I wouldn’t call it “excessive” but I don’t think I’d call it “mid-level” either.
That’s better for sure, 6.6 is on the climb up. I’d truly consider 6.0 the exact tipping point for small and large engines.
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.”