BMW’s V12 Engine is Safe Through 2023 at Least

While Mercedes-AMG is in the process of phasing out its V12 engine, domestic rival BMW plans to keep its twin-turbocharged V12 at least four more years. That’s when the 7 Series sedan would be due for a complete redesign.

“We will keep [the V12] for the rest of this generation at least, until 2023,” BMW’s head of powertrain development, Michael Bayer, told Top Gear at the global launch of the 2020 model.

• Also: 2020 BMW 7 Series: 6th Generation Gets a Major Update
• Also: A Facelift for the 2020 BMW 7 Series

Codenamed N74, the 12-cylinder monster can be found in the high-performance M760Li xDrive sedan, not to mention several Rolls-Royce models. It is especially popular in markets such as China and the Middle East where customers see it as a status symbol—large-displacement taxes be damned.

In fact, BMW 7 Series product chief Christian Metzger says the company has been “at maximum capacity building these engines” since the updated model was revealed.

From a performance standpoint, the 6.6-litre unit generates 600 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque. In the case of the M760Li xDrive, that means 0-100 km/h acceleration in just 3.8 seconds. On the other hand, it burns a whopping 17.7 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres in the city (11.9 L/100 km on the highway).

Earlier this year, BMW warned its shareholders that profits in 2019 will be well below last year due in part to the costs of compliance with tougher emissions and fuel economy requirements, so many assumed that an “outdated” engine like the V12 would be quickly eliminated as part of the money-saving measures the company promises to implement.

However, according to Bayer, BMW will find a way to make its flagship engine comply with emissions regulations for the time being. He didn’t exclude the possibility for the V12 to survive the next round of regulations, though he admitted it would be incredibly difficult.