Increasingly stringent emission regulations have led brands to put an end to several high-performance engines over the years. However, not all brands will put an end to the more “spiky” powertrains.
This is the case for BMW M, which has already made it known that it will maintain its inline six-cylinder and V8 engines under the Euro 7 standard. The CEO of the brand’s sports division, Frank van Meel, announced to the British “Autocar” that “the main challenge was not to produce an engine compliant with the Euro 7 standard, but to maintain its performance”.
The head of BMW M assured that the current turbocharged inline six-cylinder and V8 engines of the brand are safe, which means there will be no reduction in power and, definitely, no reduction in their size. “I couldn’t imagine putting a four-cylinder engine in an M5”, said Frank van Meel.
It should be noted that the Euro 7 standards will come into effect in November 2026, after being postponed this year, and although the new regulations are less severe than those that were initially proposed, they pose a challenge for automakers. While the allowed level of harmful exhaust gases remains unchanged compared to Euro 6, vehicles must meet the requirements across a broader range of situations, an update designed to reflect better real-world usage.
