Euro 7 Emissions Rules Will Not Affect BMW M V8 And Straight-Six Engines.

BMW M’s inline six-cylinder and V8 engines will survive the introduction of stricter Euro 7 emissions regulations—and, the division chief claims, without losing performance.

Although the emission levels allowed for the cars are unchanged from the current Euro 6e regulations, they will be tested in a wider (and more difficult) range of scenarios, said to better reflect real-world driving. They must also remain compliant for 10 years or 124,000 miles (200,000 km), twice as long as currently. Brake and tire emissions will also be monitored for the first time.

Speaking to Autocar, BMW M CEO Frank van Meel said that “the challenge was not so much to make an EU7-compliant engine” but “to maintain the performance.” Van Mill would not reveal details, saying only that they have made some “very interesting” changes that they will discuss in detail in due course.

“The six-cylinder inline engine is our heritage, and the V8 has a long history in racing, so we intend to continue,” Van Meel said. When asked if BMW M would consider downsizing to a three- or four-cylinder engine with increased electrification to reduce emissions, he simply replied, “No.”

He added that such engines cannot satisfy M’s “very specific way of thinking” about how it wants sports cars to drive, in terms of torque delivery, rev range, and weight of its models. “I can’t imagine putting a four-cylinder engine in an M5,” said Van Meel.

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