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Emissions Regulations
In our modern world of motoring, climate change takes center stage in terms of what everyone is trying to help reduce or completely arrest. This has led automakers and global leaders to constantly rethink and redraft emissions regulations. For the most part, the future of emissions standards is set to become stricter and more restrictive for automakers.
This could lead to problems for brands with high-performance models featuring large-displacement engines. BMW's M division is preparing for stricter guidelines by future-proofing its larger engines.
Earth-Friendly V8s and Inline-Six
According to a report by BMW Blog, the German automaker BMW has been working to ensure its big engines remain compliant for the future. Specifically, they have updated the S58 (twin-turbo V6) and S68 (twin-turbo V8) to be able to run on Euro 7 fuel, which will ensure that they'll stay in production longer, with estimates being well into the 2030s.
BMW itself has gone on record as saying that larger-displacement engines will be around for a long time to come. During the recently concluded Goodwood Festival of Speed, Frank Van Meel, the CEO of BMW's M Division, was candid with the media, stating that the brand is very committed to its inline-six and V8 engines. It seems that BMW's top engineers have updated the engines with a slew of technical upgrades.
Technical Details
The 3.0-liter inline-six (S58) now utilizes something called M Iignite, which is a pre-chamber integrated into the cylinder head. Part of the new additions are a higher compression ratio and turbochargers with variable geometry technology. All of this translates to better fuel efficiency, especially when being driven "spiritedly." Moreover, the M3 and M4 are already using the updated engine, while the M2 is set to be integrated by August of this year.
Regarding the V8 (S68), BMW will not use the M Ignite system; instead, it will adopt a Miller combustion cycle to boost fuel efficiency. BMW has also reworked the engine management system and improved the exhaust aftertreatment to further reduce emissions. According to the report, however, these updated engines are not yet set to debut on US-spec and bound vehicles.
