Despite placing a heavy focus on electrification with 25 new electrified models planned by 2023, BMW will continue to invest in internal combustion engines for the foreseeable future, Automotive News reports.
Speaking at the sidelines of the recent #NextGen showcase, where the German carmaker also revealed the Vision M Next and Power BEV, Klaus Froelich, BMW Group board member for development explained, “a best assumption of 30% of electrified sales (battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids) by 2025 means that at least 80% of our vehicles will have an internal combustion engine.”
“We see areas without a recharging infrastructure such as Russia, the Middle East and the western, internal part of China so they will rely on gasoline engines for another 10 to 15 years,” he said, adding that BMW expects diesel engines to survive at least 20 more years, and petrol engines for at least 30 years.
Froelich also noted that the shift to electrification is overhyped, as some markets won’t fully embrace electricfied vehicles for another 10 years (or more). The lack of charging infrastructure also means places like Russia, the Middle East and certain parts of China will still rely on conventional combustion engines for another 10-15 years.
Meanwhile, in places like the United States electric vehicles won’t go mainstream quickly as they’re more popular on the East and West Coast. “Battery-electric vehicles cost more in terms of raw materials for batteries. This will continue and could eventually worsen as demand for these raw materials increases,” added.
Even though BMW isn’t giving up on internal combustion engines, it will trim its portfolio by phasing out the 1.5 litre three-cylinder turbodiesel it offers in Europe. Additionally, the 3.0 litre quad-turbo oil burner used in the 750d will also not be replaced given its complexity. Four- and six-cylinder diesel units will remain, but with no more than three turbochargers.
On the petrol side of things, the venerable V12 is also coming to an end, partly because it’s a costly affair to ensure proper updates to meet new emission regulations, but also due to the lack of sales – BMW Group sells just 5,000 vehicles with the engine, and this includes Rolls-Royce cars.
The smaller V8 has better odds for survival, although electrification will be necessary to avoid the hefty CO2 taxes in markets like the United Kingdom and France. However, as Froelich explained, “six-cylinder units coupled with plug-in hybrid applications already deliver more than 500 kW (670 hp) of power and enough torque to destroy any transmission,” which makes the case for a V8 rather questionable.
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