BMW with V8 Engine

Last updated June 2nd, 2023

A look at the most powerful BMW vehicles in Dayton, OH

BMWs are good at making heads turn in appreciation, but a BMW is good for more than looks. For a company that consistently offers power, speed, and top-of-the-line technology, BMW has a long and rich history.

BMW stands for Bavarian Motor Works, a German company founded in 1916 by Karl Rupp, Gustav Otto, Camillo Castiglioni, and Franz Josef Popp. The company started off manufacturing aircraft engines that were popular for high-altitude performance and fuel efficiency, making BMW a top choice during WWI and WWII. After WWII, BMW transitioned into making cars as we know them today.

Unsurprisingly for a company that started making aircraft engines, a lot of thought goes into what’s under the hood of a BMW vehicle. Consideration for speed, acceleration, power, dynamics, and efficiency all come into play in a BMW’s engine.

V6 vs. V8 Engine Guide: All You Need to Know

There are many considerations when buying a new car; things like engine capabilities can confuse some. One major component to take into consideration is the type of engine. Knowing the difference between something commonly discussed as a V8 or a V6 engine can be necessary for purchasing.

V6 vs V8: What's the difference?

A V6 engine is a 6-cylinder engine, while a V8 is an 8-cylinder engine. The V represents the way that cylinders are arranged in the engine. V-type engines have cylinders set similarly to a V shape, with two equal rows of cylinders coming together. This shape is commonly used in vehicles since it requires less space and can easily fit into most cars.

V6 Engine

A V6 engine, having those six cylinders in the V arrangement, is compact and solid. The configuration has been around for a long time, going back to the early days of the internal combustion engine. The design is simple, cost-efficient, and lighter than others. While it is a simple layout, it has more power than a four-cylinder engine and offers high fuel efficiency. V6 engines can also have better handling.<

V8 Engine

V8 engines, on the other hand, have two extra cylinders in the V arrangement, offering better power and acceleration. The speed and power boost make V8 engines exceptionally suited to most muscle cars. If you’re looking at handling and towing, V8 engines offer a lot of stable power for you to use. When you go to accelerate, drivers can quickly feel the engine's power. For those who love to feel their engine's power, speed, and dynamics, a V8 might just be the path to take.

BMW Engines

BMW primarily relies on a single-core V8 family in the N63. The N63 was launched in 2008 but has undergone several technical updates over the years. The BMW M GmbH division uses the S63 engines, specially modified and designed that are derived from the core N63. Another version of the N63 is the P63, a racing engine currently in use in the M8 GTE endurance contender.
ALPINA also uses a variation of the N63 V8 engines, with specific tweaks carried out by the engineers from Buchloe. The current powerplant variant relies on the latest N63B44T3 iteration, with no clear “Mx” code to signal the new ALPINA V8 unit (compared to the previous M1, M1/1, M2, M2/1, M2/2, and M5 versions).
The designations are relatively simple: N63, S63, and P63. All three engines share the same roots (the “63”), while the prefix letters (the “N,” “S,” and “P”) signal vital differences between the engines.

“N” stands for “New Generation” (“Neue” in German, 2006 to 2016)

“S” likely stands for “Sport” and is used exclusively on BMW M models

“P” could mean “Performance” and is reserved for the BMW Motorsport division

“B,” which denotes the fuel type (“Benzine” in German, which means gasoline)

“44,” which signals the engine displacement of 4.4 liters

“T” represents the technical updates, followed by a subsequent incremental digit (“0”, “1”,”2?,”3?, etc.)

Furthermore, the “6” in the root (“63”) denotes the 8-cylinder architecture (vs.”7? standing for 12-cylinder, for example), whereas the “3” is technical design code highlighting the presence of turbocharging and direct injection.
Overall, the core N63 engine is a forerunner in many aspects, including being the first in the industry to use a hot-vee layout and being the first BMW V8 unit to use turbocharging and direct injection.

N63 Technical Details

As mentioned, the new N63 BMW V8 engines are the first V8 units in the automotive world to feature a hor-vee layout. The hot-vee configuration, sometimes called a hot inner V, relates to the tremendous thermal energy developed by the engine and the placement of the turbochargers and exhaust manifolds in the V angle between the cylinder banks.
BMW’s pioneered layout has the net advantage of slimming down the engine's width compared to traditional configurations with the intake manifold inside the V and the exhaust myriad outside the angle.
The advantage of placing the exhaust manifold and turbocharging between the cylinders is that the distance between the exhaust valves and the turbochargers is reduced. The shorter the length, the faster and more effective the turbocharger is. The hot-vee layout also helps to reduce the turbo lag and acceleration response.
BMW has installed air-to-water intercoolers, which have further improved the throttle response. The principle of the air-to-water intercooler is relatively simple: it takes advantage of a repetitive cycle, using the heat from the engine in the form of gas or “air” to exchange and transfer new cooler air through the “water’ circuit. That water is then fed back into the engine.

N63 Technical Updates

As aforementioned, the N63 engines have been on the market since 2008, but they have undergone several significant upgrades to make them more efficient and powerful. The first update happened in 2012 and benefited from the installation of several systems, including:

VALVETRONIC
revised turbochargers
lighter pistons
forged connecting rods and crankshaft
a revised fuel system
an additional coolant pump
new valve stem seals
a new valve cover labyrinth oil catch/return system

The peak output increased to 444 horsepower, with the maximum torque now achieving 479 lb-ft—the N63B44O1 equipped models produced between 2013 and 2016. In 2016, another technical update was released for the N63, known as the N63B44O2, which included the following:

twin-scroll turbochargers
the oil/coolant heat exchanger moved inside the “V.”
a revised, wider powerband

The most recent technical update of the N63 came two years later 2018, when BMW released two further updates: the N63B44M3 and the N63B44T3. The M3 version came with 456 HP, a new ignition system, and improved crankcase and cylinder head thermal insulation. The more powerful N63B44T3 boasts 523 HP, higher pressure injectors, larger twin-scroll turbochargers, a redesigned intake manifold, and an upstream cooling radiator. The N63B44M3 was briefly used between 2018 and 2019 in the following models:

the pre-LCI G30 M550i xDrive Sedan
the US-only G05 X5 xDrive50i
the US-only G07 X7 xDrive50i

Currently, the standard V8 engine you can expect to find across the high-end BMW family is the most recent N63B44T3, which powers these models:

G14/G15/G16 M850i models (Convertible/Coupe/Gran Coupe)
G05 X5 M50i
G06 X6 M50i
G07 X7 M50i
G11/G12 LCI 750i/750Li models
G30 LCI M550i xDrive Sedan

Which BMWs Are the Most Powerful?

Let’s get into the most potent types of BMWs on the market.

Turbocharged V6 Engine

V6 engines have been a staple in the BMW lineup for years. The turbocharged V6 engine brings an even better balance of power and efficiency. And in many ways, it gives the V8 a run for its money. Here are some of the highlights of the turbocharged V6 engine:

More powerful towing ability
Higher power ceiling that V6s
Faster 0-60 acceleration

BMW's V8 Engine

V8 engines have been the pinnacle of power since the early 1900s, and it's difficult for other engines to compare to their sheer ability. The most potent BMWs offered have V8 engines, and there are still more V8 models coming in the future.

Fantastic fuel efficiency
A compact design that fits into varying model sizes
More hp than less powerful engines like I4s and standard V6s

BMW M5 CS

V8 Engine

627 hp

0-60 miles in 2.9 seconds

553 lb-ft of torque

BMW M5 CS

V8 Engine

617 hp

0-60 miles in 3 seconds

553 lb-ft of torque

Enjoy a Luxury Experience with a V8 BMW

BMW brings a balance of luxury, accessibility, and power to car enthusiasts everywhere. Whether you’re looking to pick up a vehicle with a V6 engine or a V8 one, there’s something for everybody in our lineup. And when you add on our VIP benefits package, value is guaranteed.
At BMW of Dayton, we’re proud to offer a selection for every kind of driver. Whether you’re looking for something fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly, sporty, or exceedingly powerful, we’re here to help you find it. So, if you’re looking for a luxury car dealership near Dayton, Centerville, or anywhere in Southwest Ohio, we’ve got a selection for you.
>If you want to take a look at one of our new, used, or certified pre-owned vehicles, feel free to stop by our store at 7124 Poe Avenue in Dayton, Ohio. Or you can call us at (937) 890-6200 to see what vehicles we have in stock.