BMW debuts all-new 4.4-litre twin-turbo S68 V8

BMW has quietly introduced a new V8 engine to its range, as the S68 comes in to replace the aging N63 and S63.

Making its debut in the new X7 M60i, the S68 is a 4.4-litre, twin-turbocharged V8, pushing out 390kW and 750Nm in the SUV while making use of BMW's revolutionary hot-vee design with both turbos nestled in the middle of the two cylinder banks.

Despite sharing the same displacement, basic design and outputs of the outgoing N63 which was used in the previous X7's xDrive50i grade, the S68 is a totally new engine, featuring a cross-bank exhaust manifold, banksymmetrical turbochargers and external engine oil cooling – as well as a reinforced crankshaft drive, revised turbochargers, a new oil pump and a weight-minimised oil sump.

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As opposed to the rest of BMW's hybrid model line-up, which use 48-volt mild-hybrid motors attached to the crankshaft, the S68's hybrid power comes from an electric motor mounted in the vehicle's eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission, making its debut in the new X7 with up to 9kW and 200Nm of assistance.

BMW says the new V8 unit and its mild-hybrid package can help the X7 to acheive the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.7 seconds – not bad for an SUV with a kerb weight of just under 2.5 tonnes.

On the WLTP cycle, the S68-powered X7 returned a fuel consumption reading of 12.2-13.3 litres per 100 kilometres, with its CO2 emissions of 278-303 grams per kilometre ensuring it complies with Euro 6d emissions regulations.

While we can expect to see the S68 under the bonnet of BMW's next-generation M Division cars, the upcoming Range Rover and Range Rover Sport have to make do with the older N63 engine.