2023 BMW M550i xDrive

N63

Twin-Turbo V8

A torque-rich twin-turbo V8 with effortless, swelling mid-range shove and quick throttle response, delivering big-sedan thrust without drama.

BMW's N63, in production since 2008, was the company's first turbocharged petrol V8; it replaced the naturally aspirated N62 and debuted in the 2008 E71 X6 xDrive50i. The refined N63TU2 powers the G30 M550i.

• The N63 was the world's first production engine to use a 'hot-vee' layout, nesting the turbochargers inside the V between the cylinder banks.
• That hot-vee design shortens the exhaust path to the turbos and makes the whole engine narrower, sharpening throttle response.
• It uses air-to-water intercooling rather than conventional air-to-air for more compact, responsive boost.
• The architecture proved so capable it went on to power nearly every large BMW — 5, 6, 7 and 8 Series, X5, X6 and X7 — and even found use under Land Rover hoods.