Porsche V8 prepared to live beyond 2030

V8 power in Porsche cars is ready to survive into the next decade despite increasingly-strict emissions and noise rules.

However come 2030 – when new Euro 7 emissions rules come into effect in Europe – it is unclear if Porsche will still sell a suitable petrol-powered large car or SUV which can accommodate a V8 engine.

Thomas Freimuth, head of the Panamera model line, told Australian media the car's 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 will be upgraded to meet Euro 7 rules.

"[Based on] all we know, this engine is ready for Euro 7, it's no problem. We have to add some some parts which are in development, so we are ready with this V8 to go to the Euro 7 regulations we think that will come," he said.

The executive added: "This will also be possible without a hybrid system, because they changed [the regulations] a little bit ... I think there is a chance to get Euro 7 [compliance] without plug-in hybrid [technology] in the car."

European regulators voted last month on weakened Euro 7 rules which have similar CO2 emissions limits to today's standards, though they introduce new rules for particulate emissions from brakes and tyres.

The Audi and Porsche-developed 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 is offered without hybrid technology in the Cayenne – or with a plug-in hybrid system, and up to 500kW in the Cayenne and new Panamera sedan.

While the V8 may be able to meet Euro 7 rules, there is no guarantee there will be a vehicle in the company's line-up capable of using it.

The current petrol Cayenne is due to be joined by an electric model from 2026 – which will be sold alongside it for a yet-to-be-specified length of time.

Meanwhile the just-launched, new-generation petrol Panamera is due to be replaced by an electric car, underpinned by an SSP Sport electric-vehicle platform due in 2028.

Porsche has aimed for electric cars to account for more than 80 per cent of its sales by 2030.

Mr Freimuth said the German sports-car specialist is working to develop electric cars which deliver the same emotions as the engines in six-cylinder and V8 Porsches.

"The emotions of a [petrol] engine is very important for Porsche. It doesn't matter if it is a flat-six, a V6 or a V8, because they are all different, and the customers love the different kinds of emotions," the executive told media.

"We have to learn how to bring this emotion into our electric cars because the future is electric, so we have to find a solution for that. We are working on it. You see it in the Taycan, but there are big steps which we need to go.

"I think the V8 is all over the world the engine ... where we are looking for emotional things, especially noises, in the car."

He added: Even in the Panamera, for example, we have to deal with other regulations which say how [much] ... exhaust noise level [is allowed] on the exterior. It's getting down and down and down and down over the years."