BMW announced that going forward, it plans to use turbocharged, direct-injection engines in lieu of higher-revving, normally aspirated blocks in its high-performance M line of cars. AutoWeek reports that the decision is largely due to high manufacturing costs in Germany and tough emission standards across the globe.

"The move, which could alter the character of BMW M models, places question marks over the immediate future of the M3's 4.0-liter V8 and the M5's 5.0-liter V10," the report said. Sources at BMW say that those are two of the engines targeted for eventual discontinuation.

The first vehicle to get a forced induction, direct injection powerplant will be the turbo V8-equipped X6 xDrive M, whose main competition will be the Porsche Cayenne GTS and the Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG. The report said that the new engine should match the M5 V10's 500 horsepower while outputting 516 lb-ft of torque. It will also have better fuel economy and lower emissions, one company source said.