BMW to abandon high-revving engines in M cars; X6 first 'M' to get turbo
11-26-08, 05:29 PM
#1
G35x - RWD/AWD goodness
Thread Starter
BMW to abandon high-revving engines in M cars; X6 first 'M' to get turbo
Tough emissions standards worldwide and soaring manufacturing costs in Germany are behind BMW's decision to switch from high-revving, naturally aspirated engines in its M high-performance vehicles to turbocharged direct-injection powerplants, beginning as early as next year.
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. Both engines will make way for forced-induction engines in coming years, according to high-ranking BMW sources.
The first M vehicle to make the move to the new turbo powerplants is the X6 xDrive M, which will challenge the Porsche Cayenne GTS and the Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG.
Set to appear next June, the X6 xDrive M will be the first model to run BMW M's new twin-turbocharged V8. This engine is also earmarked for the next-generation M5, due out in late 2010.
Based on the standard X6 xDrive 5.0i's 4.4-liter 90-degree V8, the new twin-turbo unit is said to match the current M5's naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V10 for power at 500 hp, while providing as much as 516 lb-ft of torque.
This should be enough to provide the M-powered X6 with 0-to-60 mph acceleration of less than 5 seconds and top speed limited to 155 mph.
"In terms of overall performance, the new engine doesn't give anything away to the powerplant we run now, but it delivers much better consumption and lower emissions," a senior BMW M official told AutoWeek.
The move comes as Mercedes-Benz's AMG performance unit is planning to turbocharge its 6.2-liter V8 when it introduces direct injection in 2010.
Besides developing new turbocharged engines, BMW's M division is also planning to equip new models with features such as automatic stop/start and brake regeneration in a bid to cut fuel consumption and emissions.
BMW is also testing a new driveline incorporating technology from next year's X6 ActiveHybrid, with a nickel-metal-hydride battery pack used to power an electric motor to boost performance levels.
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. Both engines will make way for forced-induction engines in coming years, according to high-ranking BMW sources.
The first M vehicle to make the move to the new turbo powerplants is the X6 xDrive M, which will challenge the Porsche Cayenne GTS and the Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG.
Set to appear next June, the X6 xDrive M will be the first model to run BMW M's new twin-turbocharged V8. This engine is also earmarked for the next-generation M5, due out in late 2010.
Based on the standard X6 xDrive 5.0i's 4.4-liter 90-degree V8, the new twin-turbo unit is said to match the current M5's naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V10 for power at 500 hp, while providing as much as 516 lb-ft of torque.
This should be enough to provide the M-powered X6 with 0-to-60 mph acceleration of less than 5 seconds and top speed limited to 155 mph.
"In terms of overall performance, the new engine doesn't give anything away to the powerplant we run now, but it delivers much better consumption and lower emissions," a senior BMW M official told AutoWeek.
The move comes as Mercedes-Benz's AMG performance unit is planning to turbocharge its 6.2-liter V8 when it introduces direct injection in 2010.
Besides developing new turbocharged engines, BMW's M division is also planning to equip new models with features such as automatic stop/start and brake regeneration in a bid to cut fuel consumption and emissions.
BMW is also testing a new driveline incorporating technology from next year's X6 ActiveHybrid, with a nickel-metal-hydride battery pack used to power an electric motor to boost performance levels.
11-26-08, 07:29 PM
#9
Lexus Fanatic
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Blame tree huggers 
11-27-08, 02:59 PM
#14
Lexus Fanatic
Might not be a bad idea, especially for the American market. Like with a lot of VTEC Honda/Toyota fours, the average American driver doesn't want to carry the RPMs out to stratospheric levels to get max HP or torque. The M3, for instance, has its 414 HP peak at an absurd 8000 RPM, with only 295 ft-lbs of torque. While that, of course, is no slouch, I myself have driven/reviewed several cars just in the last year alone than can handily dust off an M3 in low/mid-range torque. The Mercedes E63 AMG, for example, has 465 ft-lbs. of torque at a lower RPM....the C63 AMG almost as much. The upcoming Cadillac CTS-V (which has not been released to the public yet) has 551 ft-lbs. of torque from its supercharged V8......that's almost TWICE the torque of the M3, and at only 3600 RPM.
If BMW can do a good turbo powerplant for the M cars (and it already has an excellent one in the 135i/335i twin-turbo six to start from), then, IMO, to risk another pun, more power to them.
If BMW can do a good turbo powerplant for the M cars (and it already has an excellent one in the 135i/335i twin-turbo six to start from), then, IMO, to risk another pun, more power to them.
Last edited by mmarshall; 11-27-08 at 03:05 PM.
