The innovative 3-cylinder petrol engine with its exceptional smoothness, the 4-cylinder petrol engine and the multiple winner of the annual international Engine of the Year award, the BMW TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder petrol engine, set new standards. These new generation engines are even more economical, environmentally friendly and powerful than their predecessors. Innovative technologies, which are the cornerstones of the BMW EfficientDynamics strategy, combine the latest fuel injection systems, Valvetronic including Double-VANOS, as well as innovative turbocharging technologies. The result is the creation of particularly efficient power units that clearly demonstrate BMW experience in the field of motor engineering.
BMW TwinPower Turbo diesel engines
The BMW Twin Power diesel engines embody the principles of BMW EfficientDynamics: a combination of highest fuel efficiency, increased power and excellent ride quality. Cars with diesel engines can serve as models of efficiency and dynamics. At the same time, the BMW TwinPower Turbo 3-cylinder diesel engines are the ideal entry-level power units; The innovative BMW TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder engines and the powerful BMW TwinPower Turbo 6-cylinder diesel engines perform their work with exceptionally low emissions and friction losses. Diesel units BMW EfficientDynamics family with lightweight aluminum construction are equipped with turbochargers with variable geometry and CommonRail direct fuel injection system latest generation.
Along with the market launch of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan, 4 engines featuring high torque and efficiency using BMW TwinPower Turbo technology were introduced. These engines will be the heart of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan. The modern and responsive 2.0-litre engines with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology are the most powerful power units in the new generation of four-cylinder petrol engines. The technological basis for their creation was the award-winning six-cylinder petrol engine. According to the development strategy BMW programs EfficientDynamics The task set when designing new engines was to improve dynamic performance while simultaneously reducing fuel consumption and toxic emissions. The new BMW 3 Series Sedan will also be powered by the proven 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. diesel engine BMW TwinPower Turbo, which still develops the same high power, but now this engine has become more economical and less toxic. The engine with an aluminum alloy crankcase sets standards in many respects and combines the latest generation of common-rail direct injection with a variable turbine geometry turbocharger. The BMW 335i is emphatically sporty: with high torque power point 225 kW (306 hp) accelerates the BMW 3 Series Sedan from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.5 seconds, consuming an average of 7.9 l/100 km with CO2 emissions of 186 g/km. The BMW 328i and BMW 320i are characterized by impressively high dynamics and efficiency. The BMW 328i takes just 5.9 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h, with fuel consumption of just 6.4 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of 149 g/km. The sporty character of the BMW 320i is evident in the acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds, and the 135 kW (184 hp) engine, consuming an average of 6.1 to 6.3 liters of fuel, will allow you to enjoy constant pleasure from economical driving. The BMW 320d diesel engine produces 135 kW (184 hp) and consumes just 4.4 to 4.5 liters per 100 km with CO2 emissions of 117 to 118 g/km. The use of optional BMW BluePerformance technology means that the BMW 320d already meets the requirements of the EU6 standard, which will not come into force until 2014.
In parallel with the debut of the 3 Series sports sedan, the Bavarian concern presented a new product: a four-cylinder turbo engine, which, due to its throttle response, maximum engine speed and high power, can provide energetic traction. And with its relatively low weight, it fully satisfies the dynamics requirements of the new BMW sports sedan.
In addition, the presentation of this unit means that it is the one that is ready to replace 2.0-liter gasoline engines. And this is even despite the fact that, according to the plan of the concern’s management, in 2012 such devices will still be offered for cars of the third series. The updated four-cylinder engine is a real pleasure for users. Indeed, in addition to the unique ability to quickly gain power, it is much more environmentally friendly and economical than its older “comrades”.
In fact, fast 2.0-liter engines were introduced back in 1975. Even then it was one of the most promising areas in BMW work. By the way, these four-cylinder engines were installed on threes, which were exhibited to connoisseurs in 1975. But six-cylinder engines are still one of the most powerful and unsurpassed developments of the concern today, although their presentation also took place relatively long ago, namely in 1977 at the IAA exhibition.
So what's so special about these engine models? Thanks TwinPower technology Turbo power has significantly increased, and the engine efficiency system has also worked optimally. This technology involves the use of completely new, innovative solutions: High Precision Injection, Double VANOS continuously variable gas distribution system, Twin Scroll supercharging, as well as the VALVETRONIC valve control system.
Today, the technologies that BMW uses have no analogues in the world. Engineers who developed generations of such engines focus on its efficient operation and increasing power, while not increasing its volume, not increasing fuel consumption and engine weight, and also increasing the percentage of harmful emissions into the atmosphere.
The maximum power of the new four-cylinder petrol engine BMW TwinPower Turbo is 180 kW\245 hp. at a rotation speed of 5000 rpm. Engine capacity 1997 cm3. The maximum torque of 350 Nm is made possible thanks to TwinScroll turbo technology, which is already available at 1250 rpm. can maintain a value of up to 4800 rpm. The use of these technologies has made it possible to make the car so dynamic and powerful that when accelerating from a standstill, the new BMW 328i reaches 100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds, reaching a speed limited only by the electronic mark of 250 km/h.
In this case, all accelerator pedal commands for the engine have priority and at a frequency exceeding the idle speed, the engine gains the maximum power of the rotation speed range.
During EU cycle testing, average fuel consumption for the new BMW 328i was just 6.4 liters per 100 kilometers. Compared to the BMW 325i (the predecessor of this model), fuel consumption savings amounted to 11%. The same can be said for harmful CO2 emissions. Their indicator was the permissible 149 grams per kilometer, which is optimal and does not exceed existing requirements. Lower harmful emissions can be achieved by installing an eight-speed automatic transmission. Then fuel consumption will be even more symbolic - 6.3 liters per 100 kilometers and CO2 emissions will be 147 grams per kilometer, and this will be another 15% more efficient.
Now more about the technology TwinPower Turbo new four-cylinder engine
Thanks to the optimization of internal friction, the power of which is primarily influenced by injection and supercharging technology, this engine is by far the most powerful among its gasoline counterparts. The inline six-cylinder engine design, which was the basis of this new product, was repeatedly awarded prizes at various exhibitions. Application of technology in work TwinPower Turbo was a breakthrough, and the resulting engine model turned out to be so impressive that it can be taken as a model for all development engineers dealing with issues of dynamics, increasing power and efficiency of engines.
The use of unparalleled technologies (high-frequency High Precision Injection, Twin Scroll supercharging, Double VANOS continuously variable valve timing system, VALVETRONIC valve control system) made it possible to achieve unattainable power ranges. For traditional naturally aspirated engines, such ranges can only become realistic if the number of cylinders is increased. In addition, the engine design, with a block made of solid aluminum, is much more compact and lighter in weight than the design of a six-cylinder engine of the same power. This feature reduces the load on the front axle of the sedan and increases maneuverability. BMW demonstrates unique and unrivaled road handling.
Supercharging operates on the Twin Scroll principle, when the exhaust gas flows of cylinders 1 and 4, as well as cylinders 2 and 3, are sent in a spiral to the turbine wheel. Due to this feature, at low speeds only a slight exhaust backpressure occurs, as well as pulsation effects due to which the gas pressure can be used as efficiently as possible. So, when you press the accelerator pedal, the engine instantly responds to the command and very quickly begins to gain momentum. The speed the owner needs is achieved in a matter of seconds, and he receives incomparable pleasure from power and speed BMW 3 Series.
The VALVETRONIC valve control system (equipped with a servomotor with a built-in sensor, and can operate at high speeds) and the Double VANOS continuously variable valve timing system reduce harmful emissions into the atmosphere and also increase the vehicle's power.
In addition, the engine does not have a throttle valve, because... The valve strokes are adjusted smoothly and the air mass is controlled within the engine. Thanks to this, it was possible to optimize the reactions power unit and minimize losses during the gas exchange process.
Fuel is injected by operating electromagnetic injectors, which are located centrally between the valves. This High Precision Injection technology ensures efficient engine operation. The injection pressure of 200 bar occurs almost next to the spark plugs, which ensures uniform combustion of the fuel. Efficiency increases due to the cooling effect on the fuel. This contributes to a higher compression ratio than in engines with injection into the intake manifold.
Every conceivable innovative technology incorporated into the base engine makes this unit unsurpassed in terms of efficiency and power. Balancing shafts located on different heights, compensate for vibrations, and the pendulum damper in the dual-mass flywheel reduces torsional vibrations in the low rpm range. Because of this, the effective torque does not compromise driving comfort.
So the 2.0 liter six-cylinder engine its characteristics remain unsurpassed among its peers. This is an unattainable level that only BMW can achieve.
BWM used to be the archenemy of turbocharging (and front-wheel-drive) but today, there really isn't a Bavarian-engineered motor worth our time that doesn't come with at least one turbo, though they also opened the way for performance diesels with their “M” tri-turbo and quad-turbo setups.
TwinPower plays an important role when it comes to efficient and dynamic BMW gasoline and diesel engines. But what is TwinPower Turbo in reality and what does it have to offer to the automotive world?
When it comes to gasoline engines, TwinPower Turbo has three components that apply to anything from three- to twelve-cylinder engines: valvetronic, direct fuel injection and turbocharging. Meanwhile, turbodiesels use common rail injection.
Valvetronic, which stands for variable valve and electronic, is a BMW developed technology that allows to optimize consumption by adjusting the valve lift. The automaker says this technology will singlehandedly reduce fuel consumption by 10 percent while also offering better response.
This mainstream name that people associate with BMWs actually hides behind it a potent technology. The engine's computers offer continuous and precise control over variable intake valve lift. This key system means that when you press the gas pedal, the software system control how much the valves open instead of a regular intake system’s throttle plate.
The system uses another set of rockers that are controlled by an electronically operated camshaft. Because this system can adjust the valves from fully opened to almost closed, the engine doesn’t need to rev as much to increase the load.
Valvetronic was first introduced in 2001 on the 316ti 3 Series model and was primarily used on mass market naturally aspirated motors, like the N42 straight-4 and N52 straight-6. However, it was not used on the twin-turbo N54 straight-6. Instead, the single turbo N55 straight-6 that replaced it it in 2009 offering the same output and the N74 twin-turbo V12 in the top 7-Series were made the switch to Valvetronic. After that, the technology was of course not only in BMW’s big cars, but also in the smaller turbo engines offered on the 1 Series.
BMW uses the name High Precision Injection for its direct injection system with central multi-hole injectors, which were gradually replaced by port injection systems in the 2000s. Both naturally aspirated and turbocharged BMW engines used piezo injectors. However, BMW’s new N55 six-cylinder turbo engine that has been in use since 2010 in models like the 335i, 535i, X3, X5 and X5 use a solenoid-type injection system developed by Bosch. This system was most likely chosen in order to keep the cars competitively priced (cheap) in the U.S.
The name “TwinPower Turbo” has confused many people as to what lies under the hoods of their BMWs. That’s because the name describes both single and twin-turbo engines, despite what the name might suggest.
There was even a class-action lawsuit against BMW for confusing so many people. Calling the TwinPower Turbo a "false twin," the BMW lawsuit said that the Bavarians are guilty of false advertising in attempting to use the word "twin" in the name when the engines only use a single turbo.
TwinPower Turbo originally appeared on twin-scroll, single turbo (launched on the 5 Series Gran Turismo in 2009, followed by E90 335i, 135i, X3 and X5 in 2010) engines starting with the N55 (six-cylinder single turbo replacement for twin- turbo N54) and N74 (6-liter V12 twin-turbo in the 760i and 750Li) in 2009. Twin-scroll turbocharging is basically the core technology for TwinPower Turbo BMWs, but not all of them have it nowadays.
The twin-scroll design starts with an exhaust manifold that separates the exhaust gasses that can interfere with one another, as the gasses flow two through different spirals called “scrolls”. The turbo has two nozzles with different nozzles, one smaller and sharper for better low-end response and another larger and less angled one that comes in at high output requirements. BMW calls its special exhaust manifold Cylinder-bank Comprehensive Manifold or CCM for short.
As we mentioned above, modern BMW TwinPower engines don't necessarily use twin-scroll turbochargers, but they do have a distinct exhaust manifold that catches more exhaust pulses to feed the turbo and thus create more power with less lag.
Three-Cylinder Revolution: B37 and B38 TwinPower Turbo Gasoline and Diesel
A revolution is coming our way from BMW: three-cylinder engines, both gasoline and diesel that can compete much bigger ones. These are built under the modular engine strategy all using the same 500cc cylinders and offer TwinPower Turbo technology in outputs from 120 to 220 horsepower.
Right now, we know that the diesel was codenamed B37 and the gasoline B38, though what their variants and specific outputs are we don’t really know yet. Their first applications are in the hybrid sportscar and more importantly the FWD 1 Series and the family. They are already used by the RWD and in the lower part of the range.
The Best Four-Banger Turbos in the World
Let’s start things off small, shall we? In 2004, production started for the straight-4 engine, co-developed with PSA Peugeot Citroen. As a MINI, we know this turbo motor from the Cooper S and JCW, but in 2011, BMW had need of its abilities and came up with the N13 design, which had a different oil filter housing that allowed it to be fitted longitudinally in the RWD 1 Series. The engine was fitted to models like the 101 hp 114i, the 134 hp 116i or the 170 hp 118i model.
Perhaps the most important engine for BMW right now is the so-called N20, a 2.0-liter turbocharged straight-four that also has “TwinPower Turbo” written on its engine cover. This motor has replaced the naturally aspirated straight-6 in “20i” and “28i” BMWs, and is a viable and very efficient alternative.
The N20 displaces 1,997cc and has two stages of output, depending on the model you buy. The 184 PS version is the least powerful and is available on the current X1 and xDrive20i, the F30 320i, 520i and base Z4 sDrive20i. Meanwhile, the top version of this 2.0-liter TwinPower engine makes 245 PS and is used by the F30 328i, 528i as well as the X1, X3 and Z4 models with similar sounding names.
Straight-6 TwinPower Turbo: N55
When you add TwinPower Turbo technology to a straight-six engine, the advantages really become obvious. The N55 twin-scroll engine replaced the more expensive twin-turbo setup of the N54 back in 2009. But both engines pretty much offer the same sort of advantages. Comparable output to BMW’s own 4.0-liter V8 is achieved, with a lighter block and more low-end torque, even more tan that found in the E92 M3’s high-powered S65 V8.
The basic N55 makes 302 hp (305 PS) and 300 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque. It’s available in cars like the 335i, 135i and all the SUV models. There’s an even more power version called the N55HP, which makes 315 hp (320 PS) and 330 lb-ft (450 Nm) of torque, used by high-end models like the 640i, 740i and even the sporty M140i hyper hatchback.
The engine made its debut with the 5 Series GT in 2009. Equipped with this upgraded version of the six-cylinder, the BMW 535i Gran Turismo is said to be able to accelerate from a standstill to 100 km/h (62 mh) in 6.3 seconds, with a top speed limited to 250 km/h (155 mph). In terms of fuel economy/autonomy, BMW's 535i GT sits at 8.9 liters/100 kilometers or 31.7 mpg, while CO2 ratings climb at 209 grams per kilometer.
