M Powerplants to go Turbo

By / 27 Nov 2008 / 15 Comments

Autoweek has the scoop on the M division abandoning naturally aspirated engines. We’ve heard rumblings about this for the past couple of months but this is the first time it’s been even remotely on the record. Here’s an excerpt:

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.

“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.

+ BMW to abandon high-revving engines in M cars; X6 first M to get turbo / Autoweek

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  • Chris Chao

    I wonder if the twin-turbo V8 would work in the M3. It produces similar power and a ton more torque. May probably get better gas mileage as well. The character of the engine would be vastly different than the high-revving normally aspirated V8, but acceleration might actually improve due to all of the available torque down low in the rev range.

  • Dylan

    This is very interesting. Can we finally now badge the 135i as the M1 :P

  • Mr. BMW

    No, but the M1 should come and with this news flash, TT in the world of M… Well, well.

    Mr. BMW

  • rkw

    From an article in BusinessWeek

    “We are producing the wrong engines,” Manfred Schoch, the chairman of BMW’s works council, warned. The [Munich] plant can satisfy the demand for eight-cylinder engines in single-shift operation over a four-day workweek.
  • http://bimmerfile.com Michael

    We have seen this coming for sometime but this just adds more evidence to it. The SAV ///M models are definitely turbos.

    And as far as the larger displacement going away this again confirms rumors floating around in Sept. http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/09/03/bmw-to-say-good-bye-to-large-displacement-engines/

  • Zepia

    2 tons SUV with turbo engine dont sound like car from M division.

    I think its a good idea to increase sales(and make more money) but may not good for M division in long term.

    from now M will stand for “Marketing” …not “Motorsport” ever.

  • JonPD

    SAV ///M… the entire idea still is one of the worse concepts our of BMW for a very long while. oh well.

    I will be looking hard at the new Z4 M when it comes out and would have to say if its a turbo I am likely to purchase one of the current generation cars. Turbos are ok but completely re-writes a sizable portion of what the ///M division has stood for. This will be interesting as it also changes the character of the car massively in my view. I shudder to imagine the next M3 with a high output turbo 4 cylinder.

  • Pingback: M Power - wyłącznie turbo | BMW Time - Kult marki BMW

  • Nick

    yeah let’s put a turbo in every single vehicle BMW produces….there goes long-term engine reliability right there as well as their engines’ famous power curve. I hope BMW develops it’s turbo technology to a further extent, we don’t want to see more vehicles going into “limp home mode” after a few miles of brisk driving.

  • http://bimmerfile.com Michael

    NIck,

    Not sure I can agree with you there on long term reliability. Modern turbos are very reliable especially with the new coatings and metals used. I rather have a turbo than dealing with the VANOS system as it ages.

    The issue with the limp mode is due to faulty high pressure fuel pumps. Those parts are from a specific supplier and have been redesigned and the variations in the US fuel supply also are impacting that part; the EU is not experiencing the same issues.

    With more money going into turbos R&D you are going to see some very interesting and reliable things down the road, do not be surprised to see some form of over-boost etc. in ///M versions as well as a kinetic recovery system like F1. Fun stuff and much more to come!

  • http://Sonyrumors.net illegalprelude

    Im curious, ive never owned a Turbo Car but, what is the down side of a Turbo V8 vs. a high revving V8

  • JonPD

    Just two very different personalities between the two engines, by the feel under foot of a high revving motor compared to a turbo motor it feels quite different. I also have to say the engine sound is massively different beasts. This doesn’t mean much though as I can see why BMW is heading down this path.

  • Bob

    Test drive a 335i! It doesn’t even feel like a turbo. The relibialty issue won’t be an problem when the engineers get finished developing the engines. I believe this is BMW facing the “real world” and being prepared for the future.

  • Chaz

    I thought turbos would be reliable these days too, until I spent $5000 to replace them in my Audi S4. They do demand some TLC because of the thermal stresses they put on components.

    I think BMW is probably doing the right thing (even if I don’t like it).

  • http://Sonyrumors.net illegalprelude

    Chaz, I believe thats because Audi’s blow nuts. My buddy went through 3 2001 or 02 Audi S4s. The cars Turbo and intercooler pipe kept always falling apart.