New BMW N54 3.0 engine to be shown in Geneva

[JCL]

The update to the N52 (Valvetronic 3.0 6 cyl, 255 hp) is reportedly going to be shown in Geneva, March 2-12. Following a lot of speculation on the 'fest about the new 335 (turbo, n/a, etc) the attached was posted today on the E90 board:

From BMW Press Club Site (German):

N54 Bi-Turbo engine with HPI direct injection.
306HP, 400Nm available in range 1500 to 5800rpm. Max 7000 rpm. With full aluminium crankshaft casing , Bi-VANOS, electric water pump. 70kg less weight than 4.0L V8 NA engine. No turbo lag.

Tested in E90:
80-120kmh in 6.3s (eg. 330i in 8.2s)
0-100kmh in 5.7s (eg. 330i in 6.3s)

The press release is on the BMW site, in German.


This is designed to fill the price and performance gap between the 330 and the new M3, given how expensive the M3 is expected to be. It is supposed to be out in the E90 by June 2006. I have been waiting for it to show up or be announced for the 530T, but no word yet, except that the press release says it will follow in other models.

What isn't mentioned here is the N53, which is the N52 with the addition of direct injection (but without the twin turbos). This will be the likely engine for the new X5. There is a reported 20% improvement in fuel economy over the current 3.0, partly due to the valvetronic (+12%) and partly due to the direct injection (+8%). Power is expected to remain the same as the current N52, 255 hp.

It is always possible that the twin-turbo could be made available in the new X5, given that there has been discussion about the 4.4 being discontinued with the new body style, and only the 3.0 and 4.8 being available in North America. The twin-turbo 3.0 would effectively replace the 4.4 litre. While the peak power and torque would be down slightly, the engine would likely have more torque available over a wider rev range, making it very suitable for a heavy vehicle like the X5.

Also, the availability of the 255 hp N53 DI valvetronic 3.0 would likely make the diesel less attractive for North America, as the fuel economy would be close between the two.

Opinions/guesses/wild speculation are all welcome.

Photo attached below, from the press release.