New BMW N54 3.0 engine to be shown in Geneva
 

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.

With this new engine being available,it will bring a radical change to Bmws engine policy!

As far as I can recall the last time Bmw had a petrol turbo in production was the "too hot to handle" 2002 Turbo in the 1970's!

I was one of those that really wished Bmw had t/c the M3-E30 to completely knock out those 600hp+ Sierra Cosworth in the WTCC races!Still,even just 350 hp of normally aspirated power,this M3 still beat the mighty Fords!So,Bmw didnt need to produce a turbo car then!

With regards to the fuel economy of this new bi-turbo engine,I havent seen any fuel figures,but are you sure that it is almost as economical as the 3.0 TD as you say?

1977 - 1985 The E23 745i had a turbocharged, six cyl, 3,5 ltr. engine. My friend had one of those and what a great car!

Saxi

Thanks Saxi for the correction!I forgot about the 745i!Great car!Unfortunately Bmw didnt sell this car in all parts of the world!I dont think it was sold in the UK!

Definitely good info.

Sorry, that may not have been clear in my original post. I was referring to the N53 fuel consumption, not the N54 (I haven't seen any info yet on the N54 fuel consumption, just power and acceleration figures).

Current 3.0 gasoline (M54): 3.0, non-valvetronic, 225 hp SAE (base line)
3.0 in E90 330 (N52): 3.0, valvetronic, 255 hp, -12% fuel consumption
3.0 upcoming (N53) 3.0, DI, 255 hp, -20% fuel consumption
3.0 announced (N54): 3.0, DI, twin turbo, 306 hp, fuel consumption??

The 20% gain in fuel efficiency from the current 3.0 gasoline to the N53 engine goes a long way towards the 3.0d fuel consumption. No, it doesn't reach it, but in the real world it may effectively make the diesel and the associated challenges of meeting North American emissions regulations a moot point.

Good stuff. Thanks for sharing.

More Photos
 

From the same press release, these show the engine front cover, the twin turbos, and the intake system (including aftercooler).

From the plumbing of the turbos, they appear not to be sequential turbos, but rather parallel plumbing. This would be simpler and more reliable than sequential turbos.

There are documents around that announced this engine program (the NG6 development program) in July 2003, so it isn't that new. Still, I agree that there will be a lot of discussion regarding BMW moving to turbo gasoline engines. At least they stayed with the inline six configuration.

My main interest is in the DI technology from the V12 moving down to the inline six models. It shows what can still be done with what were already very highly developed engines.

This is a very good time to be a motorhead. On the other hand, these are not the sort of engines you would want to work on yourself. It was already pretty much impossible to get more hp out of a new BMW engine with any owner or aftermarket modifications short of forced induction. This just seals it.

Wow this new 3.0 turbo sounds like it will be a great engine. I would love to see it in a X3 they could probably badge it an IS that would kick some ass. And now that the 550 came out they definately need a new motor between the current 3.0 and the New 4.8. Its 105hp gap. they should just drop the 525 if that happens. As far as the 330 with that engine that thing will kick ass and the 3 def needs the power now that the is350 is out with 300hp.
But i am waiting for the new M3 at that time i will sell one of my current M3s not sure which one i will get rid of yet though. My E36 is a monster and is mint but my e46 is newer and fast too. So it will be tough to decide.