BMW to Turbocharge its Entire Lineup of 4-Cylinder Gasoline Engines

Citing inside sources from BMW, British magazine Autocar is reporting that all of the Bavarian automaker's future four-cylinder engines will benefit from turbocharging technology. This includes all four-pots with outputs up to 245 horsepower, with the new straight-six engines taking over from there.

All of BMW's turbocharged four-cylinder engines will be built upon the same 2.0-liter aluminium block, with the difference in performance being made by using two different types of turbochargers and different engine mapping (apparently, BMW learned its lesson well from the VW Group...).

The aluminium block gets a new and very thin cylinder lining of only 0.3 millimeters thanks to the use of sprayed iron technology. That's a massive improvement over the classic 1.5 mm thick cast iron lining and it translates into less weight and more durability.

The most powerful engine, which will be soon available to order in the small X1 SUV under the xDrive28i badging, is a complex unit, having a double-sided twin-scroll turbocharger which works at pressures of up to 200 bar, double-VANOS variable valve timing and direct fuel injection.

Following lower-powered units are expected to get a single conventional turbo instead of the twin-scroll technology. The new turbocharged four-cylinder units will make their debut on the next generation of the 3-Series, expected in 2012.

BMW to Turbocharge its Entire Lineup of 4-Cylinder Gasoline Engines

Citing inside sources from BMW, British magazine Autocar is reporting that all of the Bavarian automaker's future four-cylinder engines will benefit from turbocharging technology. This includes all four-pots with outputs up to 245 horsepower, with the new straight-six engines taking over from there.

All of BMW's turbocharged four-cylinder engines will be built upon the same 2.0-liter aluminium block, with the difference in performance being made by using two different types of turbochargers and different engine mapping (apparently, BMW learned its lesson well from the VW Group...).

The aluminium block gets a new and very thin cylinder lining of only 0.3 millimeters thanks to the use of sprayed iron technology. That's a massive improvement over the classic 1.5 mm thick cast iron lining and it translates into less weight and more durability.

The most powerful engine, which will be soon available to order in the small X1 SUV under the xDrive28i badging, is a complex unit, having a double-sided twin-scroll turbocharger which works at pressures of up to 200 bar, double-VANOS variable valve timing and direct fuel injection.

Following lower-powered units are expected to get a single conventional turbo instead of the twin-scroll technology. The new turbocharged four-cylinder units will make their debut on the next generation of the 3-Series, expected in 2012.

New BMW Performance Kit Boosts 2.0-liter Diesel's Output to up 200HP

As well setting the stage for the world premiere of the Vision CD roadster concept and the production version of the pure-electric 1-Series ActiveE, the Geneva Motor Show will also see the launch of BMW's new Performance Power Kit for the firm's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine found on numerous models including the 1-,3- and 5-Series range in both rear- and all-wheel drive configurations. The upgrade is available for both the previous 177HP as well as the newer 184HP 2.0L engine.

Thanks to an engine software optimization plus a larger intercooler and a more-efficient fan for the main radiator, output is lifted from 177HP and 350Nm to 197HP and 390Nm, and from 184Hp and 380Nm to 200HP and 420Nm, for each engine respectively. According to BMW, the acceleration from 80 to 120 km/h in 5th gear is up to one second faster after the conversion.

Buyers can also add BMW's Performance Sports Silencer that comes with two round, chrome plated 74mm tail pipes, and which in addition to optimizing exhaust back pressure, also offers a sportier sound.

New BMW Performance Kit Boosts 2.0-liter Diesel's Output to up 200HP

As well setting the stage for the world premiere of the Vision CD roadster concept and the production version of the pure-electric 1-Series ActiveE, the Geneva Motor Show will also see the launch of BMW's new Performance Power Kit for the firm's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine found on numerous models including the 1-,3- and 5-Series range in both rear- and all-wheel drive configurations. The upgrade is available for both the previous 177HP as well as the newer 184HP 2.0L engine.

Thanks to an engine software optimization plus a larger intercooler and a more-efficient fan for the main radiator, output is lifted from 177HP and 350Nm to 197HP and 390Nm, and from 184Hp and 380Nm to 200HP and 420Nm, for each engine respectively. According to BMW, the acceleration from 80 to 120 km/h in 5th gear is up to one second faster after the conversion.

Buyers can also add BMW's Performance Sports Silencer that comes with two round, chrome plated 74mm tail pipes, and which in addition to optimizing exhaust back pressure, also offers a sportier sound.

VST Conversions' Electric BMW E30 can toast a Tesla [with Video]

Maybe I'm crazy, but aren't vintage electric conversions just so much more interesting than current electric cars? They're like old Mercedes diesels converted to biodiesel: vintage cool but using modern day tech to be efficient, clean, and (in the this case) very fast.

This green '86 BMW 3-Series E30, built by Croatia's VST Conversions, is the brainchild of Mate Rimac; he wanted to go fast in an electric car, and now he can.

After working through a few power setups, the current version of the VST "bi-moto EV" puts down 500 horsepower through the wheels and can run the quarter in 12.1. The word you're looking for is DAMN. As in "Damn, this thing is awesome."

It only helps that the car's coated in a juicy shade of green and its graphics pay homage to BMW's 1-Series ActiveE concept. Now, I can't make any sense of the parts and other jazz used, but if you can, enjoy more info and pics of the build at DIY Electric Car.

By Phil Alex

Source: DIY Electric , Via: Green.Autoblog

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VST Conversions' Electric BMW E30 can toast a Tesla [with Video]

Maybe I'm crazy, but aren't vintage electric conversions just so much more interesting than current electric cars? They're like old Mercedes diesels converted to biodiesel: vintage cool but using modern day tech to be efficient, clean, and (in the this case) very fast.

This green '86 BMW 3-Series E30, built by Croatia's VST Conversions, is the brainchild of Mate Rimac; he wanted to go fast in an electric car, and now he can.

After working through a few power setups, the current version of the VST "bi-moto EV" puts down 500 horsepower through the wheels and can run the quarter in 12.1. The word you're looking for is DAMN. As in "Damn, this thing is awesome."

It only helps that the car's coated in a juicy shade of green and its graphics pay homage to BMW's 1-Series ActiveE concept. Now, I can't make any sense of the parts and other jazz used, but if you can, enjoy more info and pics of the build at DIY Electric Car.

By Phil Alex

Source: DIY Electric , Via: Green.Autoblog

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BMW’s South Carolina Factory May Get Fourth Model, Possibly 3-Series

BMW is considering adding a fourth model to its Spartanburg, South Carolina factory in order to further compete with U.S. luxury market leaders Lexus and Mercedes-Benz.

The Bavarian firm's chief, Frank-Peter Arndt believes an additional "volume model" could be added to Spartanburg's production line. The introduction of a fourth model would help reduce BMW's exposure to foreign currency, which presently tops US$14 billion. IHS Automotive analyst Rebecca Lindland believes the 3-Series is the most likely candidate for production at Spartanburg: "The 3-Series is a no-brainer." she said.

Of the 1.07 million vehicles BMW delivered last year, 397,103 of them were 3-series models. In spite of a 9.2% rise in U.S. sales from January to September 2010, BMW is still trailing behind Mercedes-Benz and Lexus.

The Spartanburg factory - which makes BMW's X5 and X6 SUVs - recently underwent a US$750 million renovation to squeeze in the compact X3. The introduction of the latter model meant an increase in BMW's U.S. production capacity by a whopping 50%. Roughly 70% of the vehicles built in Spartanburg are exported, with more than 65% of the component parts sourced from North American suppliers.

Giving further credence to the 3-series at Spartanburg rumor is the December 2009 announcement by rival Mercedes-Benz that it would begin building the C-Class at its Alabama factory. It only figures that BMW would want to face this threat head on.

By Tristan Hankins

Source: Bloomberg

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BMW’s South Carolina Factory May Get Fourth Model, Possibly 3-Series

BMW is considering adding a fourth model to its Spartanburg, South Carolina factory in order to further compete with U.S. luxury market leaders Lexus and Mercedes-Benz.

The Bavarian firm's chief, Frank-Peter Arndt believes an additional "volume model" could be added to Spartanburg's production line. The introduction of a fourth model would help reduce BMW's exposure to foreign currency, which presently tops US$14 billion. IHS Automotive analyst Rebecca Lindland believes the 3-Series is the most likely candidate for production at Spartanburg: "The 3-Series is a no-brainer." she said.

Of the 1.07 million vehicles BMW delivered last year, 397,103 of them were 3-series models. In spite of a 9.2% rise in U.S. sales from January to September 2010, BMW is still trailing behind Mercedes-Benz and Lexus.

The Spartanburg factory - which makes BMW's X5 and X6 SUVs - recently underwent a US$750 million renovation to squeeze in the compact X3. The introduction of the latter model meant an increase in BMW's U.S. production capacity by a whopping 50%. Roughly 70% of the vehicles built in Spartanburg are exported, with more than 65% of the component parts sourced from North American suppliers.

Giving further credence to the 3-series at Spartanburg rumor is the December 2009 announcement by rival Mercedes-Benz that it would begin building the C-Class at its Alabama factory. It only figures that BMW would want to face this threat head on.

By Tristan Hankins

Source: Bloomberg

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2012 BMW F30 3-Series Spy Shots, Now With a Better View of the Interior

Here are some more spy shots of the upcoming next-gen BMW 3-Series with a closer look at the interior. Codenamed the F30, BMW is likely to play its next bread and butter 3-Series pretty safe with an evolutionary design. Even without looking at the pics, we all know it'll be the 3-Series version of the 5-Series.

As stated in our previous post (read here), power is likely to come from a series of inline-4 and -6 cylinder gasoline and diesel engines that'll see some boost from turbochargers. Also, with BMW downsizing and boost-raising, the next M3 could see either a turbo V8 or possibly even revert to a lighter but high-output 6-cylinder.

Inside, you'll see the newest bit: the car's center information stack is turned slightly toward the driver, harking back to the good old days of BMW. Also, this F30 seAlso, this F30 sedan is just the beginning. After it and the coupe/convertible debut, we could see a hybrid and even a GT variant joining the ranks. As soon as we got some spy pics of those two nasties, we'll let you know.

By Phil Alex