We
previously reported that BMW has plans to expand its TwinPower Turbo technology to its entire future 4-cylinder engine range. Word now comes from BMW AG that the future 3-cylinder engine range (gasoline and diesel) will also receive the TwinPower Turbo treatment.
The TwinPower Turbo package combines a single twin-scroll turbocharger, direct injection and full variable valvetronic. It first debuted on the N55 motor in the 5-series GT in 2009 and most recently on the first 4-cylinder motor, with the 2.0L N20 gasoline engine (
full N20 details) in the X1 xDrive28i. The use of this technology allows for increased horsepower while decreasing CO2 emissions. As an example, the N20 outputs 245hp compared to just 156hp from the naturally aspirated version.
No timing yet on when the first TwinPower Turbo 3-cylinder engines will debut, but they will likely power future entry-level BMWs such as the expected FWD models. "BMW has said this 3-cylinder unit, part of a modular family which also includes 4-cylinder, gasoline and diesel units will be the company's highest volume engine family, powering up to 1.5 million of the automaker's cars a year by 2014-2015. To put this volume into perspective, the figure is higher than that of the total global sales for BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce cars last year, which reached 1.46 million units."
Info and reviews about the N20 TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder motor:
http://www.bimmerpost.com/?s=n20
Source:
Autonews