E90Post
 


Coby Wheel
 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > BIMMERPOST Universal Forums > General BMW News and Cars Discussion > Autoweek's BMW N20 Engine Review -- four cylinders, more power



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      02-18-2011, 11:51 AM   #1
GregW / Oregon
Commander-In-Chief
2067
Rep
8,898
Posts

Drives: 2023 M2 Coupe, 2020 GLE 450
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Lake Oswego, OR

iTrader: (3)

Garage List
BMW's N20 engine--four cylinders, more power

From Autoweek.com, 2/18/11

More power, greater torque, reduced fuel consumption, lower tailpipe emissions and less weight--but better? Before driving the BMW X1 xDrive28i, the first model to feature the German carmaker's new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, we weren't so sure.

The new engine, known as the N20 and set to lead a return of four-cylinder BMW models to North America for the first time since 1998, has been conceived to (indirectly) replace the company's long-running naturally aspirated 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder. It's part of an ongoing downsizing program at the center of BMW's EfficientDynamics initiative.

The new four-cylinder follows the blueprint set by BMW's most recent turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder, the N55. It boasts the same 3.5-inch bore center spacing and runs a twin-scroll turbocharger (albeit from Mitsubishi, not Borg Warner), Valvetronic variable valve timing, a Vanos camshaft control system and the latest high-pressure direct-injection system from Bosch. At 317.5 pounds, the engine weighs about 40 pounds less than the old naturally aspirated six-cylinder.

The BMW X1 crossover is the first vehicle to use the N20 turbocharged engine. First impressions reveal the N20 to be up to the job. With peak power arriving 1,600 rpm earlier and peak torque arriving 1,350 rpm earlier than with the six-cylinder, the N20 doesn't have to be worked hard before delivering its best.

In everyday driving, the N20 is noticeably more responsive, although its sound is nowhere near as alluring as that of the engine it replaces. BMW says that will be fixed on certain models, including on an updated Z4 sDrive28i, with the addition of an electronic sound generator.

At 240 hp, the N20 develops 10 hp more than BMW's 3.0-liter inline-six in North America. It is terrifically refined and always feels urgent, with 260 lb-ft of torque on tap at 1,250 rpm. The power delivery is uncannily like that of a modern-day diesel, with particularly strong low-end attributes and impressive flexibility across a wide range of revs.

The six-speed manual version of the new X1 xDrive28i is claimed to reach 62 mph in 6.1 seconds, hit a top speed at 149 mph and boast a 50-mph-to-75-mph fourth-gear split at 6.0 seconds. By comparison, the current X1 xDrive28i sold in Europe, which uses a 258-hp version of BMW's 3.0-liter inline-six, posts figures of 6.8 seconds, 143 mph and 6.1 seconds, respectively.

Power builds in a smooth, free revving fashion without any hint of turbocharger lag. Work the N20 hard, and it revs happily to 7,000 rpm, although like most modern direct-injection units, there's a distinct lack of engine braking on a trailing throttle. The engine's powerful electronics package ensures maximum coasting potential is achieved by allowing the revs to fall away gradually.

Combining the N20 with BMW's familiar EfficientDynamics package-brake-energy regeneration, stop/start and an on-demand water pump--results in a 16 percent improvement over the inline-six in the combined European consumption cycle at 29.8 mpg (U.S.).

So the N20 is pleasing to drive and highly efficient. But, as it stands now, it's not as aurally entertaining nor as engaging as the six-cylinder it will eventually replace. Not yet, anyway. The potential is there, though.

http://www.autoweek.com/article/2011...NEWS/110219868
Attached Images
 
__________________

Greg Lake Oswego, Oregon, USA
2023 M2 Coupe - Brooklyn Grey/Cognac/CF, 6MT; 2020 MB GLE 450
Appreciate 0
      02-25-2011, 12:38 PM   #2
dmboone25
Lieutenant General
dmboone25's Avatar
4971
Rep
10,200
Posts

Drives: 2024 Golf R / 2022 718 Spyder
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Dallas, TX

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2007 E92 328i  [10.00]
2007 328i  [10.00]
Great info--sounds like a winner.

What is a sound generator? Does it artificially replicate the lost sound of the I6?
__________________
Past rides: 2016 981 BGTS, 2020 MINI JCW, 2017 F80, 2015 981 CS, 2014 F22 235, 2011 E82 135, 2008 E82 135, 2007 E92 328, 2007 E92 328 (My lady drives an OG M2. So does my dad)
Appreciate 0
      02-25-2011, 12:38 PM   #3
positiveions
Lieutenant General
positiveions's Avatar
Lebanon
961
Rep
11,722
Posts

Drives: 19 Tacoma, 16 Golf wagon
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Upland, CA

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
interesting. I wish this engine was around during the E30 reign. or can we slap one in an E30 ? Future Project?
Appreciate 0
      02-25-2011, 12:40 PM   #4
rodgerdodger
Second Lieutenant
rodgerdodger's Avatar
United_States
48
Rep
265
Posts

Drives: e92 & F01
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: california

iTrader: (0)

NICE!
Appreciate 0
      02-25-2011, 12:41 PM   #5
GregW / Oregon
Commander-In-Chief
2067
Rep
8,898
Posts

Drives: 2023 M2 Coupe, 2020 GLE 450
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Lake Oswego, OR

iTrader: (3)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by eatrach73 View Post
interesting. I wish this engine was around during the E30 reign. or can we slap one in an E30 ? Future Project?
They can make the engine sound like almost anything with electronics - how about a flat plane crank V12?
__________________

Greg Lake Oswego, Oregon, USA
2023 M2 Coupe - Brooklyn Grey/Cognac/CF, 6MT; 2020 MB GLE 450
Appreciate 0
      02-25-2011, 12:58 PM   #6
PJPHughes
Private First Class
34
Rep
173
Posts

Drives: '10 335d
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Los Angeles, CA

iTrader: (1)

BMW needs to be honest....call it an xDrive20i...that's what it is!! What's with the mislabeling of engine size.

Granted my 335d should be a 330ttd or 330dt2....LOL
Appreciate 0
      02-25-2011, 01:28 PM   #7
Thud
Throbbing Member
42
Rep
1,433
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: Jan 2008

iTrader: (0)

Sound generator? Pretty effing weak if you ask me. I'd rather just hear the motor.

Unless they can make it sound like a jet engine. That would be cool.
__________________
2014 Tesla Model S 85kwh
Previous cars:
2011 335d / Deep Sea Blue / Saddle brown / sport / premium
2008 BMW 135i / 6MT
2002 Z06 Corvette
Appreciate 0
      02-25-2011, 01:35 PM   #8
m-technik
Captain
m-technik's Avatar
36
Rep
797
Posts

Drives: E92 335, E36 Ti, Porsche 986
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by dmboone25 View Post

What is a sound generator? Does it artificially replicate the lost sound of the I6?
I thought they were only gonna use those on ev's to alert people of their presence. Use of them to "better" the sound of an engine is beyond tacky.
__________________
Monaco Blue E92 335 - i-Forged Senekas, KW V2 Coilovers, OEM Bmw Aero lip, AFE DCI, LUX H8
Sublime Green Dodge Challenger 392 w/hellcat package. KW Coilovers, Speedlogix CAI
Jet Black E36 Ti - E36 M3 drivetrain, Full M-Tech, H&R Coilovers, 3.73 LSD, M-Clubsport interior and much more...
Appreciate 0
      02-25-2011, 01:49 PM   #9
marvinp
Captain
United_States
273
Rep
612
Posts

Drives: '18 M3, '09 135i
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: San Francisco Bay Area, CA

iTrader: (0)

Everything about the engine seems good, but electronic sound generator on some models? That's kinda lame.
__________________
2018 F80 M3 Comp, Silverstone Metallic II, w/ black 666M (Ordered: 7/9/2017 | Pickup 9/9/2017)
1998 E36 M3, Cosmos Schwarz Metallic
2009 E82 135i, Montego Blue
Appreciate 0
      02-25-2011, 02:07 PM   #10
r53s65e90
8300
r53s65e90's Avatar
United_States
19
Rep
573
Posts

Drives: r53 s65e90
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: San Jose, CA

iTrader: (0)

Nice engine...

...with ring tones?? Why not make it sound like a V8? Will they offer downloadable engine tones too?

Appreciate 0
      02-25-2011, 02:15 PM   #11
penny
Captain
penny's Avatar
United_States
43
Rep
829
Posts

Drives: '08 135i (sold)
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Las Colinas

iTrader: (2)

__________________
'08 135i.
Appreciate 0
      02-25-2011, 02:24 PM   #12
CaliE90
Colonel
CaliE90's Avatar
353
Rep
2,190
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Worldwide

iTrader: (19)

Garage List
2021 M550xi  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by penny View Post
that sounds like a car thats in a video game
__________________
Retired- '14 F10 535i -- 3 2 1 | '08 E90 335i -- 4 3 2 1 |
Appreciate 0
      02-25-2011, 03:46 PM   #13
Wolf
Captain
Wolf's Avatar
228
Rep
876
Posts

Drives: on hold
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Earth

iTrader: (0)

its obviously a great engine... i mean 4 cylinder is doing 240 hp is great... but i think the more power they give to a smaller engine, the more huge problems the engine will suffer from... and a sound generator is tacky
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmerjph View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by SCOTT26 View Post
BMW have tapped into this by mirroring typical BMW dynamics and steering communication within the new UKL cars.
You mean massive body roll, a steering system that is not connected to the front wheels, and the engine note played through the speaker system?!?!?!?!
Appreciate 0
      02-25-2011, 03:58 PM   #14
vladberca
Major General
vladberca's Avatar
Romania
763
Rep
5,560
Posts

Drives: '18 octavia 2.0 tdi dsg
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Craiova

iTrader: (0)

The sound generator must be optional.... Who would buy one?
Appreciate 0
      02-25-2011, 06:00 PM   #15
Undies
Lieutenant
Undies's Avatar
39
Rep
517
Posts

Drives: 335i
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

imagine the possibilities of all the ricers that mod the sounds generation part of the car lol
Appreciate 0
      02-25-2011, 06:02 PM   #16
just4kickz
boku no namae ha...
United_States
334
Rep
11,025
Posts

Drives: 2006 BS 330i
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: S. Bay Area, CA + Newark, NJ + ChiCity + True Blue

iTrader: (11)

Garage List
2006 E90 330i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by penny View Post
i'm sure they use sound modules for safety as well. those electronic cars or hybrid cars running only on battery don't make very much noise...

but as far as using it on a bmw... really? no thanks. i'd rather know what the car actually sounds like.
__________________
looking for a PreLCI Black Sapphire e90 front bumper without license plate holes

"Akimbo shotguns. Broken wrists anyone? And don't give me that 'it's just a game' bull****. Where the **** are my akimbo interventions then?! One scope on each eye mother****er!!"
Appreciate 0
      02-25-2011, 06:56 PM   #17
takashin
Second Lieutenant
11
Rep
293
Posts

Drives: '17 YMB F82 M4
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston

iTrader: (2)

i wonder what the chipped hp is....
Appreciate 0
      02-25-2011, 10:29 PM   #18
iveman89
First Lieutenant
iveman89's Avatar
United_States
18
Rep
391
Posts

Drives: 2008 M3 E93
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: watsonville, CA

iTrader: (0)

Man If were going to be using improvised exhaust sounds im going with this

Appreciate 0
      02-26-2011, 01:53 AM   #19
marcel b
Lieutenant Colonel
marcel b's Avatar
132
Rep
1,898
Posts

Drives: F31 340i
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Europe

iTrader: (0)

the previous Z4 3.0 had a soundgenerator (non-electronic), so does the Golf GTI. Let's see what they come up with.
Appreciate 0
      02-26-2011, 03:52 AM   #20
Dennis911
Enlisted Member
0
Rep
44
Posts

Drives: e46 320td
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Germany, Bavaria

iTrader: (0)

I stopped reading after "Electronic sound generator". I do not care which cars have/had one, nor do I ever want to see such an artificially improving or generating gadget in any car, let alone a BMW. It is a rediculous and pathetic measure to fake something that just is not there: sound.
The automobile equivalent to stuffing socks in your underwear.
Appreciate 0
      02-26-2011, 11:19 AM   #21
Canexican
Closet N54 Fan
Canexican's Avatar
2
Rep
86
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: Jan 2009

iTrader: (0)

Sound generator? You kidding me? Just throw on an open element air filter and I guarantee you it will sound nice. I guess they feel BMW owners are not progressive whatsoever and will almost certainly want to live in the past with their prior I6's. It's sad that even BMW corporate doesn't think I4T's sound good. Give me a break.

Love that it is going to come in a manual though. At least they got that part right.
__________________
'06 EVO IX MR 10.51@127mph (1.40 60ft)
World's Quickest/Fastest Stock Turbo/Motor Evolution
400whp/397wtq
.
Stock Turbo. Stock Cams. E85 Powered. Tuned by JSDyno.com
Sweet vids of my car kicking ass...
Appreciate 0
      02-26-2011, 11:59 AM   #22
Weaselboy
Major
Weaselboy's Avatar
United_States
72
Rep
1,287
Posts

Drives: 2021 540i
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: California

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Canexican View Post
Sound generator? You kidding me?
I'm having flashbacks of my old 3-speed bicycle from childhood with a playing card clothes pinned near a wheel spoke. Good times.
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:07 PM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST