How BMW Engine Technology Has Evolved Over The Years
BMW is a well-known brand for its high-performance engines, but how did it get there? Here is a brief overview of the history and evolution of BMW engine technology, from its origins in aircraft engines to its current innovations in electric and hybrid powertrains.
The first BMW engine: the IIIa aircraft engine (1917)
BMW stands for Bayerische Motoren Werke, or Bavarian Engine Works, and it was founded in 1917 as a manufacturer of aircraft engines. The first engine produced by BMW was the IIIa, a water-cooled inline-six engine with a carburetor that could deliver 185 hp. The IIIa had a sophisticated design that prevented loss of performance at high altitudes, and it was used by several German fighter planes during World War I. In 1919, BMW set an unofficial altitude record of 9,760 meters with the enhanced Motor IV model .
The first BMW motorcycle engine: the R 5 boxer engine (1936)
After World War I, BMW had to stop producing aircraft engines due to the Treaty of Versailles, so it switched to making motorcycle engines, farm equipment, household items and railway brakes. The first motorcycle produced by BMW was the R 32 in 1923, which featured a flat-twin boxer engine that became a signature feature of BMW motorcycles. The R 5, introduced in 1936, was a milestone in motorcycle engineering, as it had a 500 cc boxer engine with 24 hp and a valve control via two camshafts .
The first BMW car engine: the M78 straight-six engine (1933)
BMW entered the car market in 1928 by acquiring the Fahrzeugfabrik Eisenach, which produced the Dixi car based on the Austin 7. The first car to bear the BMW name was the 3/15, which used a four-cylinder engine from Austin. In 1933, BMW developed its own car engine, the M78, a straight-six engine with 1.2 liters of displacement and 30 hp. The M78 was used in the BMW 303, the first car to feature the kidney-shaped radiator grille that became another trademark of BMW .
The first BMW turbocharged engine: the M12/13 Formula One engine (1982)
BMW has a long history of involvement in motorsports, especially in Formula One, touring cars and endurance racing. One of the most successful engines that BMW developed for Formula One was the M12/13, a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four engine that could produce up to 1,400 hp in qualifying mode. The M12/13 powered the Brabham BT52 car driven by Nelson Piquet, who won the 1983 Formula One World Championship with three victories and nine podiums .
The first BMW V12 engine: the S70 McLaren F1 engine (1993)
BMW has also produced some impressive V12 engines for road cars, such as the M70 used in the BMW 750i and 850i models in the late 1980s and early 1990s. However, the most remarkable V12 engine that BMW ever made was the S70, a custom-built engine for the McLaren F1 supercar. The S70 was a 6.0-liter naturally aspirated engine that delivered 627 hp and enabled the McLaren F1 to reach a top speed of 386 km/h (240 mph), making it the fastest production car in the world at that time .
The first BMW diesel engine: the M21 inline-six engine (1983)
BMW was one of the pioneers of diesel technology in passenger cars, as it introduced its first diesel engine, the M21, in 1983. The M21 was an inline-six engine with a displacement of 2.4 liters and a power output of 86 hp. It was equipped with a Bosch injection pump and a Garret turbocharger, and it offered high fuel efficiency and low emissions. The M21 was used in several models such as the BMW 524td and the BMW E28 .
The first BMW hybrid engine: the ActiveHybrid X6 powertrain (2009)
BMW has also been experimenting with hybrid technology since the late 1990s, when it developed a concept car called the Z22 that featured an electric motor and a hydrogen fuel cell. In 2009, BMW launched its first production hybrid model, the ActiveHybrid X6, which combined a twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine with two electric motors and a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. The ActiveHybrid X6 had a total system output of 485 hp and could run on electric power alone for up to 2.5 km (1.6 miles) .
The first BMW electric engine: the i3 powertrain (2013)
BMW has also been a leader in electric mobility, as it created a sub-brand called BMW i in 2011 to focus on developing electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The first model to be launched under the BMW i brand was the i3, a compact hatchback that featured an electric motor with 170 hp and a lithium-ion battery pack with a range of 130 to 160 km (80 to 100 miles). The i3 also offered an optional range extender, a small petrol engine that could charge the battery and extend the range by another 150 km (93 miles) .
The most powerful BMW engine: the S63 twin-turbocharged V8 engine (2019)
BMW has always been known for its high-performance engines, especially those developed by its motorsport division, BMW M. One of the most powerful engines that BMW M has ever created is the S63, a twin-turbocharged V8 engine with a displacement of 4.4 liters and a power output of 625 hp. The S63 is used in several models such as the BMW M5 Competition, the BMW M8 Competition and the BMW X5 M Competition, and it can propel these cars from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than four seconds .
The most innovative BMW engine: the B38 inline-three engine (2013)
BMW has also been innovative in creating engines that are both efficient and powerful, such as the B38, an inline-three engine with a displacement of 1.2 to 1.5 liters and a power output of 75 to 231 hp. The B38 is part of a modular family of engines that share the same architecture and components, but vary in the number of cylinders and turbochargers. The B38 features technologies such as direct injection, variable valve timing and variable valve lift, and it is used in several models such as the BMW i8, the BMW 218i and the Mini Cooper .
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How has BMW’s engine technology improved fuel efficiency over the years?
BMW achieved improved fuel efficiency through advancements such as direct fuel injection, lightweight materials, and efficient aerodynamics, reducing overall vehicle weight and optimizing engine performance.
What is Valvetronic technology, and how does it enhance engine performance?
Valvetronic technology replaces traditional throttle mechanisms, allowing precise control of the intake valves’ lift. This optimization improves fuel efficiency and power delivery, enhancing overall engine performance.
Is BMW planning to expand its electric vehicle lineup further?
Yes, BMW has ambitious plans for expanding its electric vehicle lineup, focusing on developing new electric models and enhancing existing ones to meet the growing demand for sustainable transportation.
Are BMW engines still known for their high-revving nature and smooth power delivery?
Absolutely. BMW’s M Division continues to produce engines with high-revving characteristics, delivering smooth power delivery and an exhilarating driving experience, ensuring the brand’s legacy of performance excellence.
How does BMW balance performance and environmental concerns in its engine designs?
BMW achieves this balance through a combination of advanced engineering techniques, hybridization, and electrification. By integrating electric motors and optimizing combustion engines, BMW creates powerful yet environmentally conscious vehicles.