Today’s Tech Tip: Triple Turbos

I swore off turbo-charged cars after the mid 1980s, I’d had enough of the lag until 3500 RPM and then the boost would come on with a rush (though it was fun), the nasty side affects of a turbo-charged FWD car pulling wildly under power when exiting corners, and the all-around amateur feel of the OEM turbo-chargers on affordable cars of that era. And then the siren song of the N54 bit me . . .
Twenty years after my last turbo-charged car, I bought another. This one equipped with BMW’s N54B30 (‘N’ is for ‘New’, 5 = the cylinder count (no, it’s not 5, but because 8 cylinders is represented by BMW as a ’6′, then 6 cylinders has got to be something else, in this case ’5′), ‘B’ = ‘Benzine’, and ’30′ = displacement in deciliters). It also employs direct gasoline injection and two tiny turbo chargers in parallel.
If there’s one knock on this type of turbo setup, it’s that the twin turbos have to be throttled back at higher engine RPMs in order to avoid spinning themselves to death. Those little turbos have to spin much too quickly at higher engine RPM to produce the same boost pressures they did at lower RPM. And that’s why the torque curve on the N54B30 is a tall mesa between 1400 – 5000 RPM, but falls off the face of the earth afterwards.

BMW TwinPower Turbo shown here

So, how can that be fixed, we’ll take an approach known as compound supercharging. In this case, utilize the two small turbos for low RPM operation and employ a third turbocharger for higher RPM operation. A BMW tri-turbo engine can be done in a couple of ways.
One is to plumb the turbos to operate sequentially. This will run the smaller turbos up to a specific engine RPM, boost level where a transition to the third turbo will take place and the intake track is
supplied from the output of the bigger, third turbocharger at high RPM. The drawback to this system is the Rube Goldberg plumbing necessary to make it work (and the system tweaking needed to make sure the transition is seamless).
Another way of accomplishing it is through staged turbo-charging. This would use two turbos (or a combination thereof) of similar size to provide a multiplying effect on boost. If the first (set of) turbo(s) produces three times compression of inlet air and the second turbo is fed the output of the first stage, and then boosts that three times further, you’ve effectively squared the boost (the turbos deliver a total of nine times the input pressure). The drawbacks of this setup are lag, and an unresponsiveness to fairly rapid RPM changes. This type of turbo-charging was used in piston engined aircraft.
So of the two types of compound turbo-charging the type that makes the most sense for an N54 derivative would be the sequentially engaged turbo-chargers, if they can package the plumbing needed to do it in the existing space.
Now if they just made the next M3 FWD, they’d be able to cram the plumbing for the sequential turbos in the nose with no problem . . .JUST KIDDING!!!!

Video: Crafted at BMW

M stands for Motorsports, BMW’s historical passion. To emphasize the uniqueness of their M products, BMW releases a new video showcasing the M heritage.
BMW M, also known as M-Technik or just “M” (for Motorsport) was initially created to facilitate BMW’s racing program, which was very successful in the 1960s and 1970s. As time passed, BMW M began to supplement BMW’s vehicles portfolio with specially modified higher trim models, for which they are now most known for to the general public. These M-badged cars traditionally include modified engines, transmissions, suspensions, interior trims, aerodynamics, and exterior modifications to set them apart from their counterparts. All M models are tested and tuned at BMW’s private facility at the Nürburgring racing circuit in Germany.

Take a look at the rebirth of an icon and see why M is the most powerful letter.

BMW 328 Hommage – The Official Making-Of Video

BMW and director Philip Hodges take us behind the scene of the new BMW 328 Hommage. Centered around BMW Design and Christopher Wilson’s photoshoot, this glimpse into the makings of a great photo is not to be missed.
This year, the original BMW 328 celebrates its 75th birthday and at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, BMW showcased this new two-seater anniversary model. The 328 Hoomage pays tribute to one of the most successful and best-looking car of the 1930s, the original 328.
With the new 328 Hommage, BMW also showcases some of the technology and materials that we will see in future production vehicles. The major parts of the exterior and interior of the BMW 328 Hommage are made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP), a lightweight material that was used in the series production of CFRP roofs and structural components for the BMW M6 as well as CFRP roofs for the BMW M3.

Report: BMW to bring 4 new models at Frankfurt Auto Show – BMW i3 Debut

German magazine Auto Motor Und Sport reports that BMW will take on the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show with four new models. On their home turf, the Munich-based automaker will introduce to the public the 2012 BMW M5 which is set for a media debut on June 21st.
The new 2012 BMW 1 Series Hatchback, scheduled for launch in two weeks, will also make its public debut at the German car show. Launched first in three and five-door variants, the F20 1 Series delivers a bolder exterior design, a revamped cabin and new engine offerings.
To sustain their lightweight philosophy, BMW will introduce the M3 EVO, the E90 sedan that makes extensive use of carbon fiber and other lightweight materials. The E90 M3 EVO will be unveiled on June 23rd at the M Festival. The power output will be between the “regular” M3 and the M3 GTS, so somewhere between 420 and 450 horsepower.

The star of the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show will be the BMW i3 Concept, a preview of BMW’s first mass-production electric vehicle that comes to market in 2013. A fleet of i3 models will be joining the BMW official cars at the 2012 London Olympics.
The 2013 BMW i3 is slated to feature a 150 PS (110 kW / 148 bhp) electric motor that enables the car to hit a top speed of 160 km/h (100 mph) and travel approximately 257 km (160 miles) on a single charge.
Update: The BMW 5 Series Active Hybrid will be introduced as well.

Renderings: BMW 4 Series Coupe and Convertible

Along with the first reports on a future BMW 4 Series, here come the first renderings of the rumored new 4 Series family.
Similar to the 6 Series offerings, the 4er models will fit between the 3 and 5 Series and will feature a coupe-like look. By offering a higher positioned coupe, BMW will compete on the market with Audi and Mercedes, which is said to introduce a smaller SLS model.
The new 4 Series will also allow BMW to price the vehicle slightly higher, at a premium price. The overall dynamic design would appeal to a younger demographic as well and will be a viable alternative to the high-end 6 Series Coupe.

Beside the coupe and convertible variants, a four-dour coupe type of vehicle might be introduced as well. The 4 Series Gran Coupe is said to compete with the A5 Sportback and it will feature a coupe-like roof line.
The F35 4 Series Gran Coupe is said to launch in 2015, while the F33 and F34 3er Coupe and Convertible will come to market in 2013.

Handsfree Driving – BMW’s 330i autonomous Track Trainer

A few selected journalists were invited at Laguna Seca to “try on” the BMW 330i Track Trainer. You might remember the Track Trainer from an episode of Top Gear, where Jeremy Clarkson sat in the autonomous 330i.
Coming directly from Nürburgring, the BMW 330i Track Trainer made its North American appearance. The autonomous car is built on the standard production of the 330i model, but the software underlying the vehicle is quite special. Utilizing a combination of built-in GPS, a signal booster and accompanying repeater (increasing bandwidth and accuracy down to the centimeter), a custom map of the track and a trained driver to show it the optimum racing line, the Track Trainer learns the course and can show budding racers how to do it right.


The software is made out of complex algorithm to determine theoretical grip, while wheel speed and spin sensors send data to the computers to interpret the exact amount of suspension load, power delivery and braking force necessary to keep it out of the weeds. A driver feedback display mounted on the center console shows drivers how close the car is to the optimal line while in control.
It its lifetime, the 330i Track Trainer has already accumulated 12,000 miles of testing.
According to Autoblog, average lap times at Laguna Seca with the system set between 85- and 95-percent ran in the low two-minute range. The car was also running at Hockenheim and the notorious Nordschleife. It is limited only to tracks that have been programmed into it.
In development since 2006, BMW began to show off this tech to the board and the press, finally bringing it to the Nordschleife in 2009 packing a new camera system that measured the exact width of the track and inputted the data into a reconfigured autonomous driving program.

Yet Another Rumor: BMW M-One – The Supercar We Dream About

Ready for another rumor? The restless Scott27 stirs up more controversy on the interwebs. According to the BMW insider, the designers are toying with the idea of a new M supercar, a true successor to the iconic M1. “The strategy has just begun and where it is at is a few sketches by the design department and ideas conjured around a conference table. We have no production plans yet,” said the insider.

The supercar is currently dubbed M-One because it could be the first of its kind in the new generation of BMW vehicles.  Scott27 remains vague about other details, but the use of CFRP is mentioned, new materials and parts that BMW is expected to use in their upcoming vehicles.The M1 Hommage mention is present as always with new speculations around a BMW supercar.



BMW M1 Hommage featured here


The rumor says an internal design sketch was created, a mixture of Vision ConnectedDrive and the upcoming 2014, but the drawing serves an unknown purpose.
“The sketch was developed entirely for a different purpose. But the idea did catch attention and since BMW did not focus on the design angle for the Connected Drive concept car they were taken aback when reaction to the car was very well received. But since the sketch caught senior attention they have added a roof and a higher windscreen to judge reaction and you could see the return of the concept this time as a coupe.  But it could form the car/s in question because of its bloodline to the original and hommage of the M1.”

Fingers-crossed BMW would build the car, when would it hit the road? “If greenlit, it will be after 2015″, says the source.

Our advice, take this rumor with a big grain of salt. In the past years, there have been extensive conversations and internal projects around a BMW supercar, but the company’s sustainable plans seem to rely on efficiency and future mobility, rather than an Audi R8 fighter.

Would You Buy A Z4 Coupe?

Coupes have always had an important role in the history of BMW over the last 8 decades. It started with the 328 Karmann Coupe in pre-World War II Europe. The big coupe won the 1940 Mille Miglia and with its success would fall under the curtain of war spreading across Germany and the rest of Europe.
About 3 decades on an the world would be lucky enough to meet the BMW E9 coupe – which would go on to be a huge success in the European touring car series’, the 12 Hours of Sebring, and solidify BMW’s position as a genuine maker of modern, high performance coupes. The success of the roadgoing 3.0CSi of the early 1970′s was followed up by the more expensive, more luxurious and higher performing original E24 6 Series which would receive only minor cosmetic changes and a handful of engine upgrades over its 13 year production life culminating in the ultimate iteration with the first M6 in the history of BMW – powered by the venerable straight-six M88 engine.
The start of the 1990′s brought BMW’s biggest step forward in it’s big two door via the 8 Series. At its release in 1991, the 850i was the most expensive and most technically advanced vehicle in the history of the black, blue and white badge. In European spec, the 8 Series even came with an early version of the modern ASR system found on the F01 7 Series – allowing the driver to provide a few degrees of steering input to the rear wheels for improved handling at speed. Additionally, the variety of engines helped the 8 Series reach wider appeal with the M62 V8 engine of the 840i and the M70 V12 of the 850i.

With the demise of the ultra BMW coupe in the late 1990′s – many would think that it would not be until 2004 when the next 6 Series was released before BMW had another true coupe in the line-up.  However, that would be an incorrect statement. During BMW’s absence from the big coupe market the role was supplanted by the tiny but quite wide E36 M Coupe based upon original Z3 Coupe. With a petite, lithe figure from head-on – the car swelled to a gigantic rear with blistered wheel arches and a fat, quad exhaust. Perhaps the Kim Kardashian of the late 90′s car market?
Due to it’s proportions and roofline , the Z3-based M Coupe was nicknamed the “Clown Shoe” and unlike a Kardashian, the original M Coupe had gobs of talent with its European-spec S50B32 engine pumping out 321 German horsies. In 2001, with the introduction of the E46 M3, the little 3 door coupe reached full potential with the S54B32 tucked under the hood for 333HP on tap. To manage the power, a limited slip differential was added over the standard Z3 coupe. All in, the Z3 M Coupe was one of the most underrated German sports cars of the late 1990′s and early 2000′s and ironically, a car manufactured by engineers in their off-time with the intent of improving the torsional rigidity and overall performance of the original Z3 Convertible. By keeping the production and retooling costs to a minimum, the M Coupe was able to be brought to market – hence the sharing of many parts from the Z3 Convertible.
The original Z3 and M Coupe did not find a substantial market as this sort of shooting brake design was a far cry from what many expected from a BMW. However, as production wound down in 2002 – the car would quickly reach near-legend status with enthusiasts and the fastest S54-powered Coupes began fetching higher prices in the user car market.

Given the success of the original Z3 convertible, the Z4 replaced it in 2003 though the fate of the coupe version was yet to be determined. By 2005, a concept previewing the Z4 Coupe was released – giving enthusiasts hope for a new, lightweight baby BMW performance car. What followed did not disappoint – the Z4-based M Coupe took on the same S54 powerplant but adopted a much more elegant and sleek body, forgoing the enormous rump in favor of a more supple, tapered tail. The standard 3.0Si Coupe was a looker too and definitely no slouch with its 3.0L N52 engine with Valvetronic and 258 HP. However, as the global economy began to slow, the Z4 Coupe and M Coupe began to experience sales declines with incentives and “cash-in-trunk” deals being offered on the car just prior to the end of production. Despite the slowdown in sales, the performance and design of the second BMW shooting brake cannot be downplayed as one of the most fun and sexy BMW’s on sale in the last decade.
That said, will the Germans see it fit to grace the world with another small BMW coupe? We have the big 6 again in the F13 6 Series – but nothing to satisfy the lighter, smaller class of cars where performance isn’t entirely compromised by luxury. Yes, the 1 M Coupe satisfies that spot to a degree – but it does not have the sex appeal of a long-nosed sports car with a short wheel base and two kidney grills at the front. Frankly, the idea of either a coupe version of the Z4 sdrive35is or even an M-powered coupe pounding around with a S65 V8 under the hood – not too far off from a roadgoing Z4 GT3 perhaps?

The current Z4 sDrive35is has had its share of problems on the market given the type of incentives BMW is offering. Had BMW forgone the current Z4is and put an M-derived Z4 in its place – would sales perhaps be higher by better catering to the enthusiast market?
Included here are a few renderings from a post we had back in the fall hypothesizing what a Z4 Coupe could look like. It’s gorgeous and that’s not surprising – the current E89 Z4 Convertible is a gorgeous car too. Its wonderful with the long, sloping nose gliding back to the subtle yet still pronounced hips. If the E89 is such a big improvement and less polarizing over the E85 in droptop form – then how could an E89 coupe possibly be wrong?

BMW 3 Series Sedan Production end in October 2011

BMW announced today that production for the BMW 3 Series Sedan ends in October 2011. The only 3er diesel available in the U.S., the 335d, will also production in August.

BMW is preparing for the launch of the new F30 3 Series Sedan which goes on sale in Spring 2012. The new 3 Series is built on a new modular platform and design wise, it returns to the “slimmer look”, dynamic lines with squat proportions and short rear overhangs.

The typical proportions of a 3 Series remain, but the exterior design is more toned and muscular, bringing some the aggressiveness and design lines seen in the recent models, including the F10 5 Series. An expected move seen across the new BMW design language.



BMW is getting back to basics with clean uncluttered shapes, plus lower and wider kidney grille openings. The sedan model has a longer wheelbase, at least 1.5″ longer than the current generation. The F30 will sport a “pushing nose”, somewhat similar to the E89 Z4 front-end.
BMW will live under the umbrella of EfficientDynamics, and technologies like aerodynamically designed wheels, solar roof panel for extra energy efficiency in the use of interior controls, brake energy regeneration , stop-start technology, and pre-heating technology for the engine, gearbox and differential, will be incorporated into the new model.
Next generation 3-series engine options will include a full range of turbo and naturally aspirated 6-cylinder motors, 4-cylinder motors, and possibly even a new 3-cylinder motor.

The all-star BMW M3 will continue to sport the aggressive and super sporty bodystyle we have seen in the past. The new M3 will also feature a twin-turbo six-cylinder engine producing somewhere around 450 horsepower.

Dyno-Tested: 2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupe – 331whp/362rwtq 400 hp at crank

InsideLine dyno-tested the new 2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupe. Here is a video and excerpt from their report:

“Equipped with the company’s N54 twin-turbo 3.0-liter direct injected inline-6, the 1 Series M Coupe is rated by the factory (that is, at the flywheel) at 335 hp at 5,800 rpm and 332 lb-ft from 1,500-4,500 rpm.

Peak torque rises to 370 lb-ft during an overboost period, the command for which is not driver-activated. That little ”M” button on the steering wheel sharpens the throttle response, and nothing more.

We’ll assume the overboost function was live because, well, just have a look below at the result from the Dynojet chassis dyno:



Whoa! Now that’s some torque. From 2,500-4,500 rpm, there’s more than 350 lb-ft on tap, and then it rolls off linearly between 5,100 and 6,700 rpm. It’s pretty much done at that point, and the fuel cut arrives at 7,000 rpm. Peak power of 331 hp arrives at 5,150 rpm.
Torque peaks at 362 lb-ft and hits early in the rev range. As explained in a previous post, it’s nigh unto impossible to replicate on a chassis dyno the drawn-with-a-laser-level torque plateaus that manufacturers provide for their turbo cars.
While BMW says it reaches peak torque at 1,500 rpm, you’ll never achieve that result in the real world unless you wood it at 1,000 rpm in 5th or 6th while climbing a hill. No matter, since only a complete toolshed would drive an M car — or any car — that way. Downshifting. Learn it.”

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Fiat pops a top, gas prices drop, and BMW 5 Series wagon buyers don't buy GTs [The Morning Shift]

This is the Morning Shift , our one-stop daily roundup of all the auto news that's actually important - all in one place at 9:00 AM.

BMW F10 M5 Engine and Interior Images

New photos of the upcoming 2012 BMW M5 surface on the internet. The 4.4 liter twin-turbo V8 with BMW M TwinPower technology will be coupled to the 7-speed M DCT Drivelogic double-clutch gearbox but details on output have still not been confirmed.

Emirates opens door for further tourism and trade with Germany

United Arab Emirates: 1 hour, 28 minutes ago Emirates is responding to strong passenger demand in Germany by launching extra frequencies to Frankfurt and upgrading one of its Munich flights to an A380 superjumbo.

C Coupe roars amg

Mercedes has come out with a credible rival for the Audi RS5 and BMW M3 Coupe. The storied history of famous AMG coupes began in the '80s with the 450SLC AMG, 280CE 5.0 AMG, 500SEC 32V AMG and the 300CE 6.0 The Hammer.

1988 BMW M3 - Seeing Red

Were there an official sports car hall of fame, a few cars from history would be undisputed dead locks for induction.

BMW's desperation

WHAT'S NEW? The X1 becomes the fifth BMW model to be assembled in Thailand. But instead of getting the brilliant 177hp 2.0-litre diesel-turbo engine found in the imported xDrive20d, the sDrive18i receives a 150hp 2.0-litre petrol non-turbo version.

Editorial: Gasoline

With the approach of Memorial Day weekend, the traditional kickoff of the vacation driving season, most motorists are preoccupied with the cost of gasoline, up 23 percent since the start of the year and likely to climb further over the summer.

Is a classic car right for me?

Your Host is mr_shiftright #27 of 36 Re: The search continues...with other options? [Mr_Shiftright] by hpmctorque Jan 25, 2011 Replying to: Mr_Shiftright "...a BMW 735i from the late 80s would be a nice car to own---those were good cars..." But wouldn't maintenance and repair costs offset any mileage advantage over an American land yacht by a wide ...

BMW 328 Hommage Concept: 2011 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este

It was at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este in Italy three years ago that BMW unveiled the striking M1 Hommage Concept , and at the same event in 2011 the German automaker is paying tribute to another of its past greats, the legendary 328 sports car of the 1930s.

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