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BMW has unveiled two new turbocharged straight-six engines that it expects to gradually replace V8 engines for most of its customers. It has also launched a new eight-speed automatic transmission, which also promises improved economy.

The 3.0-litre petrol petrol unit is dubbed the TwinPower turbo and is the first BMW unit to combine the familiar Valvetronic variable valve management (although the system has been newly downsized) with high-pressure fuel injection and turbocharging.

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Now this is where BMW really does know what it is doing. Unlike their styling dept.

Autocar:

Despite this, the new petrol engine is good for just 209g/km of Co2 and 26.4mpg.

You have made a mistake. 209g of CO2 does not equate to 26.4mpg. It equates to around 32.5-33mpg.

300+ bhp and 26mpg would not be remarkable, 306 bhp/300 lb.ft and 33mpg is.

Autocar:

The new flagship 3.0-litre turbodiesel (today’s engine is currently fitted to around 150,000 BMWs each year) has also been updated to provide 306bhp (up seven per cent over the current engine) and 442lb ft (up three per cent). It also delivers 100.5bhp per litre.

It does this while returning an average 34mpg a remarkable 23 per cent improvement over the current engine.

sorry, again a mistake. The current engine in the 535d does 42mpg(6.7l/100km). So one would expect the new engine in a Five series vehicle platform with a 23% improvement to achieve 50mpg plus.

Excellent move - although the V8s, V12s and diesels are perfectly fine, straight six petrols are what a BMW is all about really.

Jag take note - this is where you come from too!

roadtester:

Excellent move - although the V8s, V12s and diesels are perfectly fine, straight six petrols are what a BMW is all about really.

Jag take note - this is where you come from too

Totally agree with you.

Quattro369:

Now this is where BMW really does know what it is doing. Unlike their styling dept.

How true!! I like the 6 seires! but everything else is questionable. I mean, the 1 series, what's that all about.

 

 

 a 3.0 engine with 100.5bhp/litre does not make 306bhp!

maybe another PS vs bhp issue?

 

 

diesel sounds good lets hope it is also smooth like the Jag XF engine can't see the point in a 6 cylinder petrol if you can afford it have a v8 petrol it will always sound better and have more torque.otherwise have a diesel for economy and better residuals.

roadtester:

straight six petrols are what a BMW is all about really.

Jag take note - this is where you come from too!

I totally agree, I was under the impression the the new inline 6 Volvo engine was originally destined for Jaguar and Landrover, but since the sale I dont think this will now happen which is a pity and all mention of it seems to have been dropped

Doesn't the existing 3.0-litre petrol twin-turbo unit already dispose of 302bhp and 295lb-ft of torque? Then how can it be new?...

As a matter of fact the updated version of this engine produces 326bhp and 332lb-ft of torque in the new 740i that replaces the outgoing 306bhp V8. So unless I'm missing something...