BMW Engine Information

BMW AG has been producing high quality and high-performance engines since its founding in 1916. The company perfected its power plants first by manufacturing aircraft engines during World War I and later for motorcycles. The automaker's current crop of high-end engines includes the Twin-Turbo gasoline and diesel models. It also manufactures engines for the compact MINI and ultra-luxury Rolls-Royce.

1 Series Engines

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  The 1 Series compact sports car, introduced in 2004, came with up to 11 different types of engines. Its initial engine was the 1.6-liter inline 4-cylinder generating 113 horsepower to reach a top speed of 120 mph. In 2009, a 2-liter model capable of hitting 127 mph with 127 horsepower was offered. A 5-speed manual transmission allowed the 1 Series 2-liter to clock 0-62 mph in 9.9 seconds. A 3-liter inline 6 providing 302 horsepower with a manual transmission allowed the car hit 0-62 mph in 4.8 seconds with a top speed of 155.3 mph.

3 Series

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  The venerable 3 Series entry-level luxury models, including the station wagon and cabriolet, had no less than 25 gas and diesel engine options, starting with the 316i's gas-powered 1.6-liter, 114-horsepower inline 4. The straight 6 3-liter versions showed up in the 325i in 2007. In 2007, the 335i was equipped with the 3-liter 300-horsepower Twin-Turbo. No Twin-Turbo diesels were offered in the 3 Series.

V-8

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  The BMW 6 Series is equipped with the M62 V-8 power plant, which is made of aluminum alloy and is fuel injected. The basic 3.5-liter, 232-horsepower V-8 was introduced in 1996 with power boosted to 245 horsepower two years later. A 394-horsepower 4.9-liter version appeared in 1998 and a more efficient 4.6-liter model generating 342 horsepower arrived in 2001.

V-10

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  BMW's V-10 is a 40-valve dual overhead cam-driven engine inspired by the company's Formula I racing team. It's found in 5 Series and the high-performance 6 Series BMWs. The 5-liter, 507 horsepower cast aluminum engine generates 384 foot-pounds of torque at 6100 rpm thanks to its high compression ratio of 12:1.

V-12

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  Engine displacements for the large luxury flagship 7 Series vehicles came in 3, 4.4 and 6 liters. The 6-liter V-12 with automatic transmission offered in the 2010 BMW 760Li generates 537 horsepower, hitting 0-62 mph in 4.6 seconds.

Z4 Power

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  The Z4 coupé and roadster began production for the 2009 model year. It was equipped with the 2.2-, 2.5-, 3- and 3.2-liter inline 6 cylinder engines The most popular package came with the 3.2-liter straight-6 generating 338 horsepower, 269 foot-pounds of torque and a 0-62 mph running time of 5 seconds and 155 mph top speed.