Words by Abhishek Wairagade
BMW has announced at the 7th International Vienna Motor Symposium, a brand new quad-turbo 3.0-litre engine for the 7 Series range. The first car to have it installed will be badged as the 750d xDrive.
The new engine combines two low-pressure and two high pressure turbochargers, churning out 394bhp and 760Nm of torque. BMW claims that the new unit will be more efficient than the old twin-turbo engine by 5 per cent. This engine is expected to power the 2017 BMW 5-Series as well.
This new quad-turbo engine will be paired with the ubiquitous ZF 8-speed auto-transmission. The 750d xDrive is said to achieve a 0-100kmph time of 4.5 seconds and go all the way to a top speed limited at 250 kmph. BMW says, the engine has the potential to develop even higher torque figures but the gearbox limits it to what it can handle.
The implementation of four turbochargers allows the 3.0 litre diesel unit to have strong low down pressure thanks to the two low-pressure turbos, but also high-end power, something diesels in general lack as all the torque is spent earlier in the rev range. Four turbos should also in theory reduce lag and give more linear acceleration than single or twin-turbo setups.