The launch of the new 2.0 liter four-cylinder TwinPower engine was just the kickoff for a new family of BMW engines. Most of the engines bachelor today in the lineup will be redesigned so they can share far more parts.

Utilizing a new common 500cc per cylinder base of operations blueprint which also uses Directly-Injection and Turbocharging, the new family unit of engines are more efficient and align with the EfficientDynamics strategy, and will range from three to half-dozen-cylinder capacity.

Fuel intake and exhaust systems volition share components based on the fuel type, gasoline or diesel. Mounting points for the powertrains will too exist standardized for both transverse and longitudinal installations.

P900744121 655x436 For Automotive News, Harald Unger, head of evolution of BMW inline engines, "Our goal is to accept sixty percent of components shared between engines based on fuel type, and xl percent commonality between gasoline and diesel engines." Currently, some of BMW'southward engines are derived from other engines but few parts are shared.

Aforementioned Automotive News says that BMW's engine program could mean a consolidation of suppliers. For example, Unger said two companies, Schaeffler Group and Hydraulik-Ring, supply variable valve timing mechanisms for gasoline four- and six-cylinder engines. In the future there may be just ane, a measure that could go along costs in identify past giving BMW more leverage over the supplier. In 2010, BMW produced more than 1.four million 4- and six-cylinder engines.

"We have set the engineering science pattern for components, but it is upwards to purchasing to determine which and how many suppliers volition be awarded the business," Unger says.

Future Twin-Power Turbo diesel fuel engines of three, four and six cylinders will share fuel injectors, turbochargers, pistons, connecting rods, chain camshaft drives and noise-suppression covers. Additionally, Twin-Power Turbo engines will be used in hybrid powertrains. These applications explain the demand for a ane.5-liter three-cylinder engine rumored to be available in the 2014 BMW i8.

But BMW enthusiasts remain an of import demographic for BMW and Auto News confirms that the Twin-Power Turbo plan will not influence V8, V10, and V12 engine programs.

Video: BMW N20 Engine Animation

[Source: AutoNews ]