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| “Achieves
the holy grail of modern motoring: economical, environmental and
desirable”
Ken Gibson, The Sun
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As well as BMW, the winner here was
automotive innovation. The top six engines in this category
included two twin-turbos (one petrol, one diesel), a V10 with
580bhp, the world’s first diesel boxer engine, and a fresh
version of Volkswagen’s TSI.
The Bavarian auto manufacturer triumphed with what it claims
is the world’s most powerful four-cylinder diesel engine.
The key advantages
of the 1,995cc over its predecessor are threefold and form the
basis of BMW’s ‘efficient dynamics’ mantra:
increased overall power, lower weight, and a reduction in emissions.
Helping to achieve these goals
are a number of technologies
that first appeared on this 2-litre
engine’s bigger brother, the 272bhp twin-turbo 3-litre.
These include
an all-aluminium crankcase,
third-generation common-rail fuel injectors, and a state-of-the-art
diesel particulate filter. Like the
3-litre, this engine, codenamed
N47D, sports both a large and small exhaust gas turbocharger,
the latter operating at lower engine speeds, the bigger one
being called upon when extra power is required.
Weight savings have been made largely thanks to a new engine
design that helped to cut 17kg from the outgoing version. Arguably
the biggest change was made to the intake ducts, which now have
a larger diameter to aid the gas charge cycle, and are placed
upright, fitting straight into the combustion chambers. The
shape of said chambers has been refined, helping to realise
a 16:1 compression ratio.
In a battle of pure performance versus technical innovation,
the oil-burner kept the BMW M3’s V8 off the top, and also
managed to receive credit from the predominantly
diesel-free North American market. Automobile magazine’s
Marc Noordeloos’ view was typical of the nine judges from
the region that awarded points: “More than 100bhp per
litre from a diesel? Forget the gasoline engine in your 1- or
3-Series – this is the powerplant to get.” |
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points |
| 1. BMW Diesel 2-litre Twin Turbo (123d) |
257 |
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| 2. BMW 4-litre V8 (M3) |
218 |
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| 3. Subaru Diesel 2-litre flat four Turbo (Outback) |
201 |
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| 4. Audi 5-litre V10 (RS6) |
166 |
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| 5. Nissan 3.8-litre Twin Turbo (GT-R) |
147 |
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| 6. Volkswagen 1.4-litre TSI (Audi A3, Seat
Leon, Altea,
VW Golf, Eos, Jetta, Passat) |
115 |
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