BMW Valvetronic and TwinPower Turbo Overview

[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

BMW Valvetronic and TwinPower Turbo Overview

39
COMMENTS

Tweet

As announced yesterday, BMW's N20, N54, S65, N18 engines have each picked a best engine award at the 2012 International Engine of the Year Awards [Full Award Results].

Here's a brief overview of two of the technologies featured in many of the BMW engines available today - TwinPower Turbo and VALVETRONIC (variable valve lift) technology. Valvetronic was first introduced by BMW on the 316ti compact in 2001, and has since often been coupled with BMW's double-VANOS.

Until 2012, no M model used Valvetronic, but instead continued to feature multiple throttle-bodied designs. The 2012 F10 M5 with its S63Tu engine (more details 1, details 2) is the first M model engine to utilize Valvetronic technology in lieu of the individual throttles found on its equivalents in the BMW X5 M and X6 M. The 2013 BMW 650i Gran Coupe's updated N63Tu engine (good for a +45hp bump over the N63 engine) will also add Valvetronic technology. See the text below for more Valvetronic information.

More Valvetronic Details:

It typically works in conjunction with the independent Double VANOS system that continuously varies the timing (on both intake and exhaust camshafts). Valvetronic-equipped engines rely on the amount of valve lift for load control, rather than a butterfly valve in the intake tract. In other words, in normal driving, the "gas pedal" controls the Valvetronic hardware rather than the throttle plate.

Cylinder heads with Valvetronic use an extra set of rocker arms, called intermediate arms (lift scaler), positioned between the valve stem and the camshaft. These intermediate arms are able to pivot on a central point, by means of an extra, electronically actuated camshaft. This movement alone, without any movement of the intake camshaft, can vary the intake valves' lift from fully open, or maximum power, to almost closed, or idle.

Because the intake valves lift now have the ability to move from almost closed to fully open positions, and everywhere in between, the primary means of controlling engine output is transferred from the throttle plate to the intake valvetrain. By shortening the duration of the intake instead of throttling, pumping losses are reduced and fuel economy is improved. By reducing the valve lift, asymmetrically on 4-valve engines, swirl is generated in the cylinder, leading to a better air/fuel mixture. By avoiding a large air reservoir between the throttle and the engine responsiveness can be improved, though it depends on the speed of the electric motor actuating the second camshaft.

However, the throttle plate is not removed, but rather defaults to a fully open position once the engine is running. The throttle will partially close when the engine is first started, to create the initial vacuum needed for certain engine functions, such as emissions control. Once the engine reaches operating speed, a vacuum pump run off the passenger side exhaust camshaft (on the N62 V8, exhaust cam on the N52/K) provides a vacuum source, much as a diesel engine would, and the throttle plate once again goes to the fully open position.

The throttle plate also doubles as an emergency backup, should the Valvetronic system fail. In this case, the engine would enter a "limp home" program, and engine speed would once again be controlled by the throttle plate.

Animations Featuring BMW TwinPower Turbo 6, 4, 3-cylinder Motors



BMW N20 Turbo 4 Cylinder Engine

Share this story

OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT LIKE

BMW Designworks USA and ADAIA Collaborate to Design Android Handset

Haptics Engineering: the Technology Behind How a BMW Feels

Coming in Summer: 8 Speed Auto Launch Control, New xDrive Models, Enhanced ConnectedDrive, and More

[SleepyE90]

I'm gonna miss the S65

[Bimmer Nerd]

Since N20 was the replacement for the 6 cylinder engines which went into the base model BMW's (x25/x28/x30). Which model(s) is the 3 cylinder engine going to be going into ? Only cars sold in europe or in the US as well ?

[Ahmadhosmanbmw335i]

Why do they call it a twin power turbo when it's not a twin turbo

[Gnip Gnop]

Originally Posted by Ahmadhosmanbmw335i

Why do they call it a twin power turbo when it's not a twin turbo

I think because it is a twin scroll turbo.

[csween86]

Originally Posted by Ahmadhosmanbmw335i

Why do they call it a twin power turbo when it's not a twin turbo

It's marketing bro. For example bmw going to the n55 over the n54 in the 35i ranges....think about someone stuck between buying a 135i n55 or n54, "isn't twin turbo better?". The n55 is cheaper, lighter, easier to build, more fuel efficient than the n54, and puts out just about the same power(stock out of the factory that is/exclude is models and the 1m), that's why it took over. I assume BMW thinks people will think one less turbo(the n55) means less performance out of the factory, so they market the name "twin power" to assure people the n55 still has the performance of the old "twin turbo" n54 in the 135i. Their not calling it a twin turbo, but rather suggesting it performs as if it were one. That's just my opinion of it, not trying to sound like a know it all lol, I could be way off. And please people don't start a n54 is better than n55 thing after this comment. Yes the n54 has more tuning potential but the n55 is cheaper,lighter,more fuel efficient and still holds the 300/300 numbers so why would bmw keep dropping the more expensive n54 into the 35i range when they can just put the n55. BMW only cares about the image of their engines out of the factory and not so much about their tuning potential. This saves them money while holding up power figures and their "efficient dynamics" thingy. And they still keep the n54 around for the higher performing models, its a win win for them. And Gnip you also make a valid case.

[red-sauerkraut]

The funny thing is BMW has people so confused, people are advertising their for-sale used N55 powered BMW's as twin turbo in the very ads they are trying to sell them in.

Originally Posted by csween86

It's marketing bro. For example bmw going to the n55 over the n54 in the 35i ranges....think about someone stuck between buying a 135i n55 or n54, "isn't twin turbo better?". The n55 is cheaper, lighter, easier to build, more fuel efficient than the n54, and puts out just about the same power(stock out of the factory that is/exclude is models and the 1m), that's why it took over. I assume BMW thinks people will think one less turbo(the n55) means less performance out of the factory, so they market the name "twin power" to assure people the n55 still has the performance of the old "twin turbo" n54 in the 135i. Their not calling it a twin turbo, but rather suggesting it performs as if it were one. That's just my opinion of it, not trying to sound like a know it all lol, I could be way off. And please people don't start a n54 is better than n55 thing after this comment. Yes the n54 has more tuning potential but the n55 is cheaper,lighter,more fuel efficient and still holds the 300/300 numbers so why would bmw keep dropping the more expensive n54 into the 35i range when they can just put the n55. BMW only cares about the image of their engines out of the factory and not so much about their tuning potential. This saves them money while holding up power figures and their "efficient dynamics" thingy. And they still keep the n54 around for the higher performing models, its a win win for them. And Gnip you also make a valid case.

[csween86]

Sauerkraut I hear ya on that! lol true story.... when I bought my 135i I wanted the n55 and knew it was a single turbo. At pick up I popped open the hood and saw "twin power turbo." I turned to the salesman, and was like dude I thought I was getting the new single turbo engine! What's this all about? Haha, he explained it to me and I was good to go.

[6MT M3]

Until 2012, no M model used Valvetronic, but instead continued to feature multiple throttle-bodied designs.

I thought the S65 has valvetronic.

[AlexanderR]

anyone else notice that in the 2nd video the robot mounts a n20 transverse...

[Jason]

Originally Posted by HuangYiChao

I thought the S65 has valvetronic.

Nope, no valvetronic.

Originally Posted by AlexanderR

anyone else notice that in the 2nd video the robot mounts a n20 transverse...

FWD application.

[AlexanderR]

Originally Posted by Jason

Nope, no valvetronic.



FWD application.

I don't believe this one bit.

[wibbles]

Valvetronic is all well and good until BMW detune your car without telling you when it's serviced.

[csween86]

Originally Posted by wibbles

Valvetronic is all well and good until BMW detune your car without telling you when it's serviced.

I am a big skeptic of this issue my friend. I made a post on this issue at one point. I brought my 135i in for it's first service a while back, and the service rep told me they had to do an update to the DME but never gave me a straight answer why.... I will admit afterwards my car did not feel less powerful in the long run, but my throttle response became weaker on the low end and my exhaust note completely changed... It used to growl (burble), especially when the revs would fall(decompression) ... I might be crazy but to this day I'm convinced that BMW might have accidentally added the ppk to some factory cars and then realized it, and inconspicuously removed it.....

[red-sauerkraut]

Wow, that is something to ponder over now isn't it.

Originally Posted by csween86

I am a big skeptic of this issue my friend. I made a post on this issue at one point. I brought my 135i in for it's first service a while back, and the service rep told me they had to do an update to the DME but never gave me a straight answer why.... I will admit afterwards my car did not feel less powerful in the long run, but my throttle response became weaker on the low end and my exhaust note completely changed... It used to growl (burble), especially when the revs would fall(decompression) ... I might be crazy but to this day I'm convinced that BMW might have accidentally added the ppk to some factory cars and then realized it, and inconspicuously removed it.....

[red-sauerkraut]

Good call... Nice Avatar BTW

Originally Posted by Jason

Nope, no valvetronic.



FWD application.

[NYAWE60]

Originally Posted by SleepyE90

I'm gonna miss the S65

You and me both, I'll also miss the S85 big time

[Rich@GTBPerformance]

Guys

No need to miss those engines, just keep your E9X M3's and your E60 M5's in the garage and stop upgrading so quickly!

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Nerd

Since N20 was the replacement for the 6 cylinder engines which went into the base model BMW's (x25/x28/x30). Which model(s) is the 3 cylinder engine going to be going into ? Only cars sold in europe or in the US as well ?

The upcoming TwinPower 3 cylinder will probably replace the 1.6L N13 and N18 engines. It will be similar in displacement (1.5L rather than 1.6L), and is rumored to be targeting up to 200hp or even more (such as in the i8).

It is not likely we will see 3 cylinder powered BMW's in the US (other than from the "i" brand), just as we don't get N13 powered vehicles today (those with model designations in the teens). We will get 3 cylinder powered Mini's of course.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by AlexanderR

I don't believe this one bit.

What don't you believe?

That the S65 does not employ Valvetronic throttle technology is a well known fact.

Regarding FWD applications for the N20, that has not been announced but is all but certain at this point. We know that FWD BMW's are coming in the 1 Series product range, and the N20 will naturally find its way into these models (though it is possible that they will give the transverse version of the engine a different name).

[scanepa]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Nerd

Since N20 was the replacement for the 6 cylinder engines which went into the base model BMW's (x25/x28/x30). Which model(s) is the 3 cylinder engine going to be going into ? Only cars sold in europe or in the US as well ?

It's for The Mini

[scanepa]

Originally Posted by csween86

It's marketing bro. For example bmw going to the n55 over the n54 in the 35i ranges....think about someone stuck between buying a 135i n55 or n54, "isn't twin turbo better?". The n55 is cheaper, lighter, easier to build, more fuel efficient than the n54, and puts out just about the same power(stock out of the factory that is/exclude is models and the 1m), that's why it took over. I assume BMW thinks people will think one less turbo(the n55) means less performance out of the factory, so they market the name "twin power" to assure people the n55 still has the performance of the old "twin turbo" n54 in the 135i. Their not calling it a twin turbo, but rather suggesting it performs as if it were one. That's just my opinion of it, not trying to sound like a know it all lol, I could be way off. And please people don't start a n54 is better than n55 thing after this comment. Yes the n54 has more tuning potential but the n55 is cheaper,lighter,more fuel efficient and still holds the 300/300 numbers so why would bmw keep dropping the more expensive n54 into the 35i range when they can just put the n55. BMW only cares about the image of their engines out of the factory and not so much about their tuning potential. This saves them money while holding up power figures and their "efficient dynamics" thingy. And they still keep the n54 around for the higher performing models, its a win win for them. And Gnip you also make a valid case.

LOL, what a bunch of BS bro. They call it twin power because it's a twin scroll single turbo...