Eight Cylinder Engines

Passion meets intelligence. The BMW eight-cylinder engines impress with high performance and spontaneous power delivery; and all this with low weight, fuel efficiency and unparalleled smooth running.

The BMW eight-cylinder engines owe the V in their name to the position of their cylinder banks, which stand at a 90° angle to each other. The arrangement and distribution of the cylinders on the two cylinder banks ensure perfect equalisation of the inertial forces and thus for unusually smooth running.

The performance of the BMW V8 engines is also unusual. Depending on the model, this is achieved through the employment of the most modern TwinPower Turbo technology or by the complex high-speed concept. In vehicles with TwinPower Turbo two equally-large turbochargers work at the same time and supply the engine with compressed air. The central arrangement of the turbos between the cylinder banks of the V8 engines allows a particularly compact design. Combined with the direct fuel injection (High Precision Injection) system, a water-cooled intercooling system and use of the most modern lightweight construction components – like the magnesium aluminium compound crank case – BMW V8 engines reach impressive levels of performance with high efficiency. Thus the 4.4-litre TwinPower Turbo V8 petrol engine in the BMW 550i delivers a full 300 kW (407 hp) and a maximum torque of 600 Nm. And all this with a consumption of 10.4 l/100 km. The V8 engine in the BMW X6M provides even more power. Here a pair of Twin Scroll turbochargers supplies the engine with air. The result is an outstanding 408 kW (555 hp), 680 Nm torque and a litre achievement of 126 hp per litre cubic capacity. The patented cylinder bank-overlapping exhaust manifold provides a particularly even exhaust supply. Thus differences in pressure, which lead to delays in the response mode, are effectively avoided. This means a high level of spontaneous power delivery.

For V8 engines, depending on the model, BMW also focuses on the sophisticated high-speed concept in addition to turbocharging with a direct fuel injection system. Taken directly from the world of motor racing, it’s used in the V8 naturally-aspirated engine and permits revolutions to a maximum of 8,300 rpm. Consistent lightweight construction and eight electronically-steered single butterfly valves characterise the V8 power unit and connect racing technology with suitability for daily use. The concept of the single butterfly valve control allows the engine to respond sensitively in the low-speed range and permits immediate reaction when high-engine performance is demanded. 

A further constructional highlight is the oiling system, which allows for longitudinal and lateral acceleration of up to 1.4g. The innovative ion current knock control monitors the firing processes at every ignition in order to detect engine knocking, spark failure and combustion misfiring. The innovative Brake Energy Regeneration with intelligent generator regulation also comes into use here and brake energy is converted to current for the on-board electrical system. 

Thus the BMW M3 Coupé achieves a performance of 309 kW (420 hp) and a maximum torque of 400 Nm at 3,900 rpm. 85% of the maximum torque is demanded over a rev range of 6,500 rpm. 

Further information about the official fuel consumption and the official specific CO2 emissions for new passenger automobiles can be obtained from the ‘The Passenger Car (Fuel Consumption and CO2 Emissions Information) Regulations’, which are available free of charge at all sales outlets and from this address: DAT Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH, Hellmuth-Hirth-Str. 1, 73760 Ostfildern-Scharnhausen, Germany.

Electric Power Steering

Electric Power Steering is a technology from BMW EfficientDynamics. It enables precise and comfortable control of the vehicle in every situation and helps to noticeably reduce fuel consumption. 

In contrast to conventional power steering, the Electric Power Steering from BMW is not a hydraulic system, but an intelligent solution based on an electric motor. The advantage is the engine is only in use when power steering is needed – during actual steering manoeuvres. When driving straight ahead, which, statistically, makes up 90% of the journey, it remains inactive and thus doesn’t consume any energy. The result is the Electric Power Steering reduces the vehicle’s average consumption by about 0.3 l/100 km and thus plays an important role in improving efficiency. Maintenance and environmental impact are dramatically lowered by the omission of hydraulic oil. 

Electric Power Steering provides an optimal steering feeling, reacts to gentle nudges and the active yaw dampers consistently balance out the oscillating movements. The optional Sport button allows the driver to change the steering settings to his preferences at any time. 

Depending on the model, the steering system can be combined with theServotronic. This adjusts the steering power permanently according to the current speed. This involves calculating the aid necessary at a particular speed and setting the motor of the Electric Power Steering appropriately. So steering at low speeds, e.g. when driving through tight, curving alleys, requires only minimal effort. As speed increases, the power steering is continuously reduced to ensure more direct contact with the road and thus directional stability. 

Electromechanical Parking Brake

Starting off on a slope, in stop-and-go traffic or whenever the engine is turned off: the Electromechanical Parking Brake ensures your BMW stays comfortably and reliably at a standstill whenever required.

Working together with Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), the Electromechanical Parking Brake controls all braking processes whenever the vehicle is not moving. If the engine is running, it operates hydraulically via the DSC brake system. If the engine is switched off, electromechanical brake cables support the function of the conventional handbrake.
The Electromechanical Parking Brake can be activated by pressing a button on the instrument panel or, depending on your BMW model, on the centre console. It also offers an autostop and hillhold function.
Autostop automatically activates the parking brake whenever the vehicle comes to a halt; it disengages the moment you touch the accelerator. In vehicles with automatic transmission, it is no longer necessary to keep the brake pedal applied to prevent vehicle creep when stopping in gear, such as in stop-and-go traffic or at traffic lights. This makes city driving significantly more comfortable.
Hillhold automatically applies the parking brake whenever your BMW stops on a slope, preventing unwanted rolling, and disengages it when you start off again.

Electronic Damper Control

Electronic Damper Control (EDC) automatically or manually adjusts each damper to suit the driving conditions meaning you enjoy outstanding comfort along with the best in BMW on-road safety. EDC reduces variations in wheel load, ensures tyres have excellent traction and counteracts bodyshell movement regardless of the weight your automobile may be carrying or the state of the road's surface.

Sensors constantly monitor all factors influencing the vehicle's behaviour and occupants' comfort, in order to precisely adjust the damper control. In a fraction of a second, the signals are analysed by the EDC microprocessor and orders are sent to the actuators on the shock absorbers, which, with the help of magnetic valves, are variably adjusted to provide optimal suspension. Thanks to Electronic Damper Control, the tendency for the nose to dip when braking is practically eliminated. The influence of potholes and unevenness on the road surface is reduced to minimum. 

In addition to increased driving comfort and improved roll characteristics on the tyres, EDC also contributes to vehicle stability and safety. By reducing the nose's tendency to dip when braking and improving the tyre traction, EDC shortens the braking distance when braking heavily. The damper adjustment means that even when braking with ABS the vehicle chassis remains upright on the road and all four wheels have the largest possible contact to the surface. 

The Driving Experience Control switch with ECO PRO lets the driver choose between various programs (like COMFORT, NORMAL, SPORT or SPORT+) and adjust the suspension to suit his individual needs.

Electronic Immobiliser

Better protection against theft: the electronic immobiliser prevents unauthorized entry into your BMW and prevents it being started, unless your correct individual key code is properly provided.

The electronic immobiliser secures your car using a chip with an electronic code integrated in the car key. This code consists of a permanent personal code and a second code changed by the immobiliser each time you start the engine.

Whenever the ignition is switched on, the immobiliser first reads the personal code and then asks for the changing code. If both answers are correct, the immobiliser will send another coded signal to the Digital Motor Electronics (DME) to unlock the engine. Without which the engine cannot be started - not even by short-circuiting it.

This data is transmitted wirelessly via an aerial in the steering wheel lock and the key with integrated remote control. The key is equipped with a maintenance-free battery which recharges automatically while driving. And should you ever lose your key, you can have it deactivated by your authorised BMW dealer and receive a replacement key without delay.

Electronic Seat Adjustment Memory

Feel at home instantly: the memory function of the electronically-adjustable driver's seat enables you to save your settings for the position of the seat, backrest, steering column and exterior mirrors, and return them to your preferred positions by pressing a button.

A perfect seating position is essential for comfortable driving. Electronic seat adjustment enables you and your front passenger to individually adjust the seat height, angle and length, and the angle of the backrest.
For the driver's seat, the memory function saves your settings for the positions of the headrest, steering column, exterior mirrors (including fold-in function). A particular benefit if you occasionally share your BMW with another driver, the memory function eliminates time-wasting readjustment of your preferred settings when you return to the driver's seat.

The memory function also enables you to save different settings for different types of driving - city driving or freeway driving, for example. On some BMW models, the seat memory setting can be changed while driving.

Electronic Throttle Butterfly Control

High-precision power control - the electronic throttle butterfly control system ensures precise control of engine output by converting the movement of the accelerator pedal to a digital signal that is sent to the engine management system. This results in smoother, steadier power delivery, plus lower emissions and improved fuel efficiency.

Electronic throttle butterfly control replaces the mechanical connection between the accelerator pedal and the throttle with an electronic signal. Also known as "drive by wire", this system sends digital information about the position of the accelerator to the central engine management unit. The position of each of the individual throttle butterfly valves is then adjusted by a tiny electric motor.

The system requires a mere 120 milliseconds to fully open the throttle butterflies, about the same time it takes a skilled driver to fully apply the accelerator pedal. This allows the driver to apply engine power with greater precision and ensures particularly smooth, shudder-free motoring, above all at low engine speeds. Optimally-timed ignition and valve opening, the ideal throttle butterfly position and volume of injected fuel also serves to optimise consumption and emissions control.

A further important point is that electronic throttle butterfly control enhances driving safety by automatically applying a program in the event of a dangerous mechanical defect, such as the throttle butterflies inadvertently being placed in the full load setting. In addition, the driver can, at the press of a button, activate an extra sports setting of the electronic throttle butterfly control system.