As is the way of things at BMW, new engines that debut in one model soon enough turn up in other brands from the Munich-based manufacturer.
Those engines include the 2.5 and 3-liter versions of the inline-6 that was first announced for BMW's 3-series lineup a few weeks ago. Well, the 3-litre will now also be available for 2001 in the Z3 and the 5-series, both of which will get other technical changes, and the latter of which will get a general upgrade. The 5-series will also get the 2.5-litre.
The smaller of the two engines will produce 184 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 175 pound-feet of torque at 3500 rpm, while the 3-litre will produce 225 horsepower at 5900 rpm and 214 pound-feet of torque at 3500 rpm.
BMW Canada's Tobias Nickel is quick to point out that the new engines are more than just their peak power numbers. "The torque curve is much beefier on all models," he points out, "with at least 85 per cent of maximum torque consistently available between 1500 and 6000 rpm."
Nickel adds that, "Engine flexibility has been improved considerably on all variants also from low engine speeds, performance and free-revving response at high speeds benefitting from the increase in maximum engine speed."
Thanks to optimisation of the drivetrain, he says, this increase in performance from the former models does not mean an increase in fuel consumption. Indeed, on the automatic transmission models it even means a slight reduction in fuel consumption on European test and should do the same in Canada.
ickel adds that, "Engine response, finally, has been improved yet again through the introduction of an electronic gas pedal (drive-by-wire) as well as optimised adaptive transmission management, ensuring even greater spontaneity and motoring comfort."