Well, after two decades of normally-aspirated high-revving engines under the hoods of its M cars, BMW is chaning direction and will begin to offer direct-injection turbocharged powerplants in its future high-end models.
BMW is blaming tough environmental emission standards and the soaring manufacturing costs of the specialty-build V8 and V10 engines found in today’s M3, M5 and M6 models for its decision. We consider the fact that Audi and Mercedes-Benz have succesfully offered torque-laden forced-induction powerplants for years may have somethign to do with BMW’s decision.
The first model to feature the turbocharged honor will be the X6 xDrive M, with a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 reportedly making 500 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. That same engine is reportedly going into the next F10-chassis M5 due in late 2010.
[Source: Autoweek]
As odd as the X6 looked, especially when it was new, it actually looks really fantastic and cool. And if there was an M version as well, then awesome.
Turbos FTW.