Officially Official: BMW announces 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo for U.S.

Filed under: BMW

BMW 2.0-liter Turbo

BMW’s four-cylinder turbocharged engine – Click above for high-res image gallery

BMW has been teasing us with little factoids here and there about its new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and we finally have official confirmation that it will, in fact, be coming to the United States later this year.

This new four-cylinder engine uses the same twin-scroll turbo technology found in the larger N55 3.0-liter engine. Maximum power is rated at 240 horsepower at 5,000 rpm, and peak torque – all 260 pound-feet of it – is delivered at 1,250 rpm. By switching to a smaller-displacement, turbocharged, direct-injected engine, we can expect that cars with this new 2.0-liter four will get a healthy bump in fuel economy over the current six-cylinder models.

BMW has yet to point out which models will be getting the new 2.0-liter turbo, but since the automaker specifically mentions that it offers more power and torque than the current naturally aspirated 3.0-liter inline-six, we wouldn’t be shocked to learn that all cars with a 28i or 30i at the end of the name will now be powered by this four-pot mill. Earlier reports have suggested that the Z4 sDrive30i will now use four-cylinder power, and we’re betting both the 1 and 3 Series, as well as X1, will get the turbo-four treatment. Follow the jump for the official press release.

Gallery: BMW X1 2.0 Turbocharged Four Cylinder

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading Officially Official: BMW announces 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo for U.S.

Officially Official: BMW announces 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo for U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia Sportage with turbo engine debuts in Canada

Filed under: Crossover, Kia, Canada

2011 Kia Sportage Turbo

The 2011 International Truck of the Year has an all new available engine under the hood. Canadian Kia fans can soon head over to dealers and pick up the 2011 Kia Sportage SX, which features a directly-injected 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. We’d expect the U.S. to follow suit in very short order.

Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, the turbo mill has a relatively flat torque curve with peak power occurring between 1,800 and 3,000 rpm. When bolted into the 2011 Sonata, the 2.0T is rated at 274 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. We expect the Sportage SX to produce similar numbers, including the 30+ miles per gallon highway fuel economy figures.

The car will show up in Canadian dealer showrooms by the end of winter. Priced at $36,995, it comes loaded with standard features including the new UVO entertainment system, which is similar to Ford’s Sync. Check out the full press release after the break.

Gallery: 2011 Kia Sportage: Review

2011 Kia Sportage2011 Kia Sportage2011 Kia Sportage2011 Kia Sportage2011 Kia Sportage

Photos copyright (C)2010 Jeremy Korzeniewski / AOL

[Source: Kia Canada via Auto North | Image: Montreal Motor Show]

Continue reading Kia Sportage with turbo engine debuts in Canada

Kia Sportage with turbo engine debuts in Canada originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 18:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Edo Competition transforms the Porsche Panamera Turbo into 750hp “Moby Dick”

Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Performance, Porsche

Porsche Panamera Turbo “Moby Dick” by Edo Competition – Click above for high-res image gallery

Say what you will about its styling, but the Porsche Panamera Turbo is one of the most devastatingly fast four-door whatever-you-want-to-call-its on the market. But that’s just not enough for some people. And for those people, there are companies like Edo Competition.

The German tuner may be best known for customizing exotica like Ferraris and Lamborghinis, but have this time focussed on the Panamera. Edo’s fitted a Mansory body kit for for a little extra visual oomph, but that’s hardly where the story ends.

Under the hood, the creation they call Moby Dick benefits from 50% increased output, from 500 horsepower stock to a whopping 750. That, according to Edo, should be enough to drive the Autobahn-crunching top speed up to 211 miles per hour, while dropping the 0-60 run down below four seconds. Well below, we’d figure.

A variable exhaust system, dropped suspension and 22-inch wheels round out the package, and buyers can specify from a range of interior options as well, all of which you can read about in the press release after the jump and the see in the image gallery below.

Gallery: Edo Competition “Moby Dick” Porsche Panamera Turbo

[Source: Edo Competition]

Continue reading Edo Competition transforms the Porsche Panamera Turbo into 750hp “Moby Dick”

Edo Competition transforms the Porsche Panamera Turbo into 750hp “Moby Dick” originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: BMW Z4 to get four-cylinder turbo as base engine

Filed under: Convertible, BMW

2011 BMW Z4 sDrive30i

2011 BMW Z4 sDrive30i – Click above for high-res image gallery

According to a Twitter update from the folks at Automobile, BMW will be ditching the naturally aspirated 3.0-liter inline-six in the base Z4 roadster in favor of a turbocharged four-cylinder powerplant. Big news, yes, but it doesn’t come as much of a surprise since BMW has long flirted with the idea of using turbocharged four-pot mills in its base models like the Z4 sDrive30i and even the 328i.

Details are slim (curse you, 140-character limit), but Automobile states that because this new turbo four would replace the naturally aspirated six, at least 200 horsepower should be on tap. We’d expect a slightly higher output, since the current engine cranks out 255 horsepower and 220 pound-feet of torque. We certainly won’t mind a turbocharged four-banger with gobs of low-end power under the hood of the Z4, and we’d expect to see this new mill show up within the next year.

Gallery: 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive30i

2011 BMW Z4 sDrive30i2011 BMW Z4 sDrive30i2011 BMW Z4 sDrive30i2011 BMW Z4 sDrive30i2011 BMW Z4 sDrive30i

[Source: Automobile via Twitter]

Report: BMW Z4 to get four-cylinder turbo as base engine originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: IL pits 2011 Buick Regal Turbo against 1987 Grand National

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Videos, Buick

1987 Buick Grand National vs. 2011 Buick Regal Turbo

1987 Buick Grand National vs. 2011 Buick Regal Turbo – Click above to watch video after the jump

When General Motors first announced that Americans would once again be able to get their power-hungry hands on a turbocharged Buick, enthusiast minds immediately leapt to visions of a modern day Grand National. Now, however, it’s clear that the new Regal Turbo isn’t exactly the second coming of old-school forced-induction glory. That hasn’t stopped the crew at Inside Line from lining the two up on the quarter mile and sharing their exploits with the world. The editors chose an ’87 Grand National as the representative of the old-school set, and predictably, it puts the new-age Regal CXL Turbo in its place without breaking a sweat down the quarter mile.

Even so, the 2011 Regal Turbo managed to pull off wins in both the slalom and skid pad as well as brake tests, but both results are of little surprise given that the new Regal Turbo has the benefit of over 20 years of technology on its side. You can head over to Inside Line for the full skinny on how both vehicles performed under the scrutiny of IL testing. Hit the jump to check out the quarter-mile video, too. Thanks for the tip, Brandon!

[Source: Inside Line]

Continue reading Video: IL pits 2011 Buick Regal Turbo against 1987 Grand National

Video: IL pits 2011 Buick Regal Turbo against 1987 Grand National originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Subaru 2.5-liter coffee table makes excellent Christmas gift, turbo sold separately

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Subaru, Humor

Subaru EJ25 Coffee Table

Subaru flat-four coffee table has better ‘Ring time than IKEA version – Click above to watch video after the jump

Using an engine as the base for a table isn’t new. Gearheads have been turning four, six, eight and even 12 cylinder mills into furniture for a long time. However, someone has taken the engine-table idea a step further though by affixing a glass top onto the flywheel and allowing the table to rotate. The fact that you can watch the pistons turn as it rotates only serves to up the cool factor.

The power source of choice for this application? An EJ25 workhorse from a Subaru. Hopefully its not an early EJ25D though – the head gaskets could leak and ruin the carpet. Check it out in action after the jump.

[Source: Youtube]

Continue reading Video: Subaru 2.5-liter coffee table makes excellent Christmas gift, turbo sold separately

Video: Subaru 2.5-liter coffee table makes excellent Christmas gift, turbo sold separately originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series Coupe to get 5.5-liter turbo

Filed under: Coupe, Mercedes-Benz, Rumormill

Mercedes-Benz AMG Black Series badge

The Mercedes-Benz C Class already has a hugely capable and entertaining performance model in the 451-horsepower C63. But a refreshed C Class is expected to bow at next month’s Detroit Auto Show, and an exotic Black Series Coupe is expected to follow later in the year.

Inside Line reports that a conversation with Mercedes spokespeople has revealed that the 6.2-liter in the C63 will not be tweaked for Black Series duty, opting instead for the company’s twin-turbo 5.5-liter mill. That powertrain, as you may recall, already puts out 571 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque in the S63 AMG. That’s 71 more ponies than the the CLK AMG Black Series and more twist than almost anything this side of a diesel-powered heavy-duty pickup truck. That should help justify the expected $100k-plus price tag of the rarest of AMG variants, while simultaneously making every BMW M3 owner a bit leery of a race with the Black Series coupe. Let’s just hope it maintains the otherworldly bark of the naturally aspirated 6.2-liter, which is one of the C63’s primary draws.

[Source: Inside Line]

Rumormill: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series Coupe to get 5.5-liter turbo originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Toyota plans to add turbo, direct-injection to most of lineup

Filed under: Etc., Toyota

Toyota engine production

Toyota has big plans for its model lineup, as the automaker intends to introduce 11 new or redesigned vehicles by 2012. This will be accomplished by offering hybrid versions of existing models, as well as introducing all-new hybrid vehicles. However, Toyota’s focus isn’t going to be entirely on improving the electric half of the hybrid equation. The automaker is looking at ways to produce more efficient gasoline engines, and turbochargers and direct fuel injection are both in the cards.

There’s no word yet on which models will benefit from either technology first, but the initial round of products should also come equipped with start-stop technology in addition to the DI and turbo. It was hard to believe at the time, but maybe a turbocharged, hybrid MR2 really is right around the corner.

[Source: Autoweek]

Report: Toyota plans to add turbo, direct-injection to most of lineup originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Nov 2010 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Lamborghini Gallardo Twin-turbo crashes at Texas Mile

Filed under: Aftermarket, Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Safety, Videos, Lamborghini, Racing

Underground Racing Lamborghini Gallardo crash

Underground Racing Lamborghini Gallardo crashes at the Texas Mile – Click above to watch video after the jump

The Texas Mile had scary moment last weekend when a twin-turbocharged Lamborghini Gallardo built by Underground Racing left the track at well over 100 mph. Driver Richard Holt was attempting to pilot the machine to a new standing mile world record, though once his parachute opened to slow the car, the Lamborghini veered off of the course, clipped a small wall and catapulted end over end. Miraculously, Holt walked away from the incident after being cut free from the wreckage by rescue workers. He was later observed at a local hospital before being released.

Reports peg the modified Gallardo as packing somewhere between 1,500 and 1,900 horsepower. Holt actually passed the mile marker at 235 mph and it’s suggested that a crosswind is to blame for the sudden change of direction upon the chute’s deployment. Accidents like this one underscore the value of conducting high-speed runs in authorized locations with plenty of rescue workers on hand. Hit the jump to watch a video of the entire run.

[Sources: Dragtimes, Small World News Service]

Continue reading Video: Lamborghini Gallardo Twin-turbo crashes at Texas Mile

Video: Lamborghini Gallardo Twin-turbo crashes at Texas Mile originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wiesmann upgrades all V10 models to twin-turbo V8

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, MISC

Wiesmann Coupe prototype

Spy Shots: Wiesmann prototype out for a spin – Click above for high-res image gallery

Wiesmann was in a bit of a pickle when BMW announced it was no longer producing its V10. In addition to the M5 and M6, the high-revving 10 was used to power the Roadster MF5 and GT MF5 and we assumed Wiesmann would make the switch to the new 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine. We were right. What we didn’t guess is that it would be sticking the new mill under the hoods of both the Roadster MF4 and GT MF4. The Wiesmann MF3 will retain its 343 horsepower six-cylinder engine.

No word yet on how much power the twin-turbo will produce when utilized with the MF4, but when stuffed into the engine bay of the MF5 it’s set to produce 555 horsepower, allowing it to run from 0-60 mph in less than four seconds, hit a top speed of 193 mph and become the most powerful Wiesmann ever produced.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Wiesmann Coupe

[Source: Wiesmann]

Continue reading Wiesmann upgrades all V10 models to twin-turbo V8

Wiesmann upgrades all V10 models to twin-turbo V8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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