BMWs new quad-turbocharged diesel

Yes, and imagine the cost to replace four turbos - the turbos and all of the labor........

Bill

Trackrig wrote:
Yes, and imagine the cost to replace four turbos - the turbos and all of the labor........

Bill

I think this is where the old saying kicks in: If you have to ask the price, you can't afford it. :E

Could easily get away with 2 turbos. One smaller for response and a larger on for power.

Bigger question: Where are they hiding?

More components means more likelyhood of a failure. I wonder if the turbos are different in sizes and what ranges where they work. I could see a scenario where they are somewhat cascaded. I have seen combos of supercharger and turbocharger. The power of a supercharger starts immediately but the turbo takes over at higher RPM.

I think they're building on the theme of one turbo to feed a second turbo to cut down on turbo lag time? And then due to today's small engine compartments they probably have gone to two turbos on one side of the engine and two on the other side to cut down on the large turbo piping.

Bill

Four turbos, one 3 liter engine.

My response is.... why...why would a manufacturer makes something so complex ?

I would think the most reliable and durable diesel engines out there...on the road.. are in highway tractors.

I'm no expert, but I believe they are generally inline 6 cylinders, of around 10-16 liters and have one turbo.

I don't know how complex they are, I would think an engineering design goal would be to keep a highway tractor engine as simple as possible...to ensure reliability/durability.

Are 4 turbos necessary for consumer engine such as this BMW ?

First off, this engine application looks like its for their flagship 7 series which mean the customer already has a lot of money. I'm sure there's a performance edge to this that BMW is pursuing. I for one would stay away but I do like BMW pushing the boundaries. This application may offer useful data for future diesel applications.

Lessmore wrote:
Four turbos, one 3 liter engine.

My response is.... why...why would a manufacturer makes something so complex ?

I would think the most reliable and durable diesel engines out there...on the road.. are in highway tractors.

I'm no expert, but I believe they are generally inline 6 cylinders, of around 10-16 liters and have one turbo.

I don't know how complex they are, I would think an engineering design goal would be to keep a highway tractor engine as simple as possible...to ensure reliability/durability.

Are 4 turbos necessary for consumer engine such as this BMW ?

You know you are right. They should have stopped building engines when the model T came out. Why the hell are they trying to make things better. IDIOTS!

BMW is already making some of the world's fastest diesels: http://www.cheatsheet.com/automobiles/alternate-fuel-wonders-the-20-fastest-diesel-powered-vehicles.html/?a=viewall

Maybe we'll get to hear some higher spinning diesels in the future:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sShmg1DPzg