Quad-Turbo Diesel Being Developed?
Environmental regulations are becoming more strict with each passing year. The world is finally wising up to the fact that not only are humans a main cause for global greenhouse gas emissions, but that we also have a very finite amount of oil that we can consume. And one day, that oil will run out. This means that automakers are doing whatever they can to both decrease gas consumption, and reduce the amount of emissions produced by their respective fleets.
Currently, there are multiple ways to go about reducing both of these figures. While many automakers have invested vast sums of money into hybrid vehicles, more automakers are turning to the world of turbocharged engines to help them reduce a car’s impact on these issues.
Using a turbocharged engine allows manufacturers to build smaller, more efficient engines without sacrificing power. One company that is taking that formula and making huge waves within the industry is obviously BMW. Not only does the company have twin-turbocharged engines throughout its fleet, but it also builds diesel cars with three turbos. The company though, isn’t stopping there.
According to Motor Authority, recent reports coming out of the automaker seem to indicate that the company is building a new class of diesel engine with four turbos. The first three will operate like normal gas driven turbines, but the report points to the fourth being electrically driven. Electric turbos essentially give the engine instantaneous boost pressure thereby eliminating turbo lag. The arrangement is said to produce over 400 horsepower in a 3.0L six-cylinder engine, which is plenty healthy for a diesel car. However, the real story is that the quad-turbo engine could be rated at well over 590 lb-ft of torque.
While this engine most likely won’t be seen on U.S. soil, with these regulations becoming what they are, it’s hard to imagine it staying away for too long. What do you think of a quad-turbocharged diesel BMW? With 590 lb-ft of torque, could a diesel ever be an M car?