For a good reading, read this information on the link below:

http://www.worldcarfans.com/news.cfm/newsi....006/BMW/1.html

Indeed, BMW's philosophy (corporate mission) has always been to prove its' customers with highest performance luxury cars. First with the latest valvetronic that does not sacrifice performance, then eventually with direct injection (HPI) to boost performance at all revs, and to follow with hybrid (maybe of the weight factor can be reduce through continuous innovation).

Whereas Lexus, the underdog, persue the luxury and now going into the bold styling and performance arena with the hybrid first, then direct injection.

I imagine that in 2 years (2008 or 2009), a 5er will have direct injection with a V8 output of no less than 400 hp with brake energy regeneration and mpg in the mid 20's versus low 18s for now.

Ladies and gentlemen, enjoy your 545i and 550i especially people with 550i since the 4.8L valvetronic will probably be in production for 2 years. Technology in engine design is moving at light speed.

 

Thanks for the interesting read and thoughts B32. I definitely am enjoying my car.

 

Think so?

 

...But you'll feel itchy when 400hp+ engine comes out

 

Yes, engine tech is on the speed right now, just look at diesel engines!!!

BMW has developed DI and turbo engines (soon) to be on the market.

Hope they will deliver a 3.0 liter +350 hp and +350 Nm (under 2000 rpm) six-in-line.

The computers in cars has also made it possible for the fine 4WD
x-drive tech in new BMW's.

But high-tech has a tendesy to develop a bit slower than marketing people
wants...

Let's first wait for the facelift in fall '07 and then look up to the new F10!

 

Yes, engine tech is on the speed right now, just look at diesel engines!!!

BMW has developed DI and turbo engines (soon) to be on the market.

Hope they will deliver a 3.0 liter +350 hp and +350 Nm (under 2000 rpm) six-in-line.

The computers in cars has also made it possible for the fine 4WD
x-drive tech in new BMW's.

But high-tech has a tendesy to develop a bit slower than marketing people
wants...

Let's first wait for the facelift in fall '07 and then look up to the new F10!
[/quote]

I think BMW has a leg up on the Lexus and Infiiniti group because of their entrenched technology on diesel engines. Diesel offers a lot of torque in the low rpms while petro offered a lot torque on the mid to high rpm. Instead of going hydrid like Lexus to increase overall HP and torque, BMW chooses to integrate the diesel technology and design into a petro engine. The end result is more power and better fuel consumption.

Electric motor (in Lexus hybrids) have a weight disadvantage (don't forget the battery). While DI (direct injection) will be in lots of engines in the very near future, I think BMW's patented HPI will compete and out perform Lexus' version of direct injection. As long as I'm in the market for a performance luxury, I think BMW is the only cat ahead of the pack.

As for the Start/Stop technology, I think that is waaaay in the future. As this point, I cannot practically conceptualize a petro engine acting like an electric motor. It's about the physics of temperature that petro engines have to overcome in a start/stop concept.

 

Will BMW keep this new Valvetronic V8 for a high pro New X5 or a future 7er?

Or will it trickle into the E60/61/63/64shortly after it's release? (2 years from now?)