BMW Power: The Top 10 Engines That Drove Innovation

Mar 08, 2023

The introduction of these BMW engines had unique impacts on the automobile industry.

The engine is often seen as the main component of an automobile, and rightly so. In the early days of automotive discovery and production, some automakers only concerned themselves with the production of the powertrain and chassis, sometimes leaving the bodywork to third party companies. While such practice has drastically reduced, it only shows the importance of the engine in the production of cars.

That said, among automakers, BMW is one company that has mastered the art of engine production, leading to the creation of several reliable BMW engines. With an origin that dates back to 1916, the German marque has built a plethora of engines for both its use and for other brands as well, which makes us believe there are cars you probably didn't know had BMW engines. While building engines isn't an easy task, being innovative while at it is a different ball game. Going down memory lane, let's check out some of the most innovative BMW engines ever built.

Related: How BMW Became A More Reliable Luxury Automaker Than Lexus

After the invention of the V8 engine in 1902, it strictly powered aircraft. However, in 1914, the Cadillac L-head V8 became the first V8 engine to power a car, and in 1949, BMW decided it was time to build its own. The development process of BMW's V8 took five years, as BMW debuted its first ever V8 engine, the OVH V8, in 1954, powering the 502.

The OHV V8 got introduced as a 2.6-liter engine in the BMW 502. Notably, with an output of 100 hp, the OHV V8 helped the 502 become Germany's fastest passenger sedan of its era. That said, the most innovative feature of the engine was the aluminum construction of the block and head, making it the first mass-produced V8 aluminum alloy engine in the world.

The M88 engine is one of BMW's most successful engines ever. Introduced in 1978, the M88 is a straight-six, 24-valve, DOHC, naturally-aspirated engine, and it was highly revered for its power, smoothness, and reliability. Also, the M88 was the first BMW engine to feature double overhead camshaft (DOHC).

The M88 features a dry sump lubrication system for improved reliability, and this makes it one of the first production engines to use the system. Also, the deployment of the M88 into BMW performance models like the M1 makes the M88 the brand's first true high-performance engine, and that's another reason why the BMW M1 is such a hot property today.

A multiple award-winning engine, the N54 is a twin-turbocharged straight-six mill that made its debut in 2006 powering the 335i model of the 3 series range. BMW based the design of the N54 on that of the M52. However, its engine block got fabricated using aluminum for better heat dissipation and other benefits.

The N54 engine was a turbocharged inline-six that offered impressive performance and efficiency. It was one of the first mass-produced engines to feature direct fuel injection and twin turbochargers. Unlike a manifold injection system where fuel gets injected into the manifold, direct fuel injection sends fuel directly into the combustion chamber for greater efficiency and reduced emission.

Developed by BMW, a Valvetronic System is a variable valve lift system deployed with VANOS for an endless amendment of the intake valve timing and duration. When deployed in engines, the Valvetronic system reduces emissions while it increases the engine's fuel economy.

Built as a replacement for the N54, BMW introduced the N55 in 2009, becoming the first ever turbocharged engine to feature a Valvetronic system. Also, the Valvetronic system helps to deliver an improved throttle response and low-rev torque among others.

Introduced in 1989, the M42 is a double overhead camshaft (DOHC) advance four-cylinder engine. As with other engines in its era, BMW built the M42 with cast-iron block and aluminum head. With four valves per cylinder, and being a DOHC engine, the M42 receives good airflow at high engine speed for a great power output.

The M42 was the first time BMW mass-produced a DOHC engine. It offered impressive performance and gearheads also love the engine for its great aftermarket tuning potential. Apart from the DOHC powertrain, the model also features hydraulic valve lifters and a timing chain.

For engines that feature a timing chains, the chains are a very crucial component of how these engines work. Timing chain connects the camshaft and the crankshaft, thereby controlling the opening and closing of the valves. But, how does this relate to the M10? Designed by engineer and racing driver Baron Alex von Falkenhausen, the M10 is a SOHC inline-4 engine that features a timing chain among other components.

Produced from 1962 to late '80s, the M10 was BMW's first in-line six-cylinder engine, and arguably the first to use aluminum-alloy components for the purpose of weight reduction. Not only that, the M10 is among the most advanced engines of its era in terms of technology, thereby cementing BMW's name as a performance and luxury brand. Also, this engine powered thefirst mass-produced European car with a turbocharger, the 2002 Turbo. That right there is another reason why every self-respecting car collector needs a BMW 2002 Turbo.

At the 2013 International Motor Show in Germany, BMW unveiled the production version of the BMW i8, a future classic you can buy today under $75,000. Its design, penned down by Benoit Jacob, was very similar to that of the BMW M1 Homage concept car. While the car features several exciting components like heads-up display, rearview camera, and butterfly doors, the hybrid powertrain, however, remains its most advanced feature.

The BMW i8's innovative hybrid powertrain was developed by GKN Automotive, and it features a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor for a combined output of 369 horsepower. Offering a fine blend of efficiency and performance through a combination of a turbocharged three-cylinder engine and electric motor, the i8 Hybrid powertrain is widely believed to be the most innovative around.

Produced in several displacements, the M50 powered several BMW models from the '90s to 2000s, and one of its unique components is the variable valve timing (VVT). A process that controls the valve lift event's timing, the VVT helps an internal combustion engine achieve better fuel economy and overall performance.

Notably, the M50 was the first BMW engine produced with a double overhead camshaft (DOHC) and four valves per cylinder. Also, it was one of the engines that pioneered variable valve timing (VVT), while it also features hydraulic valve lash adjustment for an automated valve lash adjustment process.

Related: 10 Cheap BMWs That Are A Blast To Drive

In the '70s, with the oil crisis in full swing, BMW decided it was time to build its own diesel engine. Using the M20 petrol engine as basis, and the Steyr engine plant as the production base, BMW commence the production of the brand's first mass-produced diesel engine in 1975, calling it the M21.

In 1983, BMW unveiled the E28 524td to the world. Powered by the M21, the E28 524td has an output of 115 hp, and a top speed of 110 mph to become the world's fastest diesel car. Available in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged versions, the M21 was quite a reliable and fuel-efficient engine.

Right from childhood, Olakunle has been fascinated by cars, and as an adult, he's gotten neck-deep in the world of automobiles. Hence, he finds contributing to HotCars quite interesting – a surreal experience.