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Porsche Perfektionist
Helped to change perceptions about diesel
BMW is celebrating their 30th anniversary of offering diesel engines.
While diesels are pretty common today, especially in Europe, many people regarded them as loud and dirty back in the 80's. BMW sought to change this, in part because of the lasting sting of the 1970's oil crisis.
When it came to developing the engine, BMW decided it had to combine fuel efficiency and durability as well as "high performance, spontaneous power delivery and optimum smoothness." As a result, engineers created a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine that produced 115 HP (85 kW) and 210 Nm (155 lb-ft) of torque.
The engine was fitted to the 1983 524 tD which instantly became the fastest diesel model in the world as it could accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 12.9 seconds and hit a top speed of 180 km/h (112 mph). More importantly, the model averaged 7.1 L/100km (33.1 mpg US / 39.7 mpg UK).
The rest, as they say, is history as BMW continued to develop their diesel engines into the tri-turbo beasts the power the M550d today.
Source: BMW
No doubt BMW is magnificent in engine design. But I want to comment on something that I see on the outside. What a BMW 5 this design was. I miss the 4 individual eyes BMW designs of yesteryears. Those BMWs were among the best designs from the car industry during 1970s and 1980s. So simple and elegant yet so powerful and not to forget sporty. The new BMWs just can’t compete with their predecessors in terms of design language IMO. Beautiful!
BMW is celebrating their 30th anniversary of offering diesel engines.
While diesels are pretty common today, especially in Europe, many people regarded them as loud and dirty back in the 80's. BMW sought to change this, in part because of the lasting sting of the 1970's oil crisis.
When it came to developing the engine, BMW decided it had to combine fuel efficiency and durability as well as "high performance, spontaneous power delivery and optimum smoothness." As a result, engineers created a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine that produced 115 HP (85 kW) and 210 Nm (155 lb-ft) of torque.
The engine was fitted to the 1983 524 tD which instantly became the fastest diesel model in the world as it could accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 12.9 seconds and hit a top speed of 180 km/h (112 mph). More importantly, the model averaged 7.1 L/100km (33.1 mpg US / 39.7 mpg UK).
The rest, as they say, is history as BMW continued to develop their diesel engines into the tri-turbo beasts the power the M550d today.
Source: BMW
No doubt BMW is magnificent in engine design. But I want to comment on something that I see on the outside. What a BMW 5 this design was. I miss the 4 individual eyes BMW designs of yesteryears. Those BMWs were among the best designs from the car industry during 1970s and 1980s. So simple and elegant yet so powerful and not to forget sporty. The new BMWs just can’t compete with their predecessors in terms of design language IMO. Beautiful!
