BMW may introduce tri-turbo diesel for the facelifted 2012 X6 and 7-Series models - report

BMW's next move: an engine with 4 turbos! oh wait...

agreed Norther. I read the comments about BMW leading engine development as just a little too much BMW fanboy hype. Twin Turbo V6s come close to this power already depending on tuning. (GTR for example) I think a V6 with a turbo and a supercharger would produce this much power and be more efficient. This is over-engineering for no purpose except to produce the first tri-turbo.

It depends whether they are staged (sequential series) and how, like previously used in the Mazda Cosmo and currently used in powerful twin-turbo diesels (which was actually a first on diesels on the straight-6 535d's Variable Twin-Turbo with the BorgWarner R2S system, then used on all x35d, recent 740d, and on the straight-4 123d plus non-BMW)

plus do not confuse the sequential series (small turbo then both turbos then big turbo) with sequential parralel (1 turbo then both turbos), the latter being more common (e.g. Porsche 959, Mazda RX-7 "FD3S", Toyota Supra "JZA8"...)

@auto....who do you think is leading in engine development???

People on this site like to make a lot of noise but don?t say anything meaningful, or back it up with facts. It?s just fan boys rambling. There is more to an engine than high output numbers, even thought BMW's diesel are among the best in that regard. There is also engine flexibility, linear power delivery, and smoothness of rev build up. BMW Engines are highly refined, and at the top of many of their respected classes . It?s no fluke they win so many awards, despite some fanboys conspiracy theories. The 3 turbo layout in question utilizes two conventional exhaust driven turbos , and a third electric (or small exhaust driven) turbo for low rpm. The electric (or small exhaust driven) turbo (which again will only work at low rpm) in conjunction with the two conventional turbos(high rpm) will virtually eliminate turbo lag.

@autoficianado, I'm not a fanboy, but you are comparing the power output of a GT-R, which uses a gasoline engine, to the power output of a diesel engine. That's a huge apples-to-oranges comparison, dude. Diesels are about torque figures and don't run at the revs that gasoline engines do. I challenge you to find finer diesel engines in the 2.0L and the 3.0L class than those which appear in the BMW 525d and 535d respectively. Admittedly, BMW are very good at engine design.

Failing turbos are also a reason you should stay away from newer BMW gas engines too!