BMW B48

BMW B48 installed in a 2014 Mini Hatch Cooper S.

The BMW B48 engine is an all-aluminum inline-four cylinder engine produced by BMW AG. Released in 2014, it is a part of a modular BMW engine family, which is based on a 500 cc cylinder displacement.

The B48 is a 2.0-litre engine featuring BMW's EfficientDynamics technology, as well as its TwinPower Turbo technology. Included in both are features such as direct injection, variable valve lift (Valvetronic), variable valve timing (Double VANOS), and turbocharging. The B48 contains a twin-scroll turbocharger. It is currently in use in the F56 Mini Cooper S, and will be available in the BMW 225i Active Tourer by the 4th quarter of 2014. It is also scheduled for duty in other future BMW products.

The B48 engine was heralded as a more efficient engine than the previous Prince engine that BMW co-developed with PSA Peugeot Citroen, however EPA fuel economy ratings fall well below the previous 1.6T engine. For example, the 3rd Generation Cooper S with manual transmission receives EPA fuel economy estimates of 23 city/32 highway, whereas the 2nd Generation Cooper S with roughly the same power, but from an engine 20% smaller, was rated 26 city/35 highway. Compared to the previous 1.6T, torque has increased from 192 lb-ft to 207 lb-ft. Peak torque is now available at 1250RPM. The 3rd generation (F56) Mini Cooper John Cooper Works model produces 228HP. The B48 engine continues to offer an overboost function which was also available on the Prince engine. This allows the engine to increase its torque to 221 lb·ft (300 N·m) in bursts of up to 20 seconds in the F56 Mini Cooper S.

Compared to the N18 Prince engine the B48 replaced the new engine has not been met with as much enthusiasm from automotive journalists. Some common complaints stem from a lack of top end power (power drops off sharply after 5500RPM), introduction of artificial sound generator to augment natural engine sound, and a less free-revving nature. Additionally, dyno testing by third party companies such as Burger Motorsports has revealed the B48 develops less horsepower and torque than the older Prince engine at most engine speeds. Automotive magazine MotorTrend tested a 2nd Generation Cooper S in 2007 and was able to accelerate from 0-60 in 6.2 seconds. Their testing of a new 3rd Generation Cooper S with B48 engine was only able to manage a 6.8 second time.

Specifications

Bore/Stroke: 82 mm/94.6 mm
Engine Size: 1998cc
Aspiration/Fuel Delivery: Turbocharged/Piezoelectric Direct Injection

Usage and output

References

• http://paultan.org/2014/02/25/bmws-new-2-0-litre-twinpower-turbo-engine-255hp-400nm/
• http://www.motoringfile.com/2013/09/05/minis-prince-engine-is-dead-enter-the-b37-b48/

External links

• The UnixNerd's BMW B48 engine page with photos, history and common problems.