- General
- April 28, 2019
- 6 minutes read
Comparing The BMW M121 And P48 Engines
BMW P48 Turbo engine image: BMW BMW has launched a new powerful engine — the P48 — that will make its…
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| BMW P48 Turbo engine
image: BMW
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BMW has launched a new powerful engine — the P48 — that will make its debut in the BMW M4 DTM race-car when this season’s Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) kicks off at the start of May. The new engine works thanks to BMW Turbo Power, an initiative that kicked off some 50 years ago.
Just like the P48, BMW debuted the M121 engine 50 years ago. But despite the long time difference, both engines are similar in some ways. They:
- Are both straight
- Have four-cylinder engines with a two-litre capacity
- Have turbo chargers
- Have sensitive engine components that must be protected by a heat shield from the heat emitted by the turbo charger
- Come with a mechanical injection pump that supplies the engine with fuel
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| BMW M121 Turbo engine
image: BMW
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| (Left-Right) BMW M121 Turbo engine and BMW P48 Turbo engine
image: BMW
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On the other hand, there are notable differences between both. Components like the wet sump, boost valve, fan, ignition distributor, and direct charge air pipe have disappeared in the P48. More efficient methods have been developed to perform the same functions at even better rates. For example, instead of a direct charge air pipe, the P48 makes use of a dry sump system.
Also, complementary tools like the starter and generator previously on the engine are no more but are mounted on a transaxle gearbox behind the engine. Likewise, Carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic has taken the place of the old aluminium weld-and-cast construction on the engine’s plenum chamber. The engine’s butterfly is now moved electrically and no longer via a mechanical throttle rod.
For info, here are some features of the new P48 engine:
- 85 kg weight
- More than 600hp power output
- More than 6,000 km (per season) service life
- 9,500 rpm max engine speed
- 1,999 cc capacity
- Four valves per cylinder, operated via rocker arm
- Steel camshafts, operated via gears
- A Steel crankshaft
- Cylinder block and cylinder head made from cast aluminium
It’s obvious the new P48 engine has come a long way from the M121 launched in 1969. The P48 will be making its debut soon, offering a chance to persons looking to see the engine put into use.
