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      04-16-2011, 12:06 AM   #1
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Post MT's First Drive Review of BMW Turbo 4-cylinder X1 xDrive28i

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MT's First Drive Review of BMW Turbo 4-cylinder X1 xDrive28i
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Reviews of BMW's Twinpower Turbo 2.0L inline 4-cylinder Motor (N20) are currently limited to drives of the X1 xDrive28i as that is only model being powered by the N20 thus far. However, BMW has just announced that the first US model to feature the N20 turbo 4-cyl motor will be the 2012 Z4 sDrive28i.

Motor Trend now shares their first impressions of the x1 xDrive28i and its new turbo 4 cylinder heart.

In comparing (on paper) the turbo N20 to the naturally aspirated 6-cylinder engine it replaces, the advantages are many:

Quote:
Zero-to-60 mph acceleration actually drops by 0.7 seconds, BMW says, to just 6.1 seconds. Average fuel consumption, as measured on the European cycle, improves by 5 miles per gallon to 30 mpg average. CO2 emissions drop by 35 grams per kilometer."

That's not bad for a smaller, less-powerful engine, at least from a pure horsepower perspective. BMW's new turbo 2.0 puts out 241 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The virtue of the trade-off in horsepower and torque comes in the delivery. Both engines have nearly identical horsepower curves, but the four-cylinder peaks 2000 RPM earlier and holds it to redline, whereas the six didn't peak until the 7000 RPM redline. In fact, until 6000 RPM, the four-cylinder is actually making more power than the six at any given RPM. The torque curves are even more interesting. Where the six built up to its peak torque at 3000 rpm then tapered off slightly, the turbo four hits peak torque at 1300 RPM and holds it to 5000 RPM before tapering off.
Of the real world feel of the N20, MT says:

Quote:
The real-world result is, quite predictably, that the turbo four feels more powerful off the line and while accelerating in gear from low RPM. Both in town and on the highway, the new four-cylinder feels faster than the old six-cylinder without giving up any of the smoothness. The power and delivery are very well-matched to the vehicle and make it a great daily driver. For the average driver, it's perfect, but for the enthusiast, it's a bit of a letdown. Winding out the inline-six made the X1 nearly as fun to drive as a lower-trim 3 Series. But then, enthusiasts won't be angling for an X1 -- they'll just buy the 3 Series, so it's a moot point. The six-speed manual is nice, too, but as I'm sure you've already guessed, we won't be getting that in America. We didn't drive the eight-speed automatic model, but experience with other BMWs tells us it's a fine transmission and we don't expect any issues.
Catch the entire review at Motor Trend


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      04-19-2011, 11:25 AM   #2
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pretty cool..thought about getting one
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      04-19-2011, 11:30 AM   #3
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It always seems that everybody compares 0-60 times in Northa America. Rather than comparing horse power and torque curves like always, why not discuss how the X1 now handles better with the N20?

The Balance of the car now seems better and turn in is much nicer due to the placement of the N20 in the engine bay. It's so far back and no longer straddling the front axel like the N52.

If you're going to drive a car and write a review, then write an actual review. Don't just list facts that everybody already knows. This is a weak article.
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      04-19-2011, 11:50 AM   #4
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should of also bolded this text, IMHO

Quote:
For the average driver, it's perfect, but for the enthusiast, it's a bit of a letdown. Winding out the inline-six made the X1 nearly as fun to drive as a lower-trim 3 Series.
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      04-19-2011, 12:27 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff_DML View Post
should of also bolded this text, IMHO
LOL now since when do enthusiasts really drive the soccer mom X1s??????
Real enthusiasts can fork out the extra dough to get the turbo I6s
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      04-19-2011, 12:32 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by theshiningnova View Post
LOL now since when do enthusiasts really drive the soccer mom X1s??????
Real enthusiasts can fork out the extra dough to get the turbo I6s
they are talking about the engine not the car will be available in the Z4 and I assume the F30 3 series
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      04-19-2011, 12:54 PM   #7
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Quote:
For the average driver, it's perfect, but for the enthusiast, it's a bit of a letdown. Winding out the inline-six made the X1 nearly as fun to drive as a lower-trim 3 Series. But then, enthusiasts won't be angling for an X1 -- they'll just buy the 3 Series, so it's a moot point.
I've got to strongly disagree with this part, for two reasons:

1) In the US, there will be no more 3 series wagon after MY2012 so the X1 will in fact be the only option for those who need the added cargo space in a this size vehicle.

2) Even if the wagon were to remain an option in the US with the new F3x 3 series, the naturally aspirated inline six will in fact be replaced by the turbo 4 in this application as well.

And as we now well now, due to delays, the X1 is not going to be offered here until late this year at the earliest, and probably early next. So we will never be given the opportunity to weigh an N20-powered X1 against an N52-powered E91 here in the US - the two will not overlap each other in production but for perhaps a couple months at most, and quite possibly not at all.
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      04-19-2011, 01:03 PM   #8
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less powerful???? don't think so!

the article quotes

That's not bad for a smaller, less-powerful engine, at least from a pure horsepower perspective. BMW's new turbo 2.0 puts out 241 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.

but the fact is, the inline 6 puts out 230 hp and 200 ft/lbs

here are the figures from bmwusa.com

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...fications.aspx

Engine
Liter/type 3.0/inline 6
Nominal output hp 230 @ 6500
Max. torque 200 ft/lbs @ 2750

In my book the new 4 cylinder engine is more powerful from any angle you look at it.

this is a very big oversight, if you want any credibility at least get the facts straight. this is very embarrassing.
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      04-19-2011, 01:07 PM   #9
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MT says:

"For the average driver, it's perfect, but for the enthusiast, it's a bit of a letdown. Winding out the inline-six made the X1 nearly as fun to drive as a lower-trim 3 Series."

IMO, that is nothing more than the kind of nonsense opinion automotive journalists write to stir up controversy and sell more magazines.

The new engine accelerates quicker, uses less gas and is more tractable. What's not to like about it? My last car before the 135i was a G35 Coupe. It had a cool exhaust note, but it sounded like it was going to blow up when it was run through the gears hard. The N55 totally blows it away and does it without making a lot of noise. Give me a turbo any day.
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      04-19-2011, 01:27 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Diver View Post
The new engine accelerates quicker, uses less gas and is more tractable. What's not to like about it?

While these are nice, they do not comprise the full spectra of fun to drive BMW. There is simply more to the equation
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      04-19-2011, 01:28 PM   #11
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Will the x1 not be offered with an N55 in the states?
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      04-19-2011, 01:53 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by e90m3_6MT View Post
less powerful???? don't think so!

...

this is a very big oversight, if you want any credibility at least get the facts straight. this is very embarrassing.
Ease up a bit, man. The author was comparing it to the version of the N52 that had previously been available in this same vehicle - the X1. In that application it made 258hp (similar to the N52 in the Z4, which is also about to be replaced by the N20 as well).
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      04-19-2011, 01:57 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Imola.ZHP View Post
Will the x1 not be offered with an N55 in the states?
Probably not. Although the author mentions the possibility of an "si" model (or whatever) with the N55 engine, I think that is just speculation. For now, I would say the smart money is on the X1 essentially sharing the engine lineup with the F20 1 series, and as we know from SCOTT, that will be an all four cylinder lineup.

I still think BMW has more up their sleeve for the N20 later. I expect a ~280hp version will follow in a couple years. If Hyundai/Kia can do it, so can BMW.
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      04-19-2011, 01:58 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Imola.ZHP View Post
Will the x1 not be offered with an N55 in the states?
Haha you'll be lucky if you get an X1 at all. BMW USA is too cheap to pay up for them. That's why you don't have them. BMW USA keeps stating that there is not enough to go around.

Since when does Canada get a vehicle before the US? Never, that's when. Plus globally there is way more in stock than what is currently selling. BMW USA still can't agree on a price.

I would just hope that you get an X1 at all before asking for an N55.
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      04-19-2011, 02:06 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hcourville View Post
It's so far back and no longer straddling the front axel like the N52.
Yeah, I noticed all that extra room now.
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      04-19-2011, 03:19 PM   #16
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great engine,cool
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      04-19-2011, 04:19 PM   #17
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This engine is for sure a big plus for BMW lineup.
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      04-19-2011, 07:50 PM   #18
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Yes, but...

BMW can surely make a wonderful turbo 4, and a wonderful car built around one. And BMW can surely make a turbo 4 that outperforms a naturally aspirated 6 in this way or that. But we all know that for many years the soul of BMW -- for good reason -- has been its naturally aspirated straight 6. There will always be a special joy in that engine...
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      04-19-2011, 08:04 PM   #19
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Back when it all started, the soul of BMW was the 2-liter four that came in the 2002. Nice cars back in the day that were simple, lightweight, fun to drive, and affordable. I see it as BMW coming to grips with reality, as tightening emissions and fuel consumption requirements mean a four makes a lot of sense in some applications.
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      04-19-2011, 09:14 PM   #20
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This is such a lame review, you can almost see the instructions going through the reviewer's mind: "Must..make new engine..sound better than old"
Such c*** I don't even know where to start..
"Both engines have nearly identical horsepower curves, but the four-cylinder peaks 2000 RPM earlier and holds it to redline, whereas the six didn't peak until the 7000 RPM redline"
Uh.. that's like saying feces tastes good.
What should have been said is:
"The four-cylinder peaks at a woeful 5000rpm (actually, its probably even sooner ) and feels like a slug never quite making it out of hibernation, whereas the six rises gloriously to its lofty peak of 7000rpm whilst bringing the driver to a galactical orgasm of driving nirvana."
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      04-20-2011, 07:56 AM   #21
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Smaller engine + turbos

This engine is giving e90 330i performance. The best thing is that it's using turbos, so there is room for performance increases
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      04-20-2011, 08:11 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mkoesel View Post

1) In the US, there will be no more 3 series wagon after MY2012 so the X1 will in fact be the only option for those who need the added cargo space in a this size vehicle.
Just when I thought sport wagons were gaining some traction in the US. If I could've gotten a 335d Touring, I would have. All these "crossovers" just look stupid.


Bummer.
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