BMW
today announced the industry’s first engine to combine direct petrol injection
with Valvetronic induction control.
The six-litre engine, unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show, develops over 300kW
(408bhp) and peak torque of around 600Nm (442 lb-ft). Like BMW’s new four cylinder
engines developed for the 3-series, the new V12 has four valves per cylinder and
fully-variable bi Vanos camshaft control, eliminating the conventional throttle
butterfly.
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BMW claims that the combination of direct petrol injection and the Valvetronic
system allows proven emission control technology with a conventional three-way
catalytic converter and lamba 1 fuel/air management. In an apparent reference
to Mitsubishi’s Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) technology (now effectively
owned by arch-rival DaimlerChrysler), BMW says its new V12 does not require
a special Denox catalyst and can therefore be used with all types of available
fuel, regardless of sulphur. Just-auto.com understands Mitsubishi had to delay
their first European GDI engine’s European launch (in the Dutch built Carisma)
for some time after the Japanese roll-out due to problems modifying the emission
control system to run satisfactorily on the high-sulphur-content unleaded fuel
prevalent on the Continent, and in the UK.
The V12 will be installed in 760i (standard wheelbase) and 760iL (long wheelbase)
versions of the new 7-series which will be launched in about a year’s time,
BMW officials said.
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