If you’re a fan of diesel performance, then BMW’s->ke178 current Tri-turbo diesel has been on your radar. You can’t really hate an Inline, 3.0-liter diesel that puts out 381 horsepower and 546 pound-feet of torque. By using the combination of different sized turbochargers and precise timing, BMW was able to reduce turbo lag enough to provide instant throttle response and acceleration. If that wasn’t good enough for you, just wait until you hear the rumor about BMW’s next diesel engine.

Rumor has it that the next diesel powered, 3.0-liter engine will produce somewhere between 390 and 400 horsepower. We aren’t sure how similar it will be, or if it will share any parts with the current 3.0, but our sources have indicated that it will have a total of four turbochargers. There are a couple different ways the engine could be configured. We could see a small, electric turbo and three other turbos – each stepped up in size and boost output. The other option would be to use four conventional, exhaust-driven turbos timed to operate in the same fashion as the current 3.0-liter. BMW has yet to provide any specifics on the engine, but we’ve been led to believe that it will debut in the 2016 BMW 750d.

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Why it matters

Considering we are expecting to see a horsepower gain of roughly 10 – 20 horsepower, I’m thinking BMW has likely re-engineered the current 3.0-liter and will add another small turbo. I think it will only be a slight improvement over the current 3.0, but I think BMW will likely remain conservative with the engine during its initial release. Should the quad-turbo engine prove to be reliable, I have a feeling we’ll see even more power come in subsequent years. It may be starting out in the 2016 BMW 7 Series, but I have a feeling we’ll also see it come in the 2014 BMW X5, 2015 BMW X6, and 2017 BMW X7 M50d. With any luck, BMW will bring this new quad-turbo diesel to U.S. shores.

2016 BMW 7 Series

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