RJC

3 liters and 258 hp, very impressive from a 3.0. The engine is supposed to be the lightest in the world. CLK 350 can't come too soon.


Powered by the world’s lightest six-cylinder engine
BMW Great Britain has announced the introduction of the new 630i with the world’s lightest six-cylinder engine under the bonnet. Powered by an all-new 3.0-litre straight-six engine featuring VALVETRONIC technology and made from magnesium and aluminium composite, the 630i goes on sale in September 2004.

Available in both Coupé and Convertible guises from launch, the 630i develops 258bhp at 6,600rpm, increased by 12 per cent compared to the current 3.0-litre petrol unit. Maximum torque is 300Nm and this is available from just 2,500rpm up to 4,000rpm with the redline starting at a heady 7,000rpm.


On the road this power translates into a zero to 62mph time of 6.5 seconds (6.7 seconds for an automatic) in the Coupé and 6.9 seconds (7.2 seconds) in the Convertible. Top speed on all versions is limited to 155mph. Even with this performance, the 630i posts frugal consumption figures of 31.4mpg (29.7mpg) for the Coupé and 29.4mpg (28.5mpg) for the Convertible. This represents a 12 per cent increase in BMW 3.0-litre petrol engine efficiency.


The EU4 compliant 3.0-litre engine, which features the world’s first electric water pump to keep the block cool for increased efficiency, will appear in future BMW models. However details regarding this will be released at a later date.

Harris

Just curious....why did you post this on a Mercedes forum? and why did you post this on a CLK forum? IMO, the new 5, 6, 7 series are just freaking ugly.

DTMCLK

BMW continues the tradition of impressive 3L V6 engine. I would love the next generation 3/4 coupe to have this engine available and I will definitely purchase one.

Thanks for the info

Cheers

RJC

Did you read the upper subject line? The 3.0 6 series will be a competitor to the CLK W209. BMW and MB "comps" are very common here.

clkhunting

BMW is a great innovator with NA engines. I had an E46 M3 and I loved that car. The SMG transmission was awesome. I am anxiously awaiting to see what they do with the next generation M cars.

Thanks for the info.

RJC

The next M3 is supposed to have a 4.4 lite v8 at 400+hp. If true then the new 06 CLK AMG with the 6.3 will be a good match.

I agree BMW does a great job in the engine dept and gets much more power from smaller more efficient engines. I do like the idea of the larger less stressed MB engines especially the new ones coming out.

FInality

I do find it pretty unusual that the 3.0 liter engine could push ~260 bhp I would have estimated it at more around the 240 bhp mark. Unless of course this is going to be another torqueless wonder?

RJC

The variable cam,valve and intake systems help the trq.

The torque is quoted in neuton meters, do you or anyone know the converstion to lb ft?

FInality

300 nM = 220 lb/ft of torque. Guess its not as bad as I thought.

MBToGoNow

However, that would only be 6 lb-ft more then the current BMW 3.0L engine and 2 lb-ft less than the current 3.0L ZHP. Nothwithstanding, I agree with Harris that the new BMW's of late are ugly, especially compared to the elegance of the MB's.

VAHAGN MB

performance wise,, awww BMW towers over MBZ,, howerver,, mercedes has nicer looking cars,, but i think the 745Li 's are way better looking than the S class,, and have more features and performance is way supperior,

RJC

Perhaps the peak trq comes in a lower revs and is flatter across the range compared to the current 3.0

mis3

In my opinion, I think the 7-series are great looking cars but not the 5-series. The 5-series are just OK.

I was in a BMW dealership last week an di was surprised how poorly designed were their interiors. The interiors of the 7, 6 and 5 series are similar and they are just too plain. Nothing luxury or elegant about it. Sorry, they reminded me of an old American cars.

MBToGoNow

The new Bimmers have the iDrive that takes away most of the buttons leaving you with a bland plain jane interior with few buttons/knobs. It's a good thing MB is not following BMW's awkward design direction.

Holson

- maybe they'll throw it in the E46 body too? *wishful thinking* - hope the next 3 won't be ugly hehe

I've always loved BMW I-6 motors. Even though I'm not a fan of the noise that the S54 motor makes (E46 M3's)

BTW, I think 6-series is gorgeous

GLisella

All I know is that the Six series coupe is sick, absolutely sick.

BenzVince

I already knew that months ago, when it was publish in the Motor Trend mag. The only changes were from a iron block to an all alumiunm block. I'm really surprise that BMW took that long to go to Alumiunm since almost every car manufacture already done this years ago.

ZAF

For those interested in the 2006 E90 3 series here you go
http://www.geocities.com/zaf3000/e90.zip

its a Zip file containing a PDF catalog of the new 3 series sedan enjoy. (engine specs are there )

Ben'sCLK

Firstly its a nice engine and since they can get 343BHP from 3.2 the 258BHP from a 3.0 isn't all that hard for them. They ARE the masters of the In-Line 6 cylinder, by the way they dont make V6's ! Although they are having a lot of engine failure with the M3 in Europe.

I wonder will they have the reliabilty issues they had when they first used alloy blocks.

Also Renault used an electric water pump in the Clio 16V in 1992 !

But like they guys said, new BMW's are pure ugly.......all of 'em !

clkhunting

I thought it was 333HP out of a 3.3 litre...

Ben'sCLK

Its rated at 343BHP in Europe..........does that count ?

clkhunting

Brake horsepower is measured at the output shaft (usually the crankshaft) rather than at the driveshaft or the wheels. Thus, none of the auxiliaries (gearbox, generator, alternator, differential, water pump, etc.) are attached. It is called the brake horsepower because the shaft power is usually measured by an absorption dynamometer or "brake." This is not the brake on the vehicle's wheels but a testing device applied to the shaft. This instrument is applied to stop or absorb the rotation of the output shaft and returns a value. HP will be less because of the loss of the driveshaft.

Ben'sCLK

Yes I am aware of the measurement but a possible explaination is the Euro cars put out slightly more BHP. This has been the case in the past although I think most manufacturers now conform to worlwide emission regs !