Getting to know more about BMW M Performance Automobiles

With the hype of the new BMW X6 M50d and X5 M50d arriving here, we packed a few questions for the Regional Manager of M Performance, Philipp Grubelnig (PG), to find out more about how the cars will fit in here in Singapore. More importantly, we get technical with Philipp to better understand how the tri-turbo works for the two new hyper beasts.

SGCM: We have seen the success of the marque and its M models in Singapore. How well do you think the M Performance Automobiles will fit into the local requirements?

PG: Singapore has a growing demand for high performance cars and this is evident from the success of our dedicated BMW M dealership, Munich Automobiles. Since its launch in 2010, we have sold 300 BMW M automobiles and this is an amazing success for us. BMW M cars are targeted at drivers who are passionate about racing and track activities and also high-performance cars with agility. So with the introduction of BMW M Performance Automobiles, we will be reaching out to a new category of drivers who want to have more performance, agility and emotion compared to the top end version of BMW Series models and maybe an intermediate step to becoming a BMW M drive in the future.

SGCM: The M cars have been highly regarded as the ride for purists and, like you said, for its agility and high performance. The M Performance slots in between the M and standard variants - do you think such a move will dilute M's image?

PG: The M Performance Automobiles' range are normal BMW cars that are based on the BMW Series model but have been enhanced by BMW M in terms of agility and performance, with greater power output, improved steering, better traction and an enhanced xDrive system while maintaining everyday usability and comfort. The M Performance Automobiles are a new product category of BMW M that will address the needs of customers with a higher level of sheer driving pleasure without losing its everyday driveability. Whereas the M cars are addressing customers who have their hearts for motorsports in an uncompromising way, which includes maximum agility and performance but, of course, M cars are more developed to the edge. In short, the M Performance Automobiles will help us to reach out to a customer niche that hasn't been addressed yet, offering high performance diesel engines that do not exist so far in Singapore. Hence, we think it's a niche that will be very well-received.

SGCM: Singapore has been late in the adoption of diesel-engined cars. Do you forsee this as a barrier for M Performance Automobiles?

PG: Actually we see the opposite. We don't see it as a disadvantage at all. This is especially so with the CEVS and the special diesel tax that will be introduced next year which will be an advantage for the introduction of diesel cars and we think that high-performance diesel engines will have a high growing demand in Singapore.

SGCM: For the technical side, we're using tri-turbo now. Other than to minimise lag, why the need for three turbos?

PG: There are two small turbochargers and a big one. At full acceleration from 0km/h to top speed, we have all three turbochargers engaged in different moments throughout the rev band, bringing you full power all the time. Coupled wth 700Nm of torque, which is on a 3.0-litre six-cyliner in-line diesel engine, it is absolutely unique in this world. And it is the only car in this world that has three turbochargers in an engine. Other than power and cutting off lag, the tri-turbo is also used for efficiency. The advantage of this engine is that comparing it to the V8 engine which we had years ago already, it's much lighter. Performance and efficiency is very important for us with this engine.

SGCM: But more importantly, how do the three turbochargers work?

PG: You have the first turbo, which is the smaller one, that engages when you start the car. Then as you accelerate, the second turbo, which is the bigger one, starts to support the first one to help realise the torque. Once you reach the higher revs, the third and last turbo, which is another small one, engages to ensure full, seamless acceleration.