The B48 is mostly present in BMW cars with the 20i, 25i, 28i, and 30i badge numbers at the end of the model name. Some 35i cars made in 2019 and beyond have a higher output version of the B48. Along with the Toyota Supra, several Mini versions also feature it.
- 2016-2019 120i
- M35i (2019-present)
- 2016 until the present 220i/230i
- M235i (2019-present)
- 2017 and up 320i, 330i, and 330e
- 2017 and up 420i/430i
- 2018 and after 520i/530i
- 630i (2017-present)
- 2018 X1 20i, 25i, 28i, and 30i
- 2017-present X2 20i, M35i, 25i, 28i, 30i, and
- Present-day X3 20i, 30i, and 30e
- Z3 20i / 30i, 2018 till the present
- from 2019 forward Toyota Supra
In This Article...
The BMW B48 Engine is at its best in the Morgan Plus Four.
The “B48” engine, a 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder from BMW, is one of the model’s most popular powertrains. From the 2 Series Gran Coupe to the 530i and everything in between, the B48 is the engine of choice. But it’s not just found in BMWs; the Bavarian four-pot is also found in the Toyota Supra and Morgan Plus Four. The Morgan is the vehicle that utilizes it the best, according to Top Gear.
Staff members of Top Gear are fortunate to have a Morgan Plus Four with a manual transmission in a beautiful shade of mint green as part of their permanent press fleet. Since we Americans don’t have the Morgan Plus Four, we must live vicariously through our European counterparts. But in doing so, we’ve discovered that Morgan’s B48 engine is the most enjoyable one yet.
The Plus Four does, of course, have some unique advantages that no other BMW possesses. It stands apart from the rest of the array of BMW products right away since it is a two-seat roadster with a manual transmission (although an eight-speed auto is also an option). Additionally, it features an exhaust that is fruitier and more thrilling, albeit it is probably tuned down for BMW customers who want a quieter sound. Because the Plus Four is significantly lighter than any BMW powered by the B48 engine, its moderate power is seen to be more potent.
It’s also highly efficient, claims Top Gear. On interstate runs, they were able to earn over 50 mpg, which is fantastic for a two-seat roadster sports vehicle that can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. The Morgan Plus Four still achieves high-30 mpg in the worst-case scenario. Therefore, if you’re willing to put up with its small interior, you could commute or even drive to work every day in the Plus Four and have excellent fuel efficiency.
Our British coworkers who get to drive Morgans have our utmost envy. Although there are a few Morgan press trucks circulating in the United States, finding one is very challenging. Therefore, the likelihood of us ever testing one is at best remote. It’s a shame since, from what we hear, it’s a fantastic car that utilizes the BMW engine more effectively than BMW.
M35i Models With Updated BMW B48 Engine Could Produce 315 HP
For prospective M35i vehicles based on front-wheel-drive platforms, BMW is reportedly working on a slightly more potent variation of the B48 engine, which it has been utilizing since 2014. Although the current M135i, X2 M35i, and M235i Gran Coupe have 302 horsepower available, it appears the engineers have found a way to squeeze out an extra 13 horsepower for a total of 315 horsepower.
As the crossover is sure to receive an X1 M35i xDrive derivative slated to use the enhanced turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, the first-ever M Performance version of the X1 will lead the way. The information was obtained by well-known BMW insider ynguldyn from the BimmerPost forums, and given his track record, there is reason to believe the B48 will receive yet another improvement.
Although the report doesn’t mention it, the three M Performance variants have a significant 332 pound-feet of torque. It will be interesting to observe whether the torque curve or peak will change as a result of the redesigned B48. When BMW unveils the X1 M35i, we’ll know for sure.
Spy images of the X1 M35i already show prototypes sporting the more aggressive arrangement, which will correlate with the increase in output for M Performance vehicles. In a nod to the Audi S3 Sportback, the facelifted M135i hot hatchback has also been spotted in testing with four exhaust tips.
Later on, the revised B48 engine will be installed in the next-generation X2, which is anticipated to begin production in November 2023 and once again offer an M35i version. There is no information available regarding a replacement for the current 2 Series Gran Coupe, whose manufacture is rumored to cease in October 2024. However, there is still plenty of time to make the change to the more robust four-pot.
Chronology
The B48 is a three, four, or six cylinder engine that shares common technologies and manufacturing tools with the BMW modular engine series. The superb three-cylinder B38 has changed the perception that four-cylinder engines are the entry-level models in the line; instead, four-cylinder engines have risen up market.
In 2014 for MINI and in 2015 for BMW, the B48 was introduced. It took the place of the N20.0 in BMW vehicles. It is more efficient than the N13/N18 “Prince” engines that were utilized in some smaller BMWs and MINIs.
Is the B58 engine in the BMW 540i?
A new version of BMW’s well-known B58 engine, which will power a number of sub-M performance cars, is currently being prepared.
The 3.0 liter turbocharged straight-six that the German carmaker has been producing since 2015 will be replaced by the new engine, which will be known as the M58B30M2.
The current engine produces 335 horsepower and is used in a variety of BMW vehicles, including the X5 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive40i, 540i, 640i, 740i, and 840i. A modified version, which is capable of 382 horsepower, also drives vehicles including the Toyota Supra, Z4 M40i, M340i, X3 M40i, X4 M40i, M440i, and M240i.
According to a rumor from BMW Blog, the upgraded B58 engine will increase upon the current 335 horsepower model and produce roughly 370 hp. It’s interesting to note that dyno testing of the outgoing B58 has shown that BMW understates its power statistics and that it actually produces about 335 horsepower at the wheels, not the crank. As a result, it’s plausible that the new 370 hp engine is actually more potent than that.
BMW will also swap out the aforementioned 382 horsepower model with its improved B58 engine. According to BMW Blog, this straight-six engine will likely have approximately 400 horsepower and gain from a number of other improvements to improve its thermal management while also making it more responsive and effective. A bigger turbocharger and a modified intake manifold are two improvements that are believed to have been introduced.
It is yet unknown which BMW vehicles will be equipped with the new B58 engine, but according to BMW Blog, the 540i and 740i will likely be among the first.
What factory makes the BMW B48 engine?
The BMW Steyr facility is already accepting orders for the new BMW modular engines. The new B family of engines will be used in almost every model in the BMW portfolio, whether for the front wheel drive longitudinal configuration or horizontally crosswise like in the i8.
The primary benefit of the new engines is that they can be produced on the same line as the even more cost-effective three-cylinder BMW B37 (diesel) and B38 engines, which have four cylinders. Numerous common components offer considerable benefits in component purchasing and adaptable responses to demand fluctuations of individual motors, as well as great possibilities for cost reductions.
5,500 engines for BMW Group vehicles will be produced every day at the Steyr BMW facility. The largest engine factory for the BMW Group is in Austria. BMW invested 90 million Euros in Steyr alone in 2013 to set up the work for the manufacturing of modular engines.
Four basic engines can now be created on a single assembly line, one of which can be produced with additional power derivatives. When there is a need for an engine, the manufacturing of individual motors can be flexible and increase to satisfy that demand or decrease to make room for the production of other types.
There are roughly 60% identical parts between three and four cylinder engines using the same combustion technique, and at least 40% across gasoline and diesel engines. The aluminum crankcase, cable and wire connectors, and positioning of parts like the turbocharger are all the same for the BMW modular family’s gasoline and diesel engines.
What automobiles feature B48 engines?
Since its introduction in 2014, the BMW B48’s turbocharged inline-four petrol engine has taken the position of the BMW N20. It debuted in the F56 Mini Hatch, and since 2015, BMW has employed it in applications.
The B48 engine was released when?
The Hiroshima Industrial Promotion Organization carried out a vehicle breakdown examination of the BMW 320i M Sport as a benchmarking effort between January and February 2020. This article describes the general layout and key components of the modern modular engine used in the BMW 320i.
BMW developed and produced engines using the modular engine family idea, and in 2013 the B48 modular engine was the first to hit the market. The idea behind the design is to modularize the bore, stroke, and form of the combustion chamber of the engine, with each engine’s displacement directly correlated to the number of cylinders/combustion chambers. The B48 is specifically a member of the modular BMW family of three gasoline engines that were released onto the market and employ a 500 cc per cylinder displacement: 1.5L for 3-cylinder, 2.0L for 4-cylinder, and 3.0L for 6-cylinder engines. The business hoped to greatly streamline its research, production, and parts procurement processes with this idea.
The next-generation modular engine family’s manufacture started two years ago, after these engines underwent a model revision. The B48 2.0L inline 4-cylinder engine, the main gasoline engine in this family, is very competitive in terms of fuel efficiency, emissions, and performance. It was the target of this benchmarking activity.
What automobiles feature the B46 engine?
The BMW 330i/430i (and other 30i similar vehicles in the lineup) will be powered by the future B46 engine, which is detailed in its whole technical manual (PDF) here.
Compared to inline-6 applications, the engine bay layout appears to be a complete dream to work on in the event of a problem. Everything appears to be accessible after the air box and snorkel are taken off.
This engine has a transverse mounting and was designed for minis and the X1. Consequently, not for the 330i.
I believe it will have a transversely mounted engine since that BMW has dropped the N20 and is using the B46 engine in its whole lineup.
Actually, I’m not even sure. LOL I thought there was another topic detailing the use of the B48 in the 330/430i BMWs, however the main post states that B46 is used in all 30i BMWs.
The N20 was in my F30, and the B46 is presently in my X1. It’s challenging to evaluate because the applications are so dissimilar, but I think it’s a little bit quieter and more effective at cold idle. Enjoy it.
If BMW actually reduced reduce noise output, I think I would consider that a tremendous victory and improvement. Even though the 428i Gran Coupe owned by my relative is a great vehicle, the engine is noisy and chattery when the car is first started.
It seems to be the case. There are various Mini forums that discuss the differences if you search. Except for the JCW, which still has the B48, it appears that the F5x Minis, which formerly came with the B48, now have the B46.
The B48 comes in two different iterations. one for the transversal application and one for the longitudinal application.