With everyone focused on the new quad-turbo diesel engine that will be available on the 750d models starting this July, it’s easy to forget that the tri-turbo predecessor of that monster used to be the most powerful 3-liter diesel mill in the world. Until we actually get to drive the new powerplant, we decided to take a look back at how the N57S unit aboard the BMW X6 M50d used to handle itself.
We stumbled upon a video showcasing such a car going from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a rush. According to BMW, this sprint should take just 5.2 seconds aboard the 381 HP monster which makes the M Performance model a proper ballistic rocket down the road. Thanks to the 740 Nm (546 lb-ft) of torque, the monster can then keep up at an impressive pace up to its 250 km/h (155 mph) limited top speed. That’s noticeable in the video below too, as reaching 100 mph doesn’t seem that hard.
Once the new B57 mill comes out, the M50d models will be fitted with it, even though BMW didn’t mention it loud and clear. With four turbochargers, 400 HP and 760 Nm (560 lb-ft) of torque, we imagine the new X6 M Performance model will be dropping under the 5 second mark for the 0-100 km/h (62 mph) sprint. That will put it within reaching distance of the xDrive50i version which accelerates to the benchmark speed in 4.8 seconds thanks to its 450 HP.
The new engine does bring a more than just the added turbo to the mix, while also keeping some vital parts intact from the unit it’s replacing. For example, the cylinder head and crankcase are manufactured in a special high-pressure compression process. Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) ensure the aluminum castings are particularly strong. On the other hand, the new unit has a maximum injection pressure of 2,500 bar which is higher than ever before, for more efficiency and power. All in all, the old N57S served us well so far but we can’t wait to see how the new B57 diesel will do from now on.
