AD&P; > November 2015 > NOTABLE
12
BMW Improves Powertrain with Water Injection
Although the carburetor that runs on water is the stuf of
urban myth, BMW has introduced the 2016 M4 GTS with
a 493-hp, 3.0-liter M TwinPower Turbo in-line six that
uses . . . water injection.
Yes, water.
No, this is not in place of the fuel.
Rather, the water is injected as a fne spray into the intake
manifold plenum chamber. It evaporates, thereby reducing
the temperature of the intake air by as much as 80°F (in
addition to the temperature reduction of the intercooler,
which is generally on the order of 160°F).
Cooler air is more dense, so the amount of oxygen
in the combustion mixture is increased, so there is a
higher mean combustion pressure, which translates into
optimized power and torque development.
→
p The 2016 BMW M4 GTS features a 493-hp, 3.0-liter
engine with a water injection system. Water is injected
as a fne mist into the intake manifold plenum where
it evaporates and reduces the ambient temperature of
the air, thereby providing a means by which combustion
can be improved for greater performance. This is said to
be the frst application in a production vehicle of such
a system.