BMW TriTurbo Engine, X5 Performance Diesel Update

Back in April 2009, an interesting piece of information hit the web: German carmaker BMW is planning a triturbo diesel engine for the X5 SUV. Now, less than a year from that moment, the rumors grow in intensity, as some info even points to the models on which the new engine will be fitted: BMW X5 xDrive45d and X6 xDrive45d.

The likely moment of the unveiling for the new technology is, according to BMWblog, the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, a million years from now...The two new models will thus join the X5 xDrive40d announced yesterday as an exclusive model for the European market.

Back to the triturbo, the engine will develop 354 horsepower and will first be used on a high performance diesel version of the X5. It will be bulked up with all of the company's technologies, including EfficientDynamics, Start-Stop systems and Brake Energy Regeneration (KERS).

An inside source told BMWblog the new models will have less pronounced wheel arches than on the M version of the X5, but the overall aerodynamic performance package follows the same basic cues. Some type of subtle spoilers for air flow are said to be fitted at the leading edge of the bumper. At the back, two larger and more exposed performance exhaust pipes will be visible.

The news about the X5 with the triturbo end here, but the story of the engine itself is likely to continue. Rumors point to the use of the triturbo in other models from BMW, including the next generation 5 Series and 7 Series.

If you got all excited while reading all the above, keep in mind that BMW admitted to nothing about the triturbo so far.