BMW fans around the world keep telling us the company is trying to trick us into thinking TwinPower Turbo means twin-turbo when in fact it doesn't. However, there is one very awesome BMW engine that really is a twin-turbo, the N54 that came before the current twin-scroll N55.
It was expensive to make for BMW, which is why they replaced it with a simpler setup. But to the people who've already bought one, it only means their cars are that much more special.
The engine uses two small low-pressure turbochargers to remove turbo lag. Both run on very low boost pressure, 8.8 psi, in order to imitate he performance of an atmospheric unit. BMW says it makes 306 hp, but independent testing suggest it has as much as 330 hp in stock form. What's not to love?
Well, how about the sound. BMW wanted it to be refined and luxurious under normal conditions. Car spotter NM2255 suggested we should take a look at an aftermarket system from Supersprint. Different setups are available for the downpipes the dis (with and without catalytic converters) and the mufflers, which are available with more tip designs than we can possibly count.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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