Today we’re picking up where yesterday’s blog left off. After having refreshed our minds of BMW’s standard engine choices, it’s now time to take a closer look at the diesel and performance powerplants.

Unfortunately in Canada we’re limited to only one diesel option and that’s the X5 xDrive35d. Powered by a 3.0 litre 6 cylinder producing 265 hp/ 425 lb-ft of torque, this workhorse demands very little (9.4 L/100 km combined) while producing plenty (0-100 km/h in 7.4s.). The beauty of the Variable Twin Turbo in-line 6 lies in its monumental torque figures that allows for fast overtaking manoeuvres. Even though us North Americans literally missed the boat on numerous desirable BMW diesels, we can at least be happy that the one engine we did receive was one of their very best. Evidence of its greatness is Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear pronouncing the 535d Touring the best and most beautiful car in the world.

Since the M3’s mighty V8 is in its last production year and the 1M’s modified twin turbocharged N54 in-line 6 was short-lived, we’ll only touch on the now world famous 555+ horsepower S63 engine. You can find, hear, and feel it in the X5 M, X6 M, new M5, and recently announced new M6. The 4.4 litre V8 is characterized by its TwinScroll turbocharging technology that virtually illuminates turbo lag and allows for early maximum power delivery. The always available 560 hp and 502 lb-ft of torque make for lightning quick launches (0-100 km/h in 4.4s. for the M5 and 4.7s. for the X5 M) and a quickly reached electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h. However, since BMW is known to underreport their performance numbers we have absolutely no problem in believing the independently claimed sub-4 second sprints to 100 km/h. It is also important to note that the S63 engine in the M5 and M6 received several enhancements over the S63 engine found in the X5 M and X6 M. The most notable changes are a 7 speed dual-clutch transmission, throttle-less Valvetronic induction control, larger turbos and intercoolers, different injectors and control electronics, a higher compression ratio of 10.0:1, a higher redline, and a modest horsepower and torque increase.

Hopefully we’ll soon be able to feel the changes made to the S63 engine by way of driving the new M5. Absolutely everyone at Endras BMW is anxious to welcome the 4-door saloon that the world press is calling “the perfect car”. If you’re as anxious to see more of the M5, then keep a close eye on the blog as our readers will be the first to know when they start arriving at our dealership.

• If you’d like to place an order, test drive, or inquire about any new BMW model please call (905) 619-5522 or send an email to info@endrasbmw.com to be put in touch with a sales advisor.