# BMW's New Electirc Turbo (Tripple Turbo) \*Now Diesel\* **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [November 2, 2011, 11:17am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmws-new-electirc-turbo-tripple-turbo-now-diesel/218017 "2011-11-02T11:17:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Onyx\_Z32](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/onyx_z32/32/7581_2.png) [@Onyx\_Z32](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Onyx_Z32)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2011, 11:17am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmws-new-electirc-turbo-tripple-turbo-now-diesel/218017/1 "2011-11-02T11:17:20Z")
Potential for the next M3? > Rather than using a wastegate to hold back the speed of the turbine, the electric motor-generator kicks into _generate_ mode. The resulting electrical current flows back to the battery (or, potentially, to a supercapacitor), while the additional load from the generator regulates turbine speed. > If it works, the system will let smaller engines produce more power, while performing virtually lag-free. > Details for the engineers here: > ![http://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=592128&d=1318441606](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/c/4/c4d2bf9392de4e495ebf97aefbc9b8d9078dcd70.jpeg)BMW Patents Its Electric Turbocharger Technology. Could See Tri-Turbo Application. > 44 > replies > Turbochargers are a popular technology in the automotive world as of late. It allows rather low displacement engines to have relatively high power outputs, while also managing to return fairly good fuel consumption figures (on paper). > Despite the technology being decades old, some of its drawbacks could still be improved upon. One of these issues is the well-known problem of turbo size. A smaller turbine spools up quicky but runs out of steam at higher revs while a bigger turbine offers enough power at high revs but often is too slow at lower revs which results in turbo lag. > BMW has now patented its own idea on how to address these issues, and it involves the use of an often rumored “ **electric turbocharger** ”. > We reported before that BMW has considered (or may still be considering) the use of an electric turbocharger as part of a potential tri-turbo 6-cylinder engine for the next generation F80 M3 (the latest rumors lean towards a bi-turbo V6 as the new M3’s powerplant). While we still don’t know if the next gen M3 will be powered by an engine with an electric turbocharger, we do now know how such an electric turbocharger would be implemented, courtesy of a patent application BMW submittted to the German patent office. > First, here’s an explanation of the electric turbo’s individual parts (as labeled in the diagrams): > > 1. turbo layout > 2. turbine > 2’) turbine axle > 3. compressor > 3’) compressor axle > 4. **electric motor (and alternator)** > 5. turbo axle > 6. (turbine axle) clutch > 7. (compressor axle) clutch > 8. gearing > ![http://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=598707&d=1319581154](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/c/2/c22bd6099b8215fb70b59c97ef37932f804dbbc6.jpeg) > > We’ve highlighted and colored the following schematic diagrams to show how the technology works: > Unlike a traditional mechanical turbo layout, (exhaust) turbine and (intake) compressor aren’t fixed on the same axle. Via the clutches #6 and #7 both the turbine and the compressor can be uncoupled from the turbine axle (#5). When the engine is idling or coasting, both clutches are open and an electric motor (#4) can operate without any load. Via gearing (#8) the speed of of the e-motor and the turbo axle can be further adjusted. > ![http://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=598708&d=1319581154](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/3/3/33d25c2c304f6abd43c743b1aee09a33ecdd2b40.jpeg) > > If the driver steps on the pedal the clutch (#7) closes and connects the electric motor (#4) to the compressor (#3). Due to the inertia of the (running!) electric motor, the compressor spools up quickly and compresses enough air to make for a fast engine response, which results in less lag. The turbine (#2) which wouldn’t be able to spool up the compressor quickly enough is decoupled due to the clutch (#6) still being open. > ![http://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=598709&d=1319581154](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/0/8/0888563a7e13e14f9f9c1a913115643c5ab490fe.jpeg) > > Once the turbine (#2) has reached a certain speed, the clutch (#6) closes and both the turbine and the electric engine are used to run the compressor (#3). > ![http://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=598710&d=1319581154](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/d/f/df7e2582d9b21802cfafa11b0bb454d7855cc6f7.jpeg) > > When maximum boost is reached, the electric motor switches to an alternator mode, generates power for the battery, and avoids the turbine exceeding a certain speed. This renders a wastegate needless and ensures sure no energy from the turbine is wasted. If the driver backs off the accelerator, both clutches (#6, #7) open and the electric motor can continue running without any load from the turbine or the compressor. > **According to BMW’s patent application, this invention makes for a great engine response, particularly during the transition from idling to load. It also renders a wastegate needless and adds efficiency. We can’t tell if this technology will actually make it into the next M3, but this sounds amazing without any doubt.** Thanks to klaus kneip for his tips! [http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=597327](http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=597327) ---
**Author:** ![Anonymity](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/anonymity/32/7215_2.png) [@Anonymity](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Anonymity)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2011, 11:34am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmws-new-electirc-turbo-tripple-turbo-now-diesel/218017/2 "2011-11-02T11:34:58Z")
in the buss, I have worked with a type of electro magnate unit. ---
**Author:** ![Jim1234664](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jim1234664/32/7438_2.png) [@Jim1234664](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jim1234664)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2011, 1:00pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmws-new-electirc-turbo-tripple-turbo-now-diesel/218017/3 "2011-11-02T13:00:04Z")
sounds awesome on paper, and I would love it on a lease but owning one out of warranty? I predict a lot of failed turbo clutches that cant be replaced individually. and I also see $5000 electromagnetic replacement turbos ---
**Author:** ![dftsilvia](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/dftsilvia/32/7447_2.png) [@dftsilvia](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dftsilvia)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2011, 1:14pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmws-new-electirc-turbo-tripple-turbo-now-diesel/218017/4 "2011-11-02T13:14:41Z")
doesnt dodge u something like this with their variable vein turbos?? or is that completely different? ---
**Author:** ![KuntryQuestTSi](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/kuntryquesttsi/32/5010_2.png) [@KuntryQuestTSi](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/KuntryQuestTSi)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2011, 2:48pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmws-new-electirc-turbo-tripple-turbo-now-diesel/218017/5 "2011-11-02T14:48:17Z")
> [@dftsilvia](#): > > doesnt dodge u something like this with their variable vein turbos?? or is that completely different? Totally different. ---
**Author:** ![XwalkerX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/xwalkerx/32/7598_2.png) [@XwalkerX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/XwalkerX)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2011, 6:50pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmws-new-electirc-turbo-tripple-turbo-now-diesel/218017/6 "2011-11-02T18:50:25Z")
triple\* ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2011, 5:24am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmws-new-electirc-turbo-tripple-turbo-now-diesel/218017/7 "2011-11-03T05:24:53Z")
> [@XwalkerX](#): > > triple\* electric\* ---
**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2011, 6:11am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmws-new-electirc-turbo-tripple-turbo-now-diesel/218017/8 "2011-11-03T06:11:24Z")
Yo dawg, we heard you like turbos… Why not? Pretty common practice in industrial gases to expand gas across a turbine instead of a valve to recover work… ---
**Author:** ![Steve660](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecb155/32.png) [@Steve660](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Steve660)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2011, 6:44am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmws-new-electirc-turbo-tripple-turbo-now-diesel/218017/9 "2011-11-03T06:44:47Z")
My first impression after reading that was it would a good turbo system for a car aiming to get good milage. I don’t think this is a sport application though but I may be wrong. Using the the electric motor as a brake to reduce the turbine speed would also restrict the exhaust flow. Were as wastegate does not. Am I wrong? ---
**Author:** ![Willybeen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/willybeen/32/7351_2.png) [@Willybeen](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Willybeen)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2011, 7:32am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmws-new-electirc-turbo-tripple-turbo-now-diesel/218017/10 "2011-11-03T07:32:27Z")
I cant imagine not having warranty on it. lol ---
**Author:** ![drvnkd](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/drvnkd/32/109615_2.png) [@drvnkd](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/drvnkd)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2011, 8:54am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmws-new-electirc-turbo-tripple-turbo-now-diesel/218017/11 "2011-11-03T08:54:37Z")
Looks like a novel way of recovering some energy and helping lag. I’m betting this is a research driven patent. It may be possible, but does not sound overly practical. Do a bunch of research, figure out why its too expensive or complex to implement, then file it in a way that gives you the most legal ground should someone else work out the bugs and start selling it. ---
**Author:** ![Solo\_323\_CI](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/solo_323_ci/32/5049_2.png) [@Solo\_323\_CI](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Solo_323_CI)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2011, 12:36pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmws-new-electirc-turbo-tripple-turbo-now-diesel/218017/12 "2011-11-03T12:36:19Z")
Even if it’s too expensive/unreliable/complicated they still make it and make bank if it works well. Electric generator on a turbo + no lag + regeneration + 1.6L turbo V6’s in 2014 F1 + KERS = $$$ ---
**Author:** ![somedude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@somedude](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/somedude)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 5:30am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmws-new-electirc-turbo-tripple-turbo-now-diesel/218017/13 "2011-11-06T05:30:23Z")
so I was taking a shit thinking about the questionable durability of a friction based clutch that needs to engage and disengage at a huge range of RPM (1K-75K?) and the thought of using a magnetic clutch came to mind. 100% lockup may not be achieved but it would get you really close and still have good reliability. ---
**Author:** ![Onyx\_Z32](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/onyx_z32/32/7581_2.png) [@Onyx\_Z32](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Onyx_Z32)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 7:24am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmws-new-electirc-turbo-tripple-turbo-now-diesel/218017/14 "2012-01-26T07:24:40Z")
Bump for 3 turbos + diesel torque: > BMW is launching a new high-performance, 3.0-liter inline six for its M cars. No surprise yet. It also has three turbochargers, produces 381 hp and 546 lb-ft of torque, and only revs to 5,400 rpm. Ruh Roh. Yes, it’s a diesel. > **[BMW M Cars Will Shred Tires With Three-Turbo Diesel Power](https://jalopnik.com/bmw-m-cars-will-shred-tires-with-three-turbo-diesel-pow-5879525)** > > BMW is launching a new high-performance, 3.0-liter inline six for its M cars. No surprise yet. It also has three turbochargers, produces 381 hp and 546 lb-ft of torque, and only revs to 5,400 rpm. Ruh Roh. Yes, it's a diesel. ---
**Author:** ![GV1390](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/gv1390/32/5432_2.png) [@GV1390](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GV1390)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 7:54am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmws-new-electirc-turbo-tripple-turbo-now-diesel/218017/15 "2012-01-26T07:54:38Z")
> [@Willybeen](#): > > I cant imagine not having warranty on it. lol +1 ---
**Author:** ![Xander](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/xander/32/7597_2.png) [@Xander](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Xander)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 11:04am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmws-new-electirc-turbo-tripple-turbo-now-diesel/218017/16 "2012-01-26T11:04:44Z")
Sounds nice, but doubt we’ll see it on the North American market. X… ---
**Author:** ![1QIKZ](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/1qikz/32/6112_2.png) [@1QIKZ](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/1QIKZ)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 11:59am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmws-new-electirc-turbo-tripple-turbo-now-diesel/218017/17 "2012-01-26T11:59:36Z")
As long as it makes the nice sound. ---
**Author:** ![MPD47](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mpd47/32/7383_2.png) [@MPD47](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/MPD47)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 12:02pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmws-new-electirc-turbo-tripple-turbo-now-diesel/218017/18 "2012-01-26T12:02:03Z")
> [@Onyx Z32](#): > > Bump for 3 turbos + diesel torque: > > [BMW M Cars Will Shred Tires With Three-Turbo Diesel Power](http://jalopnik.com/5879525/bmw-m-cars-will-shred-tires-with-three+turbo-diesel-power) M Sport ≠ M cars. That’s so misleading. Impressive numbers though. ---
**Author:** ![Onyx\_Z32](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/onyx_z32/32/7581_2.png) [@Onyx\_Z32](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Onyx_Z32)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 7:40am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmws-new-electirc-turbo-tripple-turbo-now-diesel/218017/19 "2012-01-29T07:40:48Z")
Yeah it is a bit confusing. I really like the different headlights on the X5 [https://youtu.be/dD8F3rmACvo](https://youtu.be/dD8F3rmACvo) ---
**Author:** ![somedude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@somedude](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/somedude)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 7:47am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmws-new-electirc-turbo-tripple-turbo-now-diesel/218017/20 "2012-01-29T07:47:04Z")
I don’t want spontaneous steering [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmws-new-electirc-turbo-tripple-turbo-now-diesel/218017.md?page=2)