ONE MILLIONTH BMW DIESEL ENGINE BUILT

BMW has just produced its one millionth diesel engine at the company's Steyr plant in Austria. It was a straight six cylinder, common rail, direct injection engine, which will be fitted to a BMW 530d.

The Steyr plant, which was opened 20 years ago, produces half a million petrol and diesel engines each year, a quarter of which are diesels. Steyr has been the development centre for BMW's class-leading diesel units since 1983 when the company launched its first diesel model, the 524td. From the beginning, BMW insisted that the diesel engines it produced had to offer refinement and performance consistent with the marque's sporting image.

In 1987, BMW was the first car manufacturer in the world to introduce a fully electronic, diesel injection control system - Digital Diesel Electronics (DDE). Faster and more precise than a mechanical control unit, the electronic system improved fuel consumption, noise levels and performance.

This was followed in 1991 by a totally redesigned 2.5 litre turbo diesel which made its debut with charge air cooling. Delivering 143 bhp, it was the world�s most powerful diesel engine in its class. At the beginning of 1995, BMW became the first manufacturer in the world to offer stability and traction control for a diesel passenger vehicle on the 325tds.

Three direct injection engines in 15 months
The launch of the 320d in 1998 (in left hand drive - the right hand drive model will be launched in October 1999) heralded the first of a new generation of direct injection diesel engines. The engine is a 2.0 litre, four-cylinder unit with a high pressure distributor injection pump, VNT turbo charger, charge air cooling and four valves per cylinder.

It immediately became the most powerful engine of its capacity - producing 136 bhp - and also leader in consumption, emission levels and comfort. It also won the 1998 N�rburgring 24 hour race outright, thanks to its outstanding combination of performance and fuel economy. The 320d makes its UK debut on 19 October at the London Motor Show.

Next came the 530d. Featuring common rail technology the three litre engine powering this model produces 390 Nm of torque and peak power of 184 bhp. The 530d rewrote the rule book for diesel-powered executive cars, combining superb flexibility and power with luxury class refinement.

In mid-1999 came another diesel first from BMW with the launch (in selected left-hand drive markets) of the 740d, powered by the world's first luxury diesel V8 engine fitted to a luxury car. It develops 560 Nm of torque at just 1750 rpm - the highest torque output ever from a BMW engine - and 245 bhp, to give �no compromise� on-road performance.

BMW remains committed to leading the world in the application of diesel engine technology for luxury cars, and perhaps in the future, performance cars. The Z9 gran turismo concept car which was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show this month features the 3.9 litre twin-turbo unit fitted to the 740d.

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