BMW Goldfisch V16

Development

Development started in the late 1980s. The engine was built to demonstrate the maximum potential of the small cylinder displacement engine family. Also, a three-cylinder model of the same engine family was made to set a minimum. Development started on July 8, 1987, and by the beginning of 1988 the engine was ready. It was put on a dynamometer in January and February 1988. Afterwards, it was installed in a modified long wheelbase BMW 7 Series (E32), and the first driving tests were made in May 1988. On July 7, 1988, the engine was presented internally within BMW.

To prevent an "arms race" with other engine manufacturers, the V16 was never put into mass production. Additionally, a higher-performance version of the M70 engine, the S70B56 installed in the BMW 850CSi, produced 380 PS and 56.1 kpm of torque, almost reaching the power output of the V16.

This engine was also trialled in the Bentley Mulsanne as a potential "upgrade" from a turbocharged V8 engine. Unlike the 7 Series, the engine fit in the bay with room for radiator and ancillaries.

Specifications

The engine design virtually copies the BMW M70 V12 layout but with 4 more cylinders added.

• 6,651 cm3 60°-V16 engine
• Cast aluminium block and cylinder heads
• SOHC, 2 valves per cylinder
• Bore and stroke: 84 xx
• Bore spacing: 91 mm
• Compression ratio: 8.8:1
• Maximum power: 408 PS at 5,200 rpm
• Maximum torque: 62.5 kpmAccording to Karlheinz Lange, one of the engineers who worked on this engine, the maximum torque is 63.7 kp·m (625 N·m). at 3,900 rpm
• Redline: 6,000 rpm
• Engine management: 2 separate Bosch DME 3.3 for each bank
• Dry weight: 310 kg

Notes

References

Bibliography

References

1. Farmer, Gavin. (March 2009). "The Secret Seven".
2. "BMW Goldfisch". BMW Group Archiv.
3. (10 April 2017). "Geheimprojekt Goldfisch BMW 7er E32 750iL V16". Auto Motor und Sport.
4. "Engine Types Explained: V16 Engine". Motor Car Net.