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Compared: BMW Turbo Inline-4 vs Audi 2.0TFSI

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BMW recently unveiled first details on their new 2 litre inline-4 TwinPower Turbo petrol engine. In terms of this engine's competitors, the first thing that comes to mind is Audi's 2.0TFSI engine. They currently run two engine generations, the older EA113 as still found in the TT-S and the newer EA888 powering virtually all 2.0TFSI models. The latter also includes Valvelift which is roughly comparable to BMW's Valvetronic.

Here are all figures you need to know to draw a comparison and figure where each engine might be able to trump, and where not. Some points I found remarkable when doing this comparison:

All three offer a maximum torque of 258 lb-ft, yet the BMW engine is able to spool up quicker (max. torque at 1250 rpm). Also, it's the only engine out of this pack that has an aluminum engine block, so I expect it to be the lightest as well. Despite similar torque-to-weight figures, the BMW unit also returns the best gas mileage, quite remarkable compared to the much lighter TT-S. That being said, the N20 runs the highest compression and the highest boost level.

Stay tuned for more information and pictures from BMW. In the meantime, enjoy this comparison:

Specifications	BMW TwinPower Inline-4 Engine	Audi 2.0TFSI S model (265hp)	Audi 2.0TFSI Valvelift (211hp)
Engine	N20B20	EA113 CDL	EA888 CDNC
Configuration	inline-4	inline-4	inline-4
Valves per cylinder	4	4	4
Engine technology	BMW TwinPower Turbo technology with twin-scroll charging, High Precision Injection direct petrol injection, VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control, double-VANOS fully variable camshaft control	2.0 liter turbocharged, inline four-cylinder, spark ignition engine with TFSI® direct injection, four valves per cylinder, double overhead camshafts [DOHC], S model turbocharger (enlarged turbine wheel, spiral, compressor inlet and compressor wheel)	Inline four-cylinder gasoline engine with FSI direct injection, exhaust turbocharger with intercooler, Audi valvelift system on exhaust valves, DOHC, chain driven, hydraulic lifters
Cylinder Block	Aluminum	Cast Iron	Cast Iron
Cylinder Head	TBA	Aluminum	Aluminum-alloy
Turbocharger	Single Turbo - Twinscroll	Single Turbo	Single Turbo
Max Boost Pressure (bar / psi)	1.2 / 17.4	1.2 / 17.4	0.9 / 13 (*1)
Effective capacity (ccm)	1997	1984	1984
Bore (mm)	84.0	82.5	82.5
Stroke (mm)	90.1	92.8	92.8
Compression Ratio	10.0	9.8	9.6
Redline (rpm)	7000	7000	6800
Fuel Grade	min RON 91	min RON 91	min RON 91
Output (kw / bhp)	180 / 245	195 / 265	155 / 211
at (rpm)	5000 - 6500	6000	4300 - 6000
Torque (Nm / ft lbs)	350 / 258	350 / 258	350 / 258
at (rpm)	1250 - 4900	2500-5000	1500 - 4200
Power per litre (hp)	122.7	133.6	106.4
Torque per litre (Nm)	175.3	176.4	176.4
Torque per litre (lb ft)	129.2	130	130
Performance
Model	X1 28i	TT-S	A4 2.0 TFSI Quattro
Weight (lbs)	3649	3241	3626
Power-to-weight (lbs/hp)	14.9	12.2	17.2
0-62mph (s)	6.1	5.4	6.6
Fuel Consumption (MPG)
Combined (US)	29.8	24	25
Combined (UK)	35.7	28.8	30
Notes			(*1) No information from Audi available, value from owners reading out ECU

DYNO CHART:

[Diver]

Right now this is just a bunch of numbers. It hardly makes sense to comare an X1 to a TT-S and only half makes sense to compare an X1 to an A4. Besides, we don't know much about how the new Turbo 4 drives.

The fuel economy number is impressive, though.

[E904james]

Hopefully an ecu tune will do wonders with this engine, like the Audi.

[just4kickz]

nice comparison.. low end torque ftw

[swifty]

Originally Posted by E904james

Hopefully an ecu tune will do wonders with this engine, like the Audi.

Well it's already at 17psi so I'm not sure how much more you can increase the boost, safely.

[nockenpaul]

I don't know if this was already posted somewhere...

More info about the N20B20 can be found in the updated German X1 brochure (pdf, page 16):
http://www.bmw.de/de/de/newvehicles/...?download=true

This is the performance chart:



There is also a nice photo of the engine in the brochure.

[E92White]

Does anyone know if the engine is facing sideways like most turbo 4 cars ? or is still a straight inline like our I6 engines ?

[vasillalov]

Did anyone notice the massive fuel savings the BMW engine offers compared to the AUDI counterparts?

[kred]

audi's guna have to step up their game. bmw ftw.

[nockenpaul]

Originally Posted by vasillalov

Did anyone notice the massive fuel savings the BMW engine offers compared to the AUDI counterparts?

Yes, and it's even more impressive when you consider that the 1er and 3er will show significantly better consumption rates than the X1.

[ragingclue]

Originally Posted by E92White

Does anyone know if the engine is facing sideways like most turbo 4 cars ? or is still a straight inline like our I6 engines ?

This has more to do with the originally intended driveline layout than with the number of cylinders, although transverse/compact size/FWD-AWD generally go well together while longitudinal/balance/RWD-AWD generally suit each other as well.

A car designed to be RWD will generally have the longitudinal layout. You won't see transverse engines until BMW brings out their FWD lineup IMO.

[southlight]

Originally Posted by nockenpaul

I don't know if this was already posted somewhere...

More info about the N20B20 can be found in the updated German X1 brochure (pdf, page 16):
http://www.bmw.de/de/de/newvehicles/...?download=true

This is the performance chart:



There is also a nice photo of the engine in the brochure.

Danke, Paul! I've updated the first post.


Best regards,
south

[MusclezMarinara]

agreed its all speculation at this time

[antzcrashing]

Originally Posted by vasillalov

Did anyone notice the massive fuel savings the BMW engine offers compared to the AUDI counterparts?

yes, but i think it is premature. In a few months Audi will put out a new 4-cyl that equals or trumps the BMW 4. I think BMW is just gloating while they still can.

That said, the MPGs are quite impressive BMW

[Doctor J]

Originally Posted by E904james

Hopefully an ecu tune will do wonders with this engine, like the Audi.

BMW is going to encrypt the ECU software to make "tuning" very very difficult without voiding the warranty

[Toker335i]

Originally Posted by Doctor J

BMW is going to encrypt the ECU software to make "tuning" very very difficult without voiding the warranty

Not surprised. So these cars will be harder to tune. I'll stick with the inline 6 for now

[Diver]

I saw something where BMW said the N55 was intentionally made more difficult to tune. Some products that promise to clear codes, might not get everything. BMW says their motivation is to maintain higher residual values. It would make sense to me that the risk of buying a tuned car without knowing about it would not improve residual values, nor would BMW want to be dealing with the problems later in CPO vehicles.

[SteVTEC]

I'm guessing the combined US EPA rating of the X1 is much better than the TT-S because the X1 probably has a super deep overdrive gear having it down below 2000rpm even at higher speeds, vs the TT-S probably having quite short performance oriented gearing putting the engine at 3000rpm and over most of the time. So not really a relevant comparison until two like vehicles with similar gearing are tested side-by-side. The Audi 2.0T engine is capable of some pretty impressive fuel mileage as well. To get these figures it's pretty much a guarantee that the BMW has super tall gearing, and if an automatic that it's mapped such that the engine is kept at as low of an RPM as possible at all times. Won't be able to have any fun unless you're in DS or manual mode, most likely.

[antzcrashing]

Originally Posted by SteVTEC

I'm guessing the combined US EPA rating of the X1 is much better than the TT-S because the X1 probably has a super deep overdrive gear having it down below 2000rpm even at higher speeds, vs the TT-S probably having quite short performance oriented gearing putting the engine at 3000rpm and over most of the time. So not really a relevant comparison until two like vehicles with similar gearing are tested side-by-side. The Audi 2.0T engine is capable of some pretty impressive fuel mileage as well. To get these figures it's pretty much a guarantee that the BMW has super tall gearing, and if an automatic that it's mapped such that the engine is kept at as low of an RPM as possible at all times. Won't be able to have any fun unless you're in DS or manual mode, most likely.

great point

[MassBimmer]

That torque curve is incredibly impressive...especially considering BMW's lack of solid torque in many of its models...God bless turbos

[bavarian19]

interesting numbers

[E92White]

Originally Posted by ragingclue

This has more to do with the originally intended driveline layout than with the number of cylinders, although transverse/compact size/FWD-AWD generally go well together while longitudinal/balance/RWD-AWD generally suit each other as well.

A car designed to be RWD will generally have the longitudinal layout. You won't see transverse engines until BMW brings out their FWD lineup IMO.

ah..gotcha..thanks for clearing that up..thats what I figured.