- BMW OHV V8 engine
Infobox Automobile
name=BMW OHV V8 engine
manufacturer=BMW
production=1954 –1962
predecessor=none
successor=BMW M60
class=OHV V8, 16 valves
engine=2.6 L (2580 cc/157 in³)
3.2 L (3168 cc/193 in³)
similar=The BMW OHV V8 engine was the first
V8 engine made byBMW , produced from 1954 to 1965. This engine is usually named by the fact that it was the first and onlyoverhead valve V8 ever produced by BMW. All subsequent BMW V8 engines would use double overhead camshafts, but the development of the next V8 engine by BMW would not take place for more than three and a half decades. [http://www.theautochannel.com/vehicles/new/reviews/wk9437.html BMW 840Ci]Introduction
The
BMW 501 was a larger and heavier car than BMW had ever made before when it premiered in 1952, and it was the first BMW car made inWest Germany after a long hiatus afterWorld War II . But it was powered with an elderlystraight-6 from before the war, and though power was increased to convert|65|hp|kW [http://www.globalcar.com/datasheet/BMW/1952_BMW_501.htm Details on BMW 501] , it was a sluggish performer. Their primary competitor,Mercedes-Benz , fielded the W187 in the same class but with superior performance. In order to reassert their status as the producer of sporty sedans, BMW debuted a 501 with apushrod V8 engine. This was called theBMW 502 . This V8 engine was available in 2.6 L (157 in3) and 3.2 L (193 in3) form.Details
The engine was an
aluminum alloy, longitudinally-mounted 90º V8 with a bore/stroke of convert|82.0|mm|in/convert|75.0|mm|in, in two displacements. The 2.6 L engine produced convert|100|hp|kW, and the 3.2 L engine produced from convert|120|hp|kW to convert|160|hp|kW. Commonly fed through two Zenith carburettors, the engine was good for 5900-6500 rpm in its various configurations.BMW 502
Developed for the
BMW 502 in 1954, the 2.6 L engine was available only for that vehicle. The 3.2 L engine was developed in 1956, and found its way into the 502 that same year. [http://www.motorbase.com/profiles/vehicle/index.ehtml?i=432 Motorbase: BMW 502] It was initially rated at 120 hp, but ultimately was upgraded and produced 140 hp. The 501/502 range was discontinued in 1964.BMW 503
The
BMW 503 was offered from May 1956 to March 1959, during which time it used the 3.2 L engine. In this form, it produced convert|140|hp|kW. Mated to a four-speed manual, the relatively heavy grand tourer achieved 0-convert|100|km/h|mph in about 12 seconds and a top speed of around convert|120|mph|km/h. [http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z5942/BMW_503.aspx ConceptCarz: BMW 503]BMW 507
The iconic and extremely expensive
BMW 507 roadster, produced from 1956 to 1959, was offered with the 3.2 L engine producing convert|150|hp|kW. [http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/51/BMW-507.html BMW 507 and plenty of engine info] With more power and a lighter body, the 507's performance was fairly good, with 0-60 mph achieved in under 10 seconds and a top speed, depending on gearing, of convert|141|mph|km/h. However, the car's stratospherically high price made it extremely exclusive and almost ruined the company due to the cost of production and slow sales.BMW 3200 CS
In its final incarnation, the 3.2 L engine powered the 3200 CS. The engine produced convert|160|hp|kW. [http://www.globalcar.com/datasheet/BMW/1962_BMW_3200_CS_Coupe.htm Details on 3200 CS Coupé] When this vehicle was taken off the market in 1965, it was the end of an era for BMW, as changing market trends such as the successful
BMW New Class positioned it downmarket, and left the company with little interest in low-volume exclusive coupés. Furthermore, with the final production run of this engine, no V8 engines would power any BMWs until 1991 with the BMW 840i.References
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