Have a look at some videos showing the assembly and internals/technology of the N20 engine.
The BMW N20 is a turbocharged inline 4 cylinder DOHC engine which replaced the N52 and BMW N53 inline 6 cylinder engines beginning in 2011. The N20 is an inline 4, but is considered a replacement for the straight-6 N52 and N53 because it powers equivalent models. It features a twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing (VANOS), variable valve lift (valvetronic) and direct injection.
The N20 is currently used in:
E89 Z4 sDrive28i
E84 X1 xDrive28i
F25 X3 xDrive28i
F20 128i
F30 328i
F10 528i
Mini documentary on BMW’s newest turbo engine - the N20 turbo inline 4 cylinder engine which powers everything from the F30 328i to the F10 528i, X1 sDrive28i and xDrive28i.
Four award-winners spanning a displacement range of 1.6 to 4.0 litres – BMW Group again emerges as the most successful auto manufacturer in the internationally renowned engine contest.
Unbeaten titleholders and triumphant newcomers have secured the BMW Group’s renewed pre-eminence at the 2012 International Engine of the Year Awards. Powerplants guaranteeing efficient power delivery in current BMW and MINI models topped no fewer than four out of eight displacement categories. The quartet of trophy-winners comprised two four-cylinder engines, a straight-six and an eight-cylinder. Scooping up best-in-class wins were the 1.6-litre turbo unit of the MINI John Cooper S, the four-cylinder engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology that drives the new BMW 328i, among others, the straight-six with M TwinPower Turbo of the BMW 1 Series M Coupe, … CONTINUED
Reviews of the 2012 Z4 sDrive28i featuring the new BMW turbo 4-cylinder N20 motor have generally been positive overall. However, Automobile’s recent assessment is the strongest endorsement we’ve seen yet for the new Z4, which represents the return of 4-cylinder BMW engines to the US.
Here are some of the great things the magazine had to say about the sDriv28i’s engine, exhaust, and performance.
Autoblog comes in with their first drive reaction to the 2012 Z4 sDrive28i, the first late model BMW to bring the 4-cylinder motor back to the US market. The N20 motor makes 240 hp / 260 lb-ft tq in the Z4, with a 7,000 rpm redline. Compared to the N52 inline 6 that it replaces, the Z4’s N20 has 15 less horsepowers but 40lb-ft more torque.
The N20 will also be making its debut in the 5-series line in the Fall with the 2012 528i, and in the 3-series with the all new F30 3-series sedan which will be unveiled this Fall.
Until now, the reviews of BMW’s Twinpower Turbo 2.0L inline 4-cylinder Motor (N20) were limited to drives of the X1 xDrive28i. But this Fall, BMW will launch the first US models to feature the N20 turbo 4-cyl motor — the 2012 Z4 sDrive28i and the 2012 528i. In the Z4 28i, the N20 motor makes 240 hp at 6500 rpm and 260 lb-ft tq at just 1,250 rpm, with a redline of 7,000 rpm. Compared to the N52 inline 6 that it replaces, the Z4’s N20 has 15 less horsepowers but 40lb-ft more torque.
So how does the Z4 28i drive? The first review is in, via Car and Driver. Some of C/D’s more salient words regarding the Z4 28i follow.
Quote:
The transplant has changed the … CONTINUED
Here is the BMW press conference for the 2011 New York International Auto Show, held two days prior to the actual show - at BMW of Manhattan. The various products showing at the NYIAS are discussed. There is also a separate introduction video to the new N20 turbo 4-cylinder engine.
Reviews of BMW’s Twinpower Turbo 2.0L inline 4-cylinder Motor (N20) are currently limited to drives of the X1 xDrive28i as that is only model being powered by the N20 thus far. The first US model to feature the N20 will be revealed next week at the NY International Autoshow. Motor Trend now shares their first impressions of the x1 xDrive28i and its new turbo 4 cylinder heart.
