The BMW N63 is a twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine which has been in production from 2008 to present. The N63 is the world's first production car engine to use a "hot-vee" layout, with the turbochargers located inside the "V" of the engine. It is also BMW's first turbocharged V8 engine.
The N63 replaced the
BMW N62
The BMW N62 is a naturally aspirated V8 petrol engine which was used in BMW cars from 2001–2010. It also remained in small-scale production for the Morgan Aero until 2019. The N62 is the world's first engine to use a continuously variable-len ...
(a
naturally aspirated
Naturally may refer to:
;Albums
* ''Naturally!'', an album by Nat Adderley
* ''Naturally'' (Houston Person album)
* ''Naturally'' (J. J. Cale album)
* ''Naturally'' (John Pizzarelli album)
* ''Naturally'' (Sharon Jones album)
* ''Naturally'' ...
V8 engine) and was first used in the 2008 X6 xDrive50i.
The
S63 engine is the
BMW M
BMW M GmbH, formerly known as BMW Motorsport GmbH, is a subsidiary of BMW, BMW AG that manufactures high-performance cars.
BMW M ("M" for "motorsport") was initially created to facilitate BMW's racing program, which was very successful in the ...
high-performance version of the N63.
Alpina
Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH & Co. KG is an automobile manufacturing company based in Buchloe, in the Ostallgäu district of Bavaria, Germany that develops and sells high-performance versions of BMW cars.
Alpina works closely with BMW and ...
versions of the N63 are used in various
F01 7 Series,
F10 5 Series,
G11 7 Series,
G16 8 Series and
G30 5 Series models.
Design
The airflow path through the engine uses a "hot-vee" layout, where the exhaust manifolds and turbochargers are located between the cylinder banks (on the "inside" of the V8) and the intake manifolds are located on the outside of the engine.
This is opposite to the traditional layout for a V8, where the intake is inside the "V" and the exhaust manifold is on the outside. The hot-vee layout reduces the width of the engine and decreases the exhaust runner length from the exhaust valves to the turbochargers. The engine uses air-to-water intercoolers, therefore improving throttle response.
Similar to the
N54B30, the initial N63 (including the S63) did not use
Valvetronic
The Valvetronic system is a BMW variable valve lift system which, in combination with VANOS, allows infinite adjustment of the intake valve timing and duration. The system claims to improve fuel economy and emissions, and negates the need for a ...
(variable valve lift) because its benefit of reducing of intake vacuum is not as important in turbocharged engines}.
Due to the presence of turbocharging, the N63 does not use a
variable-length intake manifold
In internal combustion engines, a variable-length intake manifold (VLIM),variable intake manifold (VIM), or variable intake system (VIS) is an automobile internal combustion engine manifold technology. As the name implies, VLIM/VIM/VIS can vary ...
.
The N63 is BMW's first V8 engine to use
direct injection.
The N63/S63 uses a
bore of and a
stroke
A stroke is a medical condition in which poor blood flow to the brain causes cell death. There are two main types of stroke: ischemic, due to lack of blood flow, and hemorrhagic, due to bleeding. Both cause parts of the brain to stop functionin ...
of (except for the Chinese market 4.0 litre variant).
2012 technical update
In 2012, a "Technical Update" was applied to the N63, resulting in the ''N63TU'' variants (also known as ''N63B44O1''). The main upgrade was the addition of Valvetronic. Other changes include revised turbochargers, removal of the
blowoff valve
A blowoff valve (also called dump valve or compressor bypass valve) is a pressure release system present in most petrol turbocharger, turbocharged engines. Blowoff valves are used to reduce pressure in the intake system as the throttle is closed, ...
, lighter pistons, forged connecting rods and crankshaft, addition of a valve cover labyrinth oil catch/return system, new valve stem seals, revised fuel system and addition of a second coolant pump.
2016 technical update
A second Technical Update occurred in 2016, resulting in the ''N63TU2'' variants (also known as ''N63B44O2''). The major changes are the use of
twin-scroll turbochargers, a wider
powerband
The power band of an internal combustion engine or electric motor is the range of operating speeds under which the engine or motor is able to output the most power, that is, the maximum energy per unit of time. This usually means that maximum a ...
and the oil/coolant heat exchanger being moved to within the "V" of the engine.
2018 technical update
A third Technical Update was introduced in 2018. Two variants are offered: N63B44M3 and N63B44T3. N63B44M3 features improved thermal shielding for the crankcase and the cylinder head, and a new ignition system. The N63B44T3 gains higher pressure (5000psi) injectors, larger twin-scroll turbochargers, a redesigned intake manifold, and an upstream cooling radiator.
Models
N63B40A
This smaller variant was sold in the Chinese market. Due to a shorter stroke length of , the capacity is reduced to .
Applications:
* 2012–2017
F12/F13 650i (China only, version)
* 2012–2017
F01/F02 750i/750Li (China only, version)
N63B44O0
The initial version of the N63 produces and .
Applications:
* 2008– 2013
E71 X6
* 2009– 2012
F01/F02 750i/750Li
* 2010– 2012
F07 550i GT
* 2010– 2013
F10/F11 550i
* 2011– 2013
E70 X5
* 2012– 2017
F12/F13 650i
* 2011–2014
Wiesmann
Wiesmann GmbH is a German automobile manufacturer that specializes in hand-built custom convertibles and coupes. The company, which has its factory in Dülmen, was founded by brothers, engineer Martin Wiesmann and businessman Friedhelm Wiesman ...
GT MF4
N63B44O1 (N63TU)
The first technical update resulted in an increase of and .
Applications:
* 2013–2015
F01/F02 750i/750Li
* 2013–2016
F07 550i GT
* 2014–2016
F10/F11 550i
* 2014–2018
F15 X5
* 2014–2019
F16 X6
* 2013–2018
F12/F13 650i
* 2013–2019
F06
F6, F06, F 6, F.6 or F-6 may refer to:
Science and technology
* 246 (number), in hexadecimal
* Nikon F6, an SLR 35mm camera
* F06, an ICD-10 mental and behavioural disorder code
* F6, a function key on a computer keyboard
* F6, a theoretical l ...
650i
N63B44O2 (N63TU2)
The second technical update resulted in peak torque being produced over a 200 rpm wider band.
Applications:
* 2016–2019
G11/G12 750i/750Li sDrive/xDrive
* 2017–2020
G30/G31 M550i xDrive
N63B44M3 (N63TU3)
Applications:
* 2018–
G05 X5 xDrive50i
* 2018–
G07 X7 xDrive50i
N63B44T3 (N63TU3)
Applications:
* 2018–
G14/G15/G16 M850i xDrive
* 2019–
G11/G12 750i/750Li sDrive/xDrive
* 2020–
G30/G31 M550i xDrive
* 2020–
G05 X5 M50i
* 2020–
G06 X6 M50i
* 2020–
G07 X7 M50i
* 2021–
G14/G15/G16 Alpina B8 Gran Coupe
* 2022–
Land Rover Range Rover (L460)
* 2022–
Land Rover Range Rover Sport (L461)
S63
The S63 is the
BMW M
BMW M GmbH, formerly known as BMW Motorsport GmbH, is a subsidiary of BMW, BMW AG that manufactures high-performance cars.
BMW M ("M" for "motorsport") was initially created to facilitate BMW's racing program, which was very successful in the ...
version of the N63, which debuted in the
BMW X6 M and was used in the
BMW M5
The BMW M5 is a high performance variant of the BMW 5 Series marketed under the BMW M sub-brand. It is considered an iconic vehicle in the sports sedan category. The majority of M5s have been produced in the sedan (saloon) body style, but in so ...
models from 2011 to present. The S63 uses two twin-scroll turbochargers plus a pulse tuned, cross-engine exhaust manifold
to keep constant exhaust pulses flowing to the turbos at every 180 degree rotation.
S63B44O0
Applications:
* 2010–2013
E70 X5 M
* 2010–2013
E71 X6 M
* 2011–2014
Wiesman GT MF5
S63B44T1
A technical update to the S63, known as the S63B44T1, debuted on the
F10 M5 sedan. This version uses
Valvetronic
The Valvetronic system is a BMW variable valve lift system which, in combination with VANOS, allows infinite adjustment of the intake valve timing and duration. The system claims to improve fuel economy and emissions, and negates the need for a ...
, a 10:1 compression ratio (compared with 9.3:1 for the non-TU version) and 1.5 bar of boost (compared with 1.3). It is the first
BMW M
BMW M GmbH, formerly known as BMW Motorsport GmbH, is a subsidiary of BMW, BMW AG that manufactures high-performance cars.
BMW M ("M" for "motorsport") was initially created to facilitate BMW's racing program, which was very successful in the ...
engine to use Valvetronic. The rev limit was increased from 6800 rpm to 7200 rpm.
Applications:
* 2011–2017
F10 M5
* 2012–2018
F12/13 M6
* 2013–2018
F06 M6 Gran Coupe
S63B44T2
The S63B44T2 debuted on the 2015 X5 M and X6 M models.
Applications:
* 2015–2019
F85 X5 M
* 2015–2019
F86 X6 M
S63B44T3
The S63B44T3 debuted on the 2018 M5.
Applications:
* 2018–present
F90 M5
* 2018–present
F90 M5 Competition
* 2019–present
F91/92/93 M8
* 2019–present
F91/92/93 M8 Competition
* 2020–present
F95 X5 M
* 2020–present
F95 X5 M Competition
* 2020–present
F96 X6 M
* 2020–present
F96 X6 M Competition
P63
The P63 is the
BMW Motorsport
BMW M Motorsport (formerly BMW Motorsport) is the division of BMW responsible for motorsport-related activities, including works-run competition programmes in touring car racing, sports car racing, motorcycle racing and Formula E.
The current orga ...
version of the N63, which debuted in the
BMW M8 GTE
The BMW M8 GTE is an endurance grand tourer (GT) car constructed by the German automobile manufacturer BMW. It was developed in late 2016 and made its competitive début in IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and FIA WEC for the 2018 season, ...
.
Alpina
Alpina
Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH & Co. KG is an automobile manufacturing company based in Buchloe, in the Ostallgäu district of Bavaria, Germany that develops and sells high-performance versions of BMW cars.
Alpina works closely with BMW and ...
uses a variant of the N63 engine, which was hand-assembled at the Alpina plant in
Buchloe
Buchloe (; Swabian: ''Buechla'') is a community raised to town status in 1954, lying in Ostallgäu district in Bavaria. Together with the neighbouring communities of Jengen, Lamerdingen and Waal, Buchloe belongs to the ''Verwaltungsgemeinschaft' ...
before being transported to the BMW production line.
For the 2013 model year, the Alpina engine received Valvetronic like all other N63 engines.
M1
Applications:
*2009–2012 Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo: based on the
BMW F01
The fifth generation of the BMW 7 Series consists of the BMW F01 (sedan version) and BMW F02 (long-wheelbase sedan version) full-size luxury sedans. The F01/F02 generation was produced by BMW from 2008 to 2015 and is often collectively referred ...
7 Series
*2010–2011 Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo Sedan/Touring: based on the
BMW F10/F11 5 Series.
M1/1
Applications:
*2012–2014 Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo Sedan/Touring: based on the
BMW F10/F11 5 Series
M1/2
Applications:
*2011–2015 Alpina B6 Bi-Turbo Coupé/Cabrio: based on the
BMW F12/F13 6 Series
M2, M2/1
Applications:
*2014–2015 Alpina B6 Bi-Turbo Gran Coupé: based on the
BMW F06 6 Series
*2012–2015 Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo: based on the
BMW F01
The fifth generation of the BMW 7 Series consists of the BMW F01 (sedan version) and BMW F02 (long-wheelbase sedan version) full-size luxury sedans. The F01/F02 generation was produced by BMW from 2008 to 2015 and is often collectively referred ...
7 Series
M2/2
Applications:
*2015 Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo Edition 50 Sedan/Touring: based on the
BMW F10/F11 5 Series
*2015–2016 Alpina B6 Bi-Turbo Edition 50 Coupé/Cabrio: based on the
BMW F12/F13 6 Series
*2016 Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo: based on the BMW F10/F11 5 Series
*2016–present Alpina B6 Bi-Turbo: based on the
BMW F06/F12/F13 6 Series
M5
The Alpina engine code is N63M30A.
Applications:
*2016–2019 Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo: based on the
BMW G12 7 Series
*2017–present Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo: based on the
BMW G30/G31 5 Series
An evolution of this engine, with better power delivery, is of the N63B44T3 type.
Applications:
* 2019–present Alpina B7: based on the
BMW G12 7 Series
* 2021–present Alpina B8: based on the
BMW G16 8 Series
North American recall
In December 2014, BMW North America released a voluntary recall ("Customer Care Package") relating to issues with timing chain stretch, fuel injectors, mass air flow sensors, crankcase vent lines, battery, engine vacuum pump, low pressure fuel sensor and revising the oil service interval.
In 2019 NHTSA addressed the multitude of issues with BMW N63 engines, various class action lawsuits in tow, and never officially declared a mass recall in regard to valve seal issues inherent in the N63 line.
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10163992-9999.pdf#:~:text=The%20lawsuit%20alleges%20that%20the%20Class%20Vehicles%E2%80%99%20N63,drain%20which%20can%20potentially%20cause%20premature%20battery%20failures.
See also
*
BMW
*
List of BMW engines
BMW has been producing engines for automobiles, motorcycles and aircraft since 1917, when the company began production of an inline-six aircraft engine. They have been producing automobile engines since 1933.
Motorcycle engines
Automotive ...
References
{{BMW automotive petrol engines: 2000s to 2010s
N63
V8 engines
Products introduced in 2008
Gasoline engines by model