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BMW planning six-cylinder i9 hybrid to celebrate centenary?

On the prospect of a new BMW M1 based on the company's new i8 hybrid, the jury has been in and out so much that we can't even tell which way it's likely to go. However, the latest reports coming in from Germany suggest that BMW may have something else up its sleeves. Rather than make a conventional gas-powered version of the i8, Germany's Auto Motor und Sport says BMW will make a more powerful one.
Tentatively dubbed i9, the hybrid sports car is rumored to pack a six-cylinder internal-combustion engine instead of the i8's turbo three. Coupled to more potent electric motors, it would figure to produce even more than the 357 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque already on tap in the i8, with further weight reductions to offset the bulkier engine.
Auto Motor und Sport says the mooted model will be produced to celebrate the Bavarian automaker's 100th anniversary and eclipse the i8's performance, with a projected 0-60 run in under four seconds en-route to taking the gloves off to crunch the Autobahn in electric bliss. The new i flagship would be another member of the company's growing electrified family, joining the existing i3 hatchback, upcoming i5 minivan and possible i8 Spyder down the line.

BMW i3 misses top Euro safety rating [w/videos]

The Euro NCAP just tested a recent batch of new cars including the 2014 BMW i3, and the EV Bimmer scored less-than-perfect results. Though not horrible, BMW's all-electric/range-extended i3 was given a four-star (out of five possible) crash rating due to concerns with front-occupant whiplash and side-impact protection.
Based on the crash results, the BMW provided suitable protection for occupants in the frontal, side barrier, pedestrian and child-seat tests, but the i3 was tripped up when it came to the more severe side pole test and the rear-impact test. The pole test showed protection to the chest of the test dummy was "weak," and the front seats only provided "marginal" protection against whiplash for front passengers. Scroll down to watch two videos released by the Euro NCAP of the i3 being tested.

BMW replaces tri-turbo diesel with a quad turbo

Quad turbos have until now been the stuff of Bugattis. BMW is introducing a quad turbo diesel for the 7 Series, with nearly one hundred horsepower per turbo. It's all about making the six-cylinder 3.0-liter turbodiesel all as enticing a proposition as possible, and it faces strong competition from Audi's new twin-turbo V8 diesel available in the SQ7 TDI. The earlier, N57S engine (pictured above) utilized a triple-turbo setup good for 381 horsepower and 546 lb-ft. The new B57 version, confirmed by BMW at the 37th International Vienna Motor Symposium, adds yet another turbo for 394 hp and 561 lb-ft, and that massive torque is available from 2,000 to 3,000 rpm. It means the 7 Series gets from 0-60 mph in a snappy 4.5 seconds. The engine could produce even more torque, but 561 lb-ft is all the ZF 8HP 8-speed automatic transmission can handle. The N57S engine's dual-stage turbocharging setup consisted of one low-pressure turbocharger to take care of low-end torque, and two high-pressure turbos for the higher rev range. In the new B57 engine, the big turbo is now replaced with two smaller units on a common exhaust, to benefit from lower costs and smaller unit weight. In addition to the gains in power and torque, fuel economy has reportedly been improved by 5 percent. There are no reports yet whether the B57 TOP quad-turbo will make it to the US market, but customers in the European high end diesel saloon market will probably be very excited. Initially it will be available in the 750d xDrive version, and other top-end models like the 5 Series and the X5 will follow later on. Related Video: News Source: Krone.atImage Credit: BMW BMW Diesel Vehicles Luxury Performance Sedan confirmed vienna motor symposium