New BMW X3 M Features S58 Engine

The debut of the S58 engine in the new BMW X3 is a dramatic moment in the maker’s history. The S55 engine it improves upon has been a remarkable powerhouse, but the S58 will be the M Division’s flagship engine moving forward. What does that mean for you? The next BMW X3 M and X4 M will be the first cars to feature the S58 engine.

Starting Power

The S58 is a 3.0-liter straight-six that’s been fully redesigned to up the ante in the X Series M vehicles. Let’s talk details. The S58 starts out in 473 horsepower form. This delivers 442 lb-ft of torque. It’s a powerful and dynamic engine that enables aggressive acceleration with ease. The power on display here surpasses both the M3 CS and M4 CS.

M Competition Upgrades

That’s the basic form of the engine – entry-level, if you will. The new BMW X3 M Competition and X4 M Competition are even more powerful, delivering 503 horsepower. As always, these are the first implementations of the engine in production vehicles. BMW has a long history of finding every last ounce of horsepower left in their designs – you can probably expect even more powerful versions by the time the the S58 starts getting places into sports cars.

Technical Improvements

Technical improvements include two mono-scroll turbochargers to keep the engine well-vented, along with upgraded compressors for better power output. Join these with a freshly optimized air intake system that keeps pressure consistent and an electronic waste gate that improves the engine’s response. Maximum injection pressure is tremendously improved – from 200 to 350 bar. This helps to minimize emissions as well.

These are only a few of the improvements. In case you’re not versed in the technical jargon, what it amounts to is this: the S58 engine is even more powerful, responsive, efficient, and reliable, as well as being more environmentally friendly.

Why Debut it in Crossovers?

The advantage of using it now in the next BMW X3 M and X4 M models (as well as their M Competition versions) is that you get this powerful engine humming with M tuning, upgrades, and dynamics. That’s an easy way to enjoy popular crossovers that drive like sports cars and have all the practical advantages of SUVs.