The BMW TurboSteamer

BMW Engineering has successfully harnessed the heat generated by internal combustion engines, once a wasted form of energy, to enhance engine efficiency and performance.

The BMW Turbosteamer uses the principles of a steam engine to provide the extra power; fluid is heated using the previously wasted heat from the engine’s exhaust gases. The resulting steam is conducted into an expansion unit, which in turn assists in powering the crankshaft. According to tests performed on a 1.8-liter BMW 4 cylinder engine, the steam assist system provides an extra 14hp, 15ft-lbs. of torque, and an overall 15% improvement in efficiency.

The Turbosteamer was designed to fit in the engine compartment of BMW's existing concept vehicles, and development of a more compact and possibly more efficient system is ongoing.

BMW's current lack of a production hybrid or alternative fuel vehicle is no testament to their environmental policy. As stated in their most recent Turbosteamer press release: "a reduction in consumption amounting to a few percentage points over the entire model range exerts higher overall effects on the general population than high percentage points for a niche model."

Read more about the BMW X5 Hybrid Concept.

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