BMW N73
Encyclopedia
The N73 was a V12 engine
from BMW
, built in Munich, Germany.
The N73 was among the first BMW engines to receive the revolutionary Valvetronic
technology, which surprisingly gives it more economical fuel consumption than older non-Valvetronic V8 BMW engines. It is also more economical than the S85B50
5.0L V10
engine which powers the BMW M5
/M6.
However, the N73 was not on par with flagship engines of Mercedes-Benz
, considered BMW's direct competitor, resulting in the BMW 760i/760Li (E65/66) being underpowered compared to the Mercedes-Benz
S600 and S65 AMG (both powered by twin-turbo V12s). The 760i/760Li most closely competed with the Audi A8
L W12
and Audi S8
(V10).
The N73 was rendered obsolete by the release of the next-generation F01 7 Series, as the twin-turbo V8 N63
was a close match for the N73. The next V12 engine, the N74, was redesigned as a twin-turbo for the F01 760i/Li in order to maintain its status as the flagship of the range.
Applications:
V12 engine
A V12 engine is a V engine with 12 cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of six cylinders, usually but not always at a 60° angle to each other, with all 12 pistons driving a common crankshaft....
from BMW
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
, built in Munich, Germany.
The N73 was among the first BMW engines to receive the revolutionary Valvetronic
Valvetronic
The Valvetronic system is a variable valve timing system to offer continuous and precisely variable intake valve lift, from ~0 to 10 mm, and duration. It typically works in conjunction with the independent Double VANOS system that continuously varies the timing...
technology, which surprisingly gives it more economical fuel consumption than older non-Valvetronic V8 BMW engines. It is also more economical than the S85B50
BMW S85
The BMW S85B50 is a DOHC 40-valve V10 automotive piston engine present in the E60 M5 sedan, E61 M5 touring and E63/64 M6 coupé. It was derived directly from BMW's Formula 1 racing division....
5.0L V10
V10 engine
A V10 engine is a V engine with 10 cylinders in two banks of five with a distinct exhaust note.- Mechanics :The V10 is essentially the result of mating two even-firing straight-5 engines together. The straight-5 engine shows first and second order rocking motion...
engine which powers the BMW M5
BMW M5
The first BMW M5, based on the E28 5 Series, made its debut at Amsterdam Motor Show in February 1984. It was the product of demand for an automobile with the carrying capacity of a saloon , but the overall performance of a sports car. It utilized the 535i chassis and an evolution of the engine from...
/M6.
However, the N73 was not on par with flagship engines of Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
, considered BMW's direct competitor, resulting in the BMW 760i/760Li (E65/66) being underpowered compared to the Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
S600 and S65 AMG (both powered by twin-turbo V12s). The 760i/760Li most closely competed with the Audi A8
Audi A8
The Audi A8 is a four-door, full-size, luxury sedan car manufactured and marketed by the German automaker Audi since 1994. Succeeding the Audi V8, the A8 has been offered with front wheel drive or permanent four-wheel drive, with multitronic or tiptronic automatic transmissions — and in short- and...
L W12
W12 engine
A W12 engine is a twelve cylinder piston internal combustion engine in a W configuration. W12 engines are manufactured in two distinct configurations. One configuration uses four rows of three cylinders merged into two 'cylinder banks' , coupled to a common crankshaft - as in Volkswagen Group W12...
and Audi S8
Audi S8
The Audi S8 quattro is a high-performance version of the German luxury automaker Audi's flagship car, the full-size Audi A8. The S8 is produced at Audi's Neckarsulm 'aluminium plant', and it was introduced in September 1994...
(V10).
The N73 was rendered obsolete by the release of the next-generation F01 7 Series, as the twin-turbo V8 N63
BMW N63
The N63 is a family of 4.4L, direct-injected, twin-turbocharged V8 automobile engines produced by BMW since 2008.-Specifications:The N63B44 features a reverse-flow air design in which the turbochargers are mounted in the engine valley and the intake manifolds are located on the sides of the block...
was a close match for the N73. The next V12 engine, the N74, was redesigned as a twin-turbo for the F01 760i/Li in order to maintain its status as the flagship of the range.
| Engine | Displacement | Power | Torque | Redline | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N73B60 | 6.0 L (5972 cc/364 in³) | 327 kW (445 hp) @ 6000 | 600 N·m (442 ft·lbf) @ 3950 | 6500 | 2003 |
N73B60
The N73B60 displaces 5972 cc and produces 445 PS at 6000 rpm and 600 newton metre at 3950 rpm.Applications:
- E65/E66 760i/760LiBMW 7 SeriesThe BMW 7 Series is a line of full-size luxury vehicles produced by the German automaker BMW. Introduced in 1977, it is BMW's flagship car and is only available as a sedan or extended-length limousine...
- Rolls-Royce Phantom (2003-Present)