BMW Plans Widespread Use Of Water Injection To Improve Gas Mileage And Power

The water injection system from the BMW M4 GTS will feature in more car models from 2019, as its maker Bosch is now offering the technology to the wider automotive market.

The system works by spraying a fine vapour of distilled water into an engine’s intake before fuel combustion, reducing engine temperatures and therefore decreasing knocking, which wastes fuel. The results improve efficiency and increase engine power output as a result of faster ignition times.

Although the system was first introduced in BMW’s track-focused coupé and can offer a 5% boost in power, Bosch says its primary focus is to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions. It backs this claim up with promise of a boost in fuel efficiency by as much as 13% and reduction in CO2 emissions by 4%, according to the internationally recognised WLTP (Worldwide harmonised Light vehicles Test Procedures).
 

PUGPROUD - 8/30/2016 12:42:15 PM

+1 Boost

Need to fill tank with distilled water(guessing every 4th or 5th fill up)is not for me...just one more thing to clutter my life.

TheSteve - 8/30/2016 2:06:28 PM

+1 Boost

Make that *treated* distilled water, so it does not freeze in colder climes. Additional hardware is required, possibly a heater element and heated lines. DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) is a similar, in-production system (similarity = needing an additional water-based consumable fluid).

Just something to think about.

vdiv - 8/30/2016 2:57:50 PM

+2 Boost

Maybe just a cool air burst is not sufficient to cool the intake chamber. Any way to cool it externally?

MDarringer - 8/31/2016 8:34:25 AM

0 Boost

Typical German engineering: more complication solely for the sake of complication. The increase in MPG sounds impressive, but when you calculate it, the improvement is negligible. As for the CO2 reduction, that only matters if you're an Earth ninny who has bought into the myth/hysteria of global warming.

quizz - 9/1/2016 12:34:01 AM

+2 Boost

The extra cost and future repairs is not worth the 10% fuel savings over the life of the car.