The Bavarian savings concept of 1983
08/31/2013
The "e" in the "525 e" stood for "eta", the mathematical symbol for efficiency. And the BMW 525 e was a very special five-wheeler that the Bavarians presented in 1983. For the eta concept, an engine was developed that was "characterized by significantly reduced fuel consumption without sacrificing characteristics such as superior performance and engine comfort".
The eta engine delivered its maximum output of 122/125 hp at just over 4000 rpm, with maximum torque of 240 Nm at 3250 rpm. The red speed range started at 4500 rpm.
This made the 2.7-liter straight-six engine economical, but its low rev concept was not conducive to the typical BMW driving pleasure, so it disappeared from the sales lists in 1987.
Incidentally, the eta engine was available in the three and the five and, for the sake of completeness, we also want to show the entire E28 series five.
Despite its not exactly outstanding success on the market, the engine proved what unfortunately seems to have been forgotten today, namely that (in-line) six-cylinder engines could also be economical (and did not need to be replaced by four-cylinder turbo engines).
