The Highest Torque Ever In A 3.0-Liter Engine

Diesel engines have long been known for their durability, efficiency, and

high torque output
. While their popularity has never been especially high in the United States with a few little exceptions, diesel remains a dominant force in Europe. Across the Old Continent, diesel engines power everything from compacts to high-performance sports sedans and luxury SUVs. Their ability to provide excellent fuel economy while delivering substantial

low-end torque
makes them a preferred choice for both long-haul drivers and enthusiasts who value power.

One of the most significant advantages of diesel engines is how they deliver torque. Unlike high-revving gasoline engines, which need to reach higher RPMs to unleash their full power,

diesel engines
offer peak torque much earlier, making them ideal for effortless acceleration, towing, and highway cruising. This characteristic has led to the creation of some incredibly powerful diesel engines, including one specific 3.0-liter engine that holds the title for the highest torque output in its category.

Alpina’s 3.0-liter Diesel Engine Has The Highest Torque Of All 3.0 Engines

BMW

Divisions

M

Founded

1916

Founder

Karl Rapp and Gustav Otto

Headquarters

Munich, Germany

Alpina D5 S 3.0L Diesel Engine Key Specs

Source: Alpina

Alpina
, a renowned performance tuner specializing in BMW vehicles, has created the most powerful 3.0-liter engine in terms of torque. Found in the Alpina D5 S performance sedan, a diesel-powered brother to the

Alpina B5
, this 3.0-liter inline-six diesel engine produces an astonishing 590 lb/ft of torque between 1,750 – 2,750 RPM, making it the highest-torque 3.0-liter engine ever put into a production car. And the best thing? You can also have it under the hood of the D5 S in wagon form.

In addition to its record-breaking torque output, this engine generates 408 horsepower, allowing the family vehicle to accelerate from 0-62 mph in just 4.4 seconds. This level of performance is unheard of for production

diesel-powered sedan
and wagon, proving that Alpina has managed to strike an incredible balance between efficiency, power, and usability.

This record-setting engine is based on the BMW N57 diesel engine, a widely used and highly respected powerplant on European soil. However, Alpina has made extensive modifications to push its performance to new levels. The upgrades include a sophisticated triple-turbocharging system, a reworked fuel injection system, and reinforced internal components designed to handle the extreme torque output.

Unlike many high-performance gasoline engines that require high revs to unlock their full potential, Alpina’s diesel masterpiece delivers maximum torque as early as 1,750 RPM, ensuring incredible responsiveness, unmatched by most 3.0-liter gas engines. This makes the motor ideal for both high-speed cruising and dynamic performance driving. With its ability to produce 590 lb/ft of torque, this engine surpasses all other 3.0-liter powerplants in terms of raw pulling power.

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Alpina’s Inline-6 Features Three Turbochargers And Reinforced Internals

As mentioned, Alpina’s 3.0-liter diesel engine features a triple-turbocharging system, which sets it apart from conventional twin-turbo setups. The three turbochargers work together to provide seamless power delivery across the entire rev range. At low RPMs, a small turbocharger spools up quickly, eliminating turbo lag and providing an instant boost. As the revs increase, the second and third turbos engage, further amplifying power and ensuring a steady flow of torque throughout the powerband.

The high-pressure common-rail fuel injection system operates at up to 2,500 bar, allowing precise fuel atomization and improving combustion efficiency. This results in better power output, lower emissions, and increased fuel economy – up to 33 miles per gallon depending on the way it’s driven.

To handle the immense torque output, Alpina has reinforced several internal engine components. The crankshaft, pistons, and connecting rods have been strengthened to withstand the additional stress, ensuring long-term durability and reliability. Additionally, the engine features upgraded cooling systems, including a larger intercooler and improved oil cooling.

The transmission paired with this engine is an 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox, which has been specially tuned by Alpina to handle the engine’s extreme torque levels. The gearbox provides smooth, quick shifts while ensuring that power is delivered efficiently to all four wheels through BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system.

Alpina’s 3.0L Diesel Highlights

• Triple-turbocharging: Three turbos work together for seamless power delivery, eliminating turbo lag and ensuring strong acceleration.
• High-pressure fuel injection: A common-rail system operates at 2,500 bar, optimizing combustion efficiency and fuel economy.
• Reinforced internal components: Strengthened crankshaft, pistons, and connecting rods handle extreme torque levels.
• Upgraded cooling system: Larger intercooler and oil cooling to maintain optimal engine temperatures under heavy loads.

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Other Applications Of The N57 Engine Family

While the Alpina version of the N57 engine is the most torquey, the standard BMW N57 family has been widely used across the Bavarian brand’s lineup. This versatile family of diesel mills has powered several high-end models, staying in production from 2008 until 2019.

The BMW 530d, 740d, and X5 30d have all utilized various versions of the N57 engine. While these models don’t reach the same 590 lb/ft figure as the Alpina version, they still provide outstanding pulling power and refinement.

Another notable application of the N57 engine was in the

BMW M550d xDrive
, which featured a tri-turbo setup similar to Alpina’s. In this configuration, the engine produced 546 lb/ft of torque, making it one of BMW’s most powerful diesel engines in history. However, Alpina’s modifications pushed the performance even further, cementing the D5 S’s engine as the undisputed torque king of 3.0-liter engines.

Other High-Torque 3.0-liter Engines

Although Alpina’s 3.0-liter diesel powerplant holds the record, other high-torque 3.0-liter engines deserve recognition for their impressive performance. Here are two of the most powerful alternatives.

Ferrari Tipo F163

Ferrari’s Tipo F163 is a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine found in the

Ferrari 296 GTB
. Unlike diesel engines, which emphasize low-end torque, this high-revving gasoline engine delivers its 546 lb/ft of torque in a much sportier manner. Producing 818 horsepower, it is paired with a plug-in hybrid system, allowing the car to achieve breathtaking acceleration of 0-60 mph in just 2.4 seconds. This powertrain showcases how smaller displacement engines can still achieve impressive torque figures while maintaining the high-revving characteristics that Ferrari is known for.

Specs

Volkswagen EA897 3.0L V6 TDI

Volkswagen’s EA897 is a 3.0-liter V6 TDI diesel engine found in

high-end sedans
such as the

Audi S6
and Audi S7. The interesting thing about it is that it was actually developed by Audi, but Volkswagen also uses it for the Touareg in a single-turbo version. Producing 516 lb/ft of torque and 345 horsepower in the bi-turbo variant, this engine is a favorite among those customers in Europe who want strong diesel performance in a

luxury sedan
.

Specs

Sources: Alpina, BMW, Ferrari, Volkswagen