BMW Engine Production in the United Kingdom

Описание: Footage shows production at the Hams Hall factory, 4-cylinder engines with Valvetronic, 2002.

Hams Hall Plant History:
2001-2004: Production first started at Plant Hams Hall with BMW's brand-new generation of four-cylinder petrol engines, entering the market with the launch of the BMW 316ti Compact. The naturally aspirated NG4 engine was the first to feature BMW Group’s Valvetronic technology, which reduced fuel consumption by at least 10%.

It was the first Hams Hall-built power unit to pick up an International Engine of the Year Award. The plant became BMW Group’s sole supplier of the four-cylinder petrol engines, between 1.6 and 2.0 litres, that went on to power a number of BMW models.

2005-2008: 2005 marked a pivotal moment for the plant, as the first engines destined for BMW Group Plant Spartanburg in South Carolina were exported to the United States. These 2.0-litre engines powered the BMW Z4 Coupe.

2006: A special production facility was installed at Plant Hams Hall in 2006 to manufacture engines for the homologation of the BMW 320si for the FIA WTCC. In total, 2,600 units of the in-line four-cylinder engine were produced, built by hand on a dedicated production line. The 2.0-litre unit delivered 173hp at 7,000rpm (before reaching its red line at 7,300rpm) and 200Nm of torque at 4,250rpm.

In a direct link with BMW Motorsport’s programmes of the time, before arriving at Hams Hall, the cylinder heads were cast at BMW's Landshut foundry alongside Formula One engine blocks. The cylinder head cover was made of carbon fibre, reducing weight by approximately 10kg.

From 2006: In September 2006, the Hams Hall plant expanded its remit with production of an additional, second engine family, supplying the MINI brand and the Oxford production plant for the very first time. An all-new production facility was installed to produce this brand-new engine family, internal code name ‘Prince’, alongside existing NG4 engine production.

A 1.6-litre petrol engine variant powered the new MINI Cooper Hatch to produce 120hp, acceleration from 0-62mph in 9.1 seconds and a top speed of 126mph. Powered by a turbocharged and intercooled version from this engine family, the MINI Cooper S Hatch produced 175hp, covered the 0-62mph sprint in 7.1 seconds and achieved a top speed of 140mph. MINI One Hatch was powered by a 1.4-litre engine derivative with a maximum output of 95hp, that followed in 2007.

From 2010: Plant Hams Hall powered the ever-growing MINI family. MINI First and One models were fitted with a 1.6 litre engine, replacing the 1.4 litre unit. The iconic Cooper S model was powered by a unit that for the first time, saw the twin-scroll turbocharger and petrol direct injection system offered together with fully variable valve control.

2011: With the introduction of the new second generation BMW 1 Series in 2011, Plant Hams Hall introduced a longitudinal version of the Prince engine. These units powered a new generation of rear-wheel drive BMW models, including the 114i, 116i and 118i.

2014: The BMW i8 Coupé was the first BMW production vehicle to be powered by a 3-cylinder petrol engine. This 1.5 litre three cylinder engine developed 231hp, equating to an exceptional specific power output of 154hp/litre. Combined with BMW eDrive technology together they formed the vehicle’s hybrid system, with a power output of 266kW/362hp achieved and a sprint from 0‒62 mph in just 4.4 seconds.

2015: Significant investment in the plant came to fruition when a brand-new, high-volume engine production facility started to build BMW Group’s latest generation of three and four-cylinder petrol engines.

2016: Upgraded facilities saw Plant Hams Hall introduce a three-cylinder engine derivative for plug-in hybrids with the BMW 225xe Active Tourer plug-in hybrid the first vehicle to receive this latest-generation engine. The plant continues to produce these engines, and has now integrated production of a four-cylinder derivative.

2018: BMW Group Plant Hams Hall was the first BMW Group production plant to build a new high-powered derivative of the latest generation four-cylinder Baukasten engine. It was introduced in the BMW X2 M35i, delivering 306hp and setting new benchmarks. The two-litre TwinPower Turbo engine was the very first M Performance series production four-cylinder engine and the most powerful BMW four-cylinder engine ever built.

2019: Another upgrade to assembly facilities enabled Plant Hams Hall to introduce a longitudinal version of the latest generation of four-cylinder engines into production. This engine is supplied for the range of BMW X models.

2020: Hams Hall built 3,000 power units for the limited-edition MINI John Cooper Works GP. A 306hp four-cylinder turbocharged engine accelerates this special two-seater model from 0-62 mph in just 5.2 seconds.

Production of three and four-cylinder petrol engines, including engines for plug-in hybrid vehicles continues at the Hams Hall plant.