No, BMW does not directly make Rolls-Royce engines in the sense of using identical, off-the-shelf BMW powerplants. Contrary to popular belief, Rolls-Royce vehicles do not use BMW engines that are simply rebadged. While BMW owns Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, the engines found in Rolls-Royce vehicles are bespoke designs, developed specifically for the luxury marque.
The Nuance of Ownership and Engineering
BMW Group acquired Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in 1998, giving them control over the luxury automobile brand. However, this ownership does not mean that Rolls-Royce vehicles are simply BMWs in different clothing or that they use engines interchangeable with those in BMW-branded cars.Under BMW's stewardship, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars designs, develops, and builds its own unique engines. These engines, while benefiting from BMW's vast engineering resources, technology, and components as a foundation, are meticulously re-engineered and tuned to meet the specific requirements of a Rolls-Royce: unparalleled refinement, effortless power, and silent operation. They are distinct Rolls-Royce engines, not standard BMW engines.
A Historical Connection, Not a Shared Engine Bay
The reference points to a "historical connection" between the two brands. This connection is primarily through BMW's acquisition of the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars brand. It's important to distinguish between Rolls-Royce plc (which makes aircraft engines) and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars (which makes luxury automobiles). BMW acquired the latter's branding rights and car manufacturing operations. This acquisition secured the future of the Rolls-Royce automobile, allowing it to leverage BMW's automotive expertise without sacrificing its unique identity or engineering standards.Key Characteristics of Rolls-Royce Engines
Rolls-Royce engines embody a philosophy focused on bespoke luxury and performance, distinct from BMW's high-performance or efficiency-driven powertrains. Key characteristics include:- Bespoke Design: While they may start with a BMW engine architecture (such as a V12), the Rolls-Royce engines undergo extensive modifications to meet the brand's unique standards. This includes unique cylinder heads, crankshafts, turbos, and engine management systems.
- Focus on Refinement and Torque: Rolls-Royce engines are engineered for silent, smooth operation and immense, effortless torque delivery at low RPMs, rather than outright horsepower figures or high-revving performance.
- V12 Configuration: Modern Rolls-Royce models predominantly use large V12 engines, a configuration chosen for its inherent balance and smoothness, contributing to the "magic carpet ride" experience.
- Specific Tuning: Every component, from intake manifolds to exhaust systems, is tuned to minimize noise and vibration, ensuring the cabin remains exceptionally quiet.
- Hand-Built Elements: Many parts of Rolls-Royce engines are assembled and finished with a level of craftsmanship synonymous with the brand.
Examples of Rolls-Royce Engines
Modern Rolls-Royce vehicles, such as the Phantom, Ghost, and Cullinan, utilize powerful V12 engines. For instance:- Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII: Features a 6.75-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine.
- Rolls-Royce Ghost and Cullinan: Also employ variants of a 6.75-liter twin-turbocharged V12.
These engines are tuned to deliver power smoothly and silently, epitomizing the Rolls-Royce driving experience. While these engines might share some fundamental architecture with BMW's own N74 V12 engine, they are heavily customized and exclusive to Rolls-Royce, with unique components and software calibrations that fundamentally change their character and performance profile.
