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Wikipedia / Prince engine

Prince is the codename for a family of straight-four 16-valve all-aluminium gasoline enginess with variable valve lift and variable valve timing developed by BMW and PSA Peugeot Citroën. It is a compact engine family of 1.4–1.6L in displacement and includes most modern features such as gasoline direct injection and turbocharger.

The BMW versions of the Prince engine are known as the N13 and the Mini versions are N12 (Double VANOS, Valvetronic at 6000rpm) in 2007–2010 Cooper; N14 (Single VANOS, Turbocharged at 5500rpm) in 2007–2010 Cooper-S; N14 (Single VANOS, Turbocharged at 6000rpm) in 2009–2013 JCW Cooper; N16 (Double VANOS, Valvetronic at 6000rpm) in 2011–2013 Cooper and N18 (Double VANOS, Valvetronic Turbocharged at 5500rpm) in 2011–2013 Cooper-S. It replaced the Tritec engine family in the Mini and was first introduced in 2006 for MINI. Later in 2011 also for BMW models F20 and F21 114i, 116i and 118i . This was the first longitudinal engine mount option for Prince engine.

PSA started to use the Prince family in 2006 to replace a part of their TU family (the other part being replaced by the EB engine) — the Peugeot 207 being the first car to receive it.

The engine's components are produced by PSA at their Douvrin, France, facility, with MINI and BMW engine assembly at Hams Hall in Warwickshire, UK. The co-operation was announced on 23 July 2002 with the first engines produced in 2006. The Prince engine project is not related to the Prince Motor Company.

In late 2006, an extension of the cooperation between the two groups was announced, promising new four-cylinder engines, without further details.

On 29 September 2010, it was announced by BMW that the turbocharged 1.6-litre version of the Prince engine would be supplied from 2012 to Saab for use in forthcoming models, primarily the 9-3. However, with the closure of SAAB, supply never started.

At the Geneva Auto Show 2011, Saab unveiled their last concept vehicle: the Saab PhoeniX was fitted with the 1.6-litre, turbocharged BMW Prince engine with .

On 25 June 2014 1.6-litre turbo Prince engine won its eighth consecutive International Engine of the Year Award in the 1.4 to 1.8-litre category. In 2014 the Prince engine beat, among others, the new BMW B38 engine which is replacing the Prince engine in the Mini and BMW lineups.

Design

The Prince family shares its basic block dimensions with the previous PSA TU engine family. Engineering design was directed by BMW using their Valvetronic variable valve lift system on the intake side, flow-controlled oil pump, timing chain, single belt drive of all ancillary units, composite camshafts and cylinder head produced by lost-foam casting. It is also equipped with an on-demand water pump. Gasoline direct injection with a twin-scroll turbocharger will be used on the higher power versions.

All Prince engines will share cylinder bore spacing, with bore. The 1.6 litre engine has a stroke of . The engine features a two-piece "bedplate" aluminium crankcase for extra stiffness.

1.4-litre EP3/EP3C (PSA)

The 1.4L PSA EP3 and EP3C is the smallest member of the Prince family with a stroke measuring and total capacity of . Depending on application, power output varies from while torque varies from .

Applications:

1.6-litre EP6/EP6C naturally aspirated (PSA)

The 1.6L engine is used in the second-generation MINI and various Peugeot 207 models. It has an stroke for a total of of displacement.

The naturally aspirated variant (EP6, EP6C) has conventional fuel injection and lost-foam cast cylinder heads. Its 11:1 compression ratio creates an output of at 6000rpm with a redline of 6500rpm. Torque is at 4250rpm.

Applications:

1.6-litre turbocharged (PSA)

The turbocharged 1.6L unit adds gasoline direct injection and has special low-pressure die-cast heads. It has an stroke for a total of of displacement.

At first, there were two versions on offer – the THP150 and THP175, also known as the EP6DT and EP6DTS respectively within Peugeot. The first was later updated as EP6CDT and also as THP163, EP6CDTM. There is also EP6CDT MD – with lowered compression ratio.

For the THP150 maximum torque is at 1400rpm. Power output is at 5500rpm.

Applications:

For the THP163 maximum torque is at 1400rpm. Power output is at 5500rpm.

Applications:

For the THP175 (EP6DTS, later EP6CDTS) maximum torque is at 1600rpm, remaining flat to 5000rpm. Power output is at 5500rpm. An overboost function is available which temporarily increases torque to between 1700rpm and 4500rpm in gears 3 to 5.

Applications:

In 2010 Peugeot released the 1.6 THP engine (EP6CDXD) with at 5500rpm, maximum torque at 1700rpm. It featured direct injection, twin-scroll turbocharger and Valvetronic variable valve lift. It was first introduced in the Peugeot RCZ sport compact for the 2010 model year, where it generates .

Applications:

The 2012–2014 Mini John Cooper Works GP featured additional performance, with at 6000rpm and of torque at 2000–5100rpm from a larger turbo and engine internals.

PSA has now released a new Euro 6 engine based on the THP in the following Engine codes:

In 2024, Stellantis unveiled the third generation of this engine (EP6LTCHPD) with 150 hp (110 kW) at 5500 rpm and 300 N⋅m at 2000 rpm. This variant is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (trade name e-DCS7) with an integrated 92kW electric motor, for a combined total of 195hp and 350 N⋅m.

Applications:

In 2025, Stellantis unveiled the North American version known internally as the EP6CDTX for use in STLA Medium and STLA Large vehicles in conventional non plugin hybrid setups, for the North American market. It has a power output of 210hp and 230lb torque.

Applications:

BMW N13 version

The turbocharged 1.6litre version used by BMW is called the BMW N13. The N13 replaced the naturally aspirated BMW N43 engine and was produced from 2011 to 2016. It is BMW's first turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine since the BMW 2002 Turbo ceased production in 1974.

BMW sold the N13 alongside the larger displacement BMW N20 turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The N13 was effectively replaced by the turbocharged three-cylinder BMW B38 engine.Applications:

75kW version

100kW version

125kW version

130kW version

Mini N14 and N18 versions

The turbocharged 1.6litre versions used by Mini are called the Mini N14 and Mini N18. The N18 succeeded the N14 starting from 2010 and had double Vanos. The N14/N18 engine uses direct injection, a twin-scroll turbocharger and Valvetronic (variable valve lift).

Issues

There have been several cases of recalls and/or extended warranty due to failing HPFP (high pressure fuel pumps) in the Prince engine.

There was a service bulletin issued in 2013 due to failing timing chains and timing chain tensioner, both designed by BMW, in the Prince engine.

Production

The production of MINI version of 'Prince' family of engines is set to end by 2016 and be replaced by a new 3 and 4 cylinder Engine family – BMW B37, BMW B38 and BMW B48.

In 2015 it was announced, on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, that BMW had signed an IPR deal with XCE. They will make the N18 TVDI engine in China for use in various Brilliance Automotive vehicles (JV Partner of BMW in China) and also for other China OEMs.

PSA will continue to develop the higher power models of the engine family, with future production planned for China with its JV partners Dongfeng (DPCA) and Changan (CAPSA).

From 2025, the engine will be produced in the Dundee plant, in a new hybridised version that will first be used by the new Jeep Cherokee.

References

Bibliography