Prince is the codename for a family of straight-four 16-valve all-aluminium gasoline engines with variable valve lift and variable valve timing developed by BMW and PSA Peugeot Citroën. It is a compact engine family of 1.4–1.6 L 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 118 hp at 6000 rpm) in 2007-2010 Cooper; N14 (Single VANOS, Turbocharged 171 hp at 5500 rpm) in 2007-2010 Cooper-S; N14 (Single VANOS, Turbocharged 208 hp at 6000 rpm) in 2009-2013 JCW Cooper; N16 (Double VANOS, Valvetronic 121 hp at 6000 rpm) in 2011-2013 Cooper and N18 (Double VANOS, Valvetronic Turbocharged 181 hp at 5500 rpm) 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-liter 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 200 PS. 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 84 mm cylinder bore spacing, with 77 mm bore. The 1.6 litre engine has a stroke of 85.8 mm. The engine features a two-piece "bedplate" aluminium crankcase for extra stiffness.

1.4-litre EP3/EP3C (PSA)

The 1.4 L PSA EP3 and EP3C is the smallest member of the Prince family with a stroke measuring 75 mm and total capacity of 1397 cc. Depending on application, power output varies from 95 to 98 PS while torque varies from 137 to 140 Nm. Applications:

1.6-litre EP6/EP6C naturally aspirated (PSA)

The 1.6 L engine is used in the second-generation MINI and various Peugeot 207 models. It has an 85.8 mm stroke for a total of 1598 cc 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 120 PS at 6000 rpm with a redline of 6500 rpm. Torque is 160 Nm at 4250 rpm. Applications:

1.6-litre turbocharged (PSA)

The turbocharged 1.6 L unit adds gasoline direct injection and has special low-pressure die-cast heads. It has an 85.8 mm stroke for a total of 1598 cc 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 240 Nm at 1400 rpm. Power output is 150 PS at 5500 rpm. Applications: For the THP163 maximum torque is 240 Nm at 1400 rpm. Power output is 165 PS at 5500 rpm. Applications: For the THP175 (EP6DTS, later EP6CDTS) maximum torque is 247 Nm at 1600 rpm, remaining flat to 5000 rpm. Power output is 175 PS at 5500 rpm. An overboost function is available which temporarily increases torque to 260 Nm between 1700 rpm and 4500 rpm in gears 3 to 5. Applications: In 2010 Peugeot released the 1.6 THP engine (EP6CDTX ) with 200 PS at 5500 rpm, maximum torque 275 Nm at 1700 rpm. 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 204 PS. Applications: The 2012–2014 Mini John Cooper Works GP featured additional performance, with 218 PS at 6000 rpm and 280 Nm of torque at 2000–5100 rpm 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:

BMW N13 version

The turbocharged 1.6 litre 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: 75 kW version 100 kW version 125 kW version 130 kW version

Mini N14 and N18 versions

The turbocharged 1.6 litre 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 its very latest 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 OEM's. PSA will continue to develop the higher power models of the engine family, with future production planned for China with its JV partners DONFENG (DPCA) and Changan (CAPSA).