Currently BMW does not offer a four-cylinder powered car in the US, while it does in the rest of the world. Well that will soon change with the 3-Series once again being offered with a four banger in the US by 2012.
BMW's U.S. chief Jim O'Donnell revealed in Frankfurt this week that BMW is planning on releasing new 4-cylinder engines in the US that will feature twin-turbocharging technology. BMW's goal is to release the four-cylinder powered 3-Series by spring of 2012.
The addition of 4-cylinder engines to BMW's lineup is part of the company's goal to meet the new fuel economy standards in the US between now and 2016. Under the new guidelines automakers have to improve the fuel-economy of their entire fleet by 5 percent annually before the national standard of 35.5 mpg takes effect in 2016.
BMW is also considering offering a 4-cylinder in the X1, X3 and 1-Series.
| « Previous | Next » |
Comments (11)
That's sad. It's more sad when all a car company has to do is offer a new engine to claim better fleet mileage...
I already see enough entry/base BMW's, why do we need cheaper ones to dilute the luxury market even more.
Posted by Brian | September 16, 2009 1:53 PM
Posted on September 16, 2009 13:53
Audi does it, why not BMW? Nice turbo version of some 2.0-2.x L with closer to 300HP would be nice, although personally I'd favor inline 6.
Posted by DuDe | September 16, 2009 2:56 PM
Posted on September 16, 2009 14:56
If BMW doesn't offer four cylinder engines in the US, and they are going to bring them back in the 3 series, what about the 1 series?
Posted by Spycho | September 16, 2009 3:24 PM
Posted on September 16, 2009 15:24
BMW used to offer 4-cylinder engines in the US until around 2002-2004 (somewhere in there is when they stopped).
There's no reason that they can't have a 4-cylinder 3 series again (and yes, in the 90's they had as small as a 1.8 liter 4-cylinder in the 3 series). It was incredibly stupid for them to bring the 1 series over, which gets pretty good mpg on the European 4-cylinder models (especially the diesel!) and not offer 4-cylinder engines here. Their rationalization was not wanting to cannibalize Mini sales, but most people buying a Mini wouldn't shop for a BMW.
Posted by Totenglocke | September 16, 2009 3:28 PM
Posted on September 16, 2009 15:28
If BMW doesn't offer four cylinder engines in the US, and they are going to bring them back in the 3 series, what about the 1 series?
Posted by Spycho | September 16, 2009 4:00 PM
Posted on September 16, 2009 16:00
If BMW doesn't offer four cylinder engines in the US, and they are going to bring them back in the 3 series, what about the 1 series?
Posted by Spycho | September 16, 2009 4:02 PM
Posted on September 16, 2009 16:02
BMW stopped selling 318s in the US in 1998 and Z4 1.9Ls in 1999.
Posted by Cashmoney | September 16, 2009 6:12 PM
Posted on September 16, 2009 18:12
You're right Cashmoney. I was thinking of the 320 and 323 when I said that.
Posted by Totenglocke | September 16, 2009 6:38 PM
Posted on September 16, 2009 18:38
A twin turbo 4-cylinder? Wow.
Would it be a sequential setup (they are costly)?
Posted by Noya | September 16, 2009 8:45 PM
Posted on September 16, 2009 20:45
@Noya
I'm pretty sure it'll be set up just like all of BMW's other turbos (which I'm pretty sure are not sequential).
Posted by Totenglocke | September 16, 2009 10:05 PM
Posted on September 16, 2009 22:05
This is great news. It will be even better if Vishnu Tuning comes out with a gadget to up the HP to say 300~400! That would be value for your money! Their current system already increases the HP of the 335i to about 420 or so. It would definitely help with insurance costs.
Posted by HSD | May 24, 2010 5:38 AM
Posted on May 24, 2010 05:38