BMW is Considering 4-cylinder Powered 1-Series and 3-Series Models in the US

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BMW is going to slow production of its slower selling V8 engines in favor of more fuel efficient engines, but now the automaker is close to a decision concerning offering 4-cylinder engines in the 1 and 3-Series models in the US.

In addition to the decreased V8 production BMW is also going to phase out 6-cylinder production at its Munich plant in favor of 4-cylinders. BMW plans on producing 240,000 4-cyl engines a year at the plant.

A 4-cylinder in the 1-Series could give the model the boost it needs in the US since the 1-series has failed to take off due to the fact that it is priced to close to the larger 3-Series. As more consumers begin to demand 4-cylinder engines it makes sense that BMW once again offer a 4-cylinder in the 3-Series as well. The 120i and 320i sell well in Europe and BMW’s project director Oliver Friedmann believes the 4-cylinders will do well here as well.

BMW has no plans to offer 4-cylinder diesels in the US.

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