BMW will equip U.S. cars with 4-cylinder engines
 

http://www.autonews.com/article/2009...909159982/1172
FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW
BMW will equip U.S. cars with 4-cylinder engines

Jason Stein
and Diana T. Kurylko
Automotive News
September 15, 2009 - 3:46 pm ET

FRANKFURT -- BMW plans to offer four-cylinder gasoline engines in the United States in an effort to meet stricter fuel economy rules.

Introduction of the powerplants, equipped with the automaker's next-generation twin turbochargers, “is the goal and we will do it,” Jim O'Donnell, CEO of BMW of North America, said today on the sidelines of the Frankfurt auto show.

O'Donnell said the engines will allow the automaker to reach U.S. targets before 2015. Under federal guidelines proposed today, automakers will have to improve the fuel economy of their fleets by 5 percent annually before a national standard of 35.5 mpg takes effect in the 2016 model year.

BMW will add a four-cylinder variant for its next 3 series in the United States by spring 2012, O'Donnell said. The automaker already equips its European 3 series with four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines.

BMW also is considering adding four-cylinder gasoline engines to its X1 and X3 crossovers and 1-series model in the United States.

In Europe, the X1 will be available with a four-cylinder, twin-turbo diesel engine when it launches this fall. The X3 and 1 series also are offered with four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines in Europe.

“We see potentially a significant market that could get to 100,000 four-cylinder engines” in the United States, O'Donnell said.

Turbos can easily become very thirsty. Naturally aspirated please.

Huh? Thermodynamically, a turbocharged engine is more efficient than a naturally aspirated engine of the same power.

3-cylinders are also coming.

Maybe they will have triple tailpipes, like the new Ferrari, and old Laverda motorcycles.

Perhaps, but I wouldn't mind less power and more efficiency.

Yes, the 335i can be as efficient as a 325i (Been there done that). But that's only if you really, really stay off the power, which is fine if you live in a relatively flat area. But start really digging into those turbos, and it'll be thirsty. Kind of like how Honda goofed a bit with the RDX, although I'm sure BMW doesn't make those kinds of mistakes.

Oh, ok, so your problem isn't with turbocharged engines, but with powerful engines. No argument here. I agree that an engine with less power is often more fuel efficient (speaking as a former owner of a 318i)

The article was proposing smaller turbo engines with the same power as larger naturally aspirated engines. The turbo models will be more efficient at the same power (as well as being lighter). Your 325 could then tie a 316 turbo in a race while consuming more fuel.