[Mark]

As reported on homepage.

About half the vehicles BMW sells worldwide come equipped with four-cylinder engines, yet the German luxury car maker's single biggest market doesn't sport a single four-banger in its entire lineup. BMW hasn't sold a vehicle with a four-cylinder engine in the U.S. in over a decade, but company vice president of US engineering Tom Baloga told Bloomberg that the trend won't likely continue.

The U.S. government is mandating fuel economy averages of 35.5 mpg by 2016; a number that will shrink engine sizes for most automakers. BMW's overall fuel economy for the 2008 model year was reportedly 26.5 mpg, which means the Munich, Germany-based automaker has a lot of work to do to achieve that number. And since customers have come to expect a certain level of performance from BMW, Baloga says the company will have to increase fuel economy without hurting performance. To keep performance levels high, we expect to see more turbocharging and direct injection in future models.

Interestingly, BMW already meets 2016 U.S. fuel economy standards with its model lineup in Europe, but team Bimmer reportedly doesn't plan to fill out the bulk of its lineup with oil burners. BMW already has diesel powerplants in its 335d and the X5 in the States, though, so we wouldn't be surprised to see more diesels in the years to come.

Source: Bloomberg ( http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...d=ahNp0hdZXILY ) via BMWBlog ( http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/07/09/bl...nes-in-the-us/ ) and Autoblog ( http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/21/r...d-back-to-u-s/ )

[max08e90]

So long V8's :/

[kgb1637]

Can you say twin turbo M3

[ak335]

this is sad

[135Eye]

Originally Posted by ak335

this is sad

Why is it sad to have a few more choices when it comes to engines?

[Bimmer Nerd]

most of you guys are taking this the wrong way, look at Subaru, GTI's and evo's for instance 4 cylinder turbo charged engines that are light and gotta admit pretty fast, if BMW keeps the weight down and turbo charges there engines i don't see a reason to complain.

[jmunro]

Those WRX and Evo cars have crappy fuel economy despite turbocharged 4's...

[135Eye]

BMW has ALOT more experience and skill in making high performance and high quality 4 cylinder engines then most manufacturers out there..

.... after all, theres a reason why BMW designed their world headquarters to resemble 4 cylinders....

[amdmaxx]

once they get direct injection, we should see slight improvement.
or stay off the boost and u will get really nice mpg..

Originally Posted by jmunro

Those WRX and Evo cars have crappy fuel economy despite turbocharged 4's...

[E90 Skye]

I hope to get the current m3 in the not too distant future... ensuring the glory days of stuffing v8s into a 3 series to remain at least in my garage...

[jdcolombo]

Does the CAFE calculation include Mini or only BMW? I don't know how the fleet average number is calculated, but if it is for all car lines by a given manufacturer, then Mini should count, too, right?

In any event, I'd be tickled to see a turbo 4 in a 1 series or maybe the new Z2 roadster. I like my E90 a lot, but the 3 series really has gotten too big/heavy for my purposes. My next car will be a 1-series of some sort, probably a convertible, and I've got no problems at all with a turbo-4 in that.

John C.

[mtechnik3]

It's already confirmed with the dealers. The 1-series is getting a 4 cyl diesel option next yr.

[antzcrashing]

this is bad for car sales, and BMW who seems to be following the "rules" of the MPG legislation. But US automakers aren't going to play by the rules, and BMW will get no more than a pat on the back.

on a different note: smaller engines in smaller, lighter cars is a good thing

[fdsasdasdf]

Good. I don't care if it's a 4-cylinder, 2-cylinder, electric, hydrogen, hybrid, etc. If it handles as well, achieves as much excitement/torque/horsepower or more than the previous generation, then I am happy. There's nothing wrong with trying to get more out of less.

We live on just one planet; we can't go anywhere else. Why not try to reduce our impact? If anyone says anything about manliness, being a wuss, etc, then get over yourself.

[Imola.ZHP]

Originally Posted by ///MiroE90

It's already confirmed with the dealers. The 1-series is getting a 4 cyl diesel option next yr.

I wouldn't put much stock in anything a dealer claims, they are usually the last to know...

[Pharmacist_]

Originally Posted by Zell

Good. I don't care if it's a 4-cylinder, 2-cylinder, electric, hydrogen, hybrid, etc. If it handles as well, achieves as much excitement/torque/horsepower or more than the previous generation, then I am happy. There's nothing wrong with trying to get more out of less.

We live on just one planet; we can't go anywhere else. Why not try to reduce our impact? If anyone says anything about manliness, being a wuss, etc, then get over yourself.

+1

The horsepower/displacement war didn't have too much life left in the near future, as the potential for gain has decreased significantly over the last few years in the entry level segment.

As Zell noted, this will challenge automakers to produce lighter, more efficient performance oriented cars. These are what engineers thrive on, and we will see some great products will minimal if any loss on the performance/fun side.

Guys have some faith in innovation. You could look at it either way, but to me this is a very exciting time where we could return to lighter more tossable options.

[Mark]

Originally Posted by Pharmacist_

+1

The horsepower/displacement war didn't have too much life left in the near future, as the potential for gain has decreased significantly over the last few years in the entry level segment.

As Zell noted, this will challenge automakers to produce lighter, more efficient performance oriented cars. These are what engineers thrive on, and we will see some great products will minimal if any loss on the performance/fun side.

Guys have some faith in innovation. You could look at it either way, but to me this is a very exciting time where we could return to lighter more tossable options.

Agreed! I think we are past the point of where high horesepower wins. Most of the horsepower and torque cars produce these days are completly wasted and not actually useable.

BMW has always been about innovation and the new technical challenges are definitly in trying to maintain the current levels of comfort, quality, safety and performance in a lighter and more efficient package. I have faith that BMW is far ahead of the pack and is turning the ship in the right direction to tackle the future.

None of this is to say BMW is not capable of producing amazing high performance M cars, etc.. but I don't see the two as mutually exclusive and a car company can produce both high power vehicles and light weight efficient vehicles at the same time...

[Pharmacist_]

Originally Posted by MarkE90M3

None of this is to say BMW is not capable of producing amazing high performance M cars, etc.. but I don't see the two as mutually exclusive and a car company can produce both high power vehicles and light weight efficient vehicles at the same time...

Well said Mark

[asian010]

maybe we can get a super high revving 2liter i4. that would be fun.

[HermesRider]

Interesting... is it just me thinking that if BMW reintroduced an e30-like m3 with 4cylinder engine with turbo and significant horsepower increase, but same lightweight and handling as the e30 that Bimmer nuts would go crazy and call it the best car ever? I'd buy it for $70k. I just couldn't live with my conscience buying the big v8 this time around...

[leeor]

Originally Posted by 135Eye

Attachment 288582

BMW has ALOT more experience and skill in making high performance and high quality 4 cylinder engines then most manufacturers out there..

.... after all, theres a reason why BMW designed their world headquarters to resemble 4 cylinders....

i want huge logos in my room. . . .

[Bora20]

Bring over all the options I say, especially the 4-cylinder diesel cars. Let companies with fleets buy/lease them or anyone else that wants them.

I really just want a 330d. I don't really need the 335d.