BMW Details New Family of Engines

It has already been confirmed that the Z4 will be the first North American BMW to get their new 4-cylinder engine, but it certainly won’t be the last. BMW plans to put 6-cylinder, 4-cylinder and yes, even 3-cylinder engines in various models and trim levels. The purpose of the downsizing? Fuel efficiency, as always. BMW’s new efficientdynamics engines are expected to increase efficiency without sacrificing power. In fact there are power gains as BMW’s Theodor Melcher points out:

“(Downsizing) has nothing to do with the spirit of renunciation that many drivers associate with those engines. You can do things with a three now that you needed a six for in the past.”

With that said, the new engines will need a little help from high-pressure direct fuel-injection and turbochargers to make them capable of the power that we all expect from a BMW. Displacement will be between 400c and 500c.

The 3-cylinders will range in size of 1.2 litres to 1.5 litres. 4-cylinders will be in the 1.6 to 2.0 litre range, while the 6-cylinders will range from 2.4 litres to that lovely 3.0 litre that we all know and love. BMW hopes to get 50 to 70 horsepower per cylinder which means the 3.0 litre six could get as much as 400 horsepower. BMW is still sticking around with diesels which are also expected to be in the 3, 4 and 6 cylinder range. Their horsepower output per cylinder will be between 30 and 65. Both diesel and gas engines will get around 75 pound feet of torque per cylinder.

Don’t think the 3-cylinders will be limited to just Minis, however. Melcher didn’t deny the possibility of the 3′s making their way into rear wheel drive BMW’s. Okay, so the 1-series and the 3-series maybe, but apparently the 5 and 7-series could see the 3 cylinder in their engine bays as well. Now that’s just crazy talk.

But what about their amazing V8 and V12 engines? Will they get the axe?

“They will always be a part of BMW,” says Melcher, so don’t worry. In fact, demand for a V12 would probably be low which would essentially mean that BMW could hand build the engine a la Nissan GT-R. And as Nissan has proved, hand built engines are not a bad thing.

Expect to see the first of the new engines (the 4-cylinder which will make 240 horses and 230 pound feet of torque) in the Z4 by the end of this year. In the meantime you can check out the (somewhat cheesy) video above which details how BMW makes and installs the engines in its cars.

[Car and Driver]

Z4 to Get BMW’s first 4-Cylinder in Decades

Can you name the last BMW sold in North America with a 4 cylinder engine? If you said the 318ti, give yourself a pat on the back. That was back in 1995. And before the 318ti it was the 2002. That just goes to show how into 4 cylinder engines BMW isn’t.

Well that’s certainly changing as BMW has announced a new 4 cylinder engine that will be making its way to Canada. It will be found in the Z4 to start, and will then find its way into the 3-series and the 1-series.

The new four pot will generate 240 horsepower and 260 pound feet of torque at just 1250 RPMs. Not bad considering the current 3 litre inline six offered in their 28i models are currently making 230 horespower and 200 pound feet of torque. That’s 10 more horses, but crucially, 30% more torque. This is achieved through Valvetronic intake management and a twin-scroll turbocharger.

So, why downsize especially when you’re known for making among the best inline six’s in the world? Well, they’re sort of forced to do it due to stricter CAFE regulations which demands all car companies increase the overall efficiency of their fleet by 2015. As a result, this new 4 cylinder will be 20% more efficient than the 6-cylinder but with more power. Best of both worlds? Let’s hope so.

No word yet on when the 4 cylinder Z4 will be released in Canada. Stay tooned.

[BMW]

World Car of the Year 2010: Top Ten Entries Revealed

What is the best car in the world? It’s all relative and subjective and thus, impossible to determine. But that doesn’t stop automotive journalists from trying.

52 automotive journalists representing each continent in the world (except Antarctica – Penguins can’t legally drive yet) have gotten together and submitted their top ten choices for World Car of the Year in two categories: Car of the Year and Performance Car of the Year. There will then be three finalists chosen for both categories.

Find out what car made the top ten and what our pics are for the finalists after the jump!

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