BMW considering cutting the cylinder count on M-models?
Of all the things that have hampered performance over the last two decades, vehicle weight is at the top of the list. Automakers have responded by putting more power under the hood to make up for the extra pounds, and BMW is as guilty as the rest – particularly with its M cars. The first (E30) M3 came packing a 2.3-liter four-pot and was able to put out an astonishing (at the time)
So what's the next step? BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer is at least aware of this fact and mentioned to Auto Motor und Sport that he'd like to see the next batch of M cars lose a few cylinders, while simultaneously dropping the pounds. He points to the twin-turbocharged inline-six in the 135i, 335i and 535i as a good indication of what the future might hold, particularly in the case of the M-badged variants that would make more use of forced induction rather than upgraded displacement and higher cylinder counts (not that they could get much higher). We can only dream, but with emissions standards increasing across the globe, it's the next logical evolution of the performance breed.
[Source: Auto Motor und Sport via TTAC]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Jason 1:00PM (3/27/2008)
Bring it on.
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RS4 Dude 4:39PM (3/27/2008)
I wonder if this has anything to do with the new S4 being a 6? Can BMW come up with something original? Oh wait, theres iDrive!!
Ryan Storzbach 1:03PM (3/27/2008)
Long live the S14 powered M3, a true drivers car!
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Justin 1:11PM (3/27/2008)
I don't know why people technically care just about cylinder counts. I'll take a superior 6 over a dumpy 8 any day.
Torque and (true) HP are where it's at.
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psarhjinian 4:52PM (3/27/2008)
A lack of weight is where it's at. Not drive wheels, not power, mass. Power and rear-drive helps, but you cannot beat a light car for sporty feel.
YouFaceTheTick 1:12PM (3/27/2008)
Maybe BMW finally realized their cars are too damned big! The 1 series would be insane with a turbo 4 and a 300 lbs weight reduction.
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James 1:19PM (3/27/2008)
What is the deal with the N54 3.0 twin turbo engine anyway? Does it still overheat even with the oil cooler?
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Justin 1:20PM (3/27/2008)
Never really cared for the sound of 4 and 6 cylinder engines but as a huge fan of the E30, I can't disagree with the cars going on a diet.
Too bad we can't have a lighter v8.
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RJ 6:30PM (3/27/2008)
GM is the master of lightweight V8s.
Where else in the world can you find a 505hp 7.0L V8, that weights under 500 lbs and revs to 7000 rpm?
If the M3 had that engine it'll dominate the compact sport sedan category for years to come.
captainslow 8:03PM (4/15/2008)
RJ:
The e92 M3's V8 is actually 33 lbs. lighter than the previous e36's inline six, despite the increase in displacement.
That's aside from the point, however. When it comes to horsepower/liter, the M3 owns the vette.
Z06: 72 hp/L
e92 M3: 105 hp/L
Why doesn't BMW follow in GM's footsteps and throw a huge pushrod 7.0 L v8 in the M3, you ask? Because there are other ways to generate power without immense size and brute force. Ever since it was introduced, the M3 has always been a high-winding, rev happy track car for the road.
While I greatly respect the LS7 V8, it DOES NOT however belong in the M3.
captainslow 8:04PM (4/15/2008)
oops, I meant the I6 from the e46****
Justin 9:18PM (4/15/2008)
"Because there are other ways to generate power without immense size and brute force. Ever since it was introduced, the M3 has always been a high-winding, rev happy track car for the road."
Are you implying the LS7 is heavier than BMW's 4.0 V8? Because it's not.
tio 10:39AM (3/28/2008)
I love the straight six anyway, Bring it on.
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Nick 1:21PM (3/27/2008)
Actually the 2.3L S14 engine in the M3 made only 192 HP with a catalytic converter and 197 without. It was the 2.5L stroker Evo model that made around 220 hp.
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ljcabrera 4:12PM (3/27/2008)
The 2.5L was about 230-240HP depending on who you asked.
nagmashot 3:20PM (3/27/2008)
The S14 2.3l in the e30 M3
early standart e30 M3 Coupe and Convertible
2,3l 192hp 143kW with cat
2.3l 197hp 147kW without cat
late Euro standart e30 M3 Coupe and Convertibel
2.3l 212hp 158kW with cat
nearly 10% of the standart e30 M3 production used that engine 1,500 of all 18,000 e30 M3 build (incl special editions and Evo´s)
M3 Evo I (505build) Coupe
2.3l 197hp 147kW
M3 Evo II (500build) Coupe
2.3l 220hp 168kW
M3 Europameister (Europen champion 148build)
2.3l 192hp 143kW
M3 Cecotto (505 build)
2.3l 212hp 158kW
M3 Sport Evolution (600 build)
2.5l 235hp 175kW
Franz 1:28PM (3/27/2008)
It's about time. The E30 M3 was perfection. It's about time they got back to making relatively lightweight M cars... especially the M3.
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MikeW 1:37PM (3/27/2008)
When BMW pushes the V10 to 550hp 400ft-lbs.
Chop that in half. 275hp, 200ft-lbs 2.5 liter I5.
Perfect for the 1-series. Just keep it on boil 5500-8500rpm.
It isn't like BMW will lob 2 cylinders off the M3, and make a rip roaring 330hp 3 liter V6.
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Chase 1:35PM (3/27/2008)
some bad information here in this post... the post doesn't even make sense in fact.
The reality is, the S54 inline 6 from the E46 M3s is actually 32 lbs less than the S65 V8. The only engines in BMWs line-up that are lighter are the new 335 and 328 engines.
The S65 V8 weighs 445 pounds.
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captainslow 8:16PM (4/15/2008)
You have it backwards. The E92 V8 actually weighs 33 pounds less than the outgoing E46's ancient inline 6, which dates all the way back to the E34 M5.
Get your facts straight.