BMW and Mercedes-Benz reportedly considering four-cylinders in US, pending new fuel economy standards
With new CAFE regulations looming on the horizon, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are considering bringing four-cylinder models back to the States. BMW's development of new four-pots have been widely reported over the last year, with the automaker confirming work on a direct injected, twin-turbocharged four, likely to be fitted on the next generation 1 and 3 series, due to arrive in 2012. The new mill is also slated to be equipped on the X1 and X3, and according to the automaker, the powerplants will deliver the same output as the current in-line sixes, but with better fuel economy and lower emissions. However, the development of an all-new engine is expensive, and BMW will pass along the cost to consumers, despite BMW's claim that buyers aren't willing to pay for advanced technology.
As for Mercedes-Benz, aside from the 2.2-liter four-cylinder turbo-diesel that debuted on the E250 Bluetech concept, little is known about the automaker's plans for four-bangers in the States. Although the concept, unveiled at the New York Auto Show, was equipped to an E-Class, don't expect a gasoline-powered four to be fitted on a future E – the new engine will likely find a home in the C-Class and GLK CUV sometime in the next few years.
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Sheepszies 10:36AM (4/27/2009)
Mercedes has a 2.0 4 cylinder and a 2.0 4 cylinder turbo on the B200 and B200 Turbo in Canada. Turbo gets you close to 200hp I think. Although it is a FWD powertrain, seems like a motor like this would serve just find on a C class...it works fine on an A4.
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Alex 11:21AM (4/27/2009)
True, i didn't even think of that even though i see B-classes almost every day. The engines are rated at 134hp/136 lb-ft and 193hp/206 lb-ft. Lets forget the 2.0l, since it makes nowhere near enough hp or torque to power anything bigger than the b-class, so that leaves the 2.0T which might be enough for the c-class, although it has a low torque, but i doubt it would have enough power for an E-class, or any of MB's SUVs. So in reality, while MB has four bangers hear in north america, they would have to developpe new ones, or at least figure out a way to make their current ones more powerful.
JayP 10:43AM (4/27/2009)
My wife's C230 4 cyl sounded like a thrashing machine. I hated that car.
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TigerMil 10:44AM (4/27/2009)
Audi has had 4cyl here for years.
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zamafir 11:38AM (4/27/2009)
Decades actually, and turbo fours for over a decade. I'm glad to see BMW and Mercedes are finally getting it, though not surprised after mecedes drug their feet for damn near a decade on the SMART decision.
Mazda FTW! 11:58AM (4/27/2009)
Is "drug" the past-time of "drag"? :P
zamafir 12:52PM (4/27/2009)
Random House says that drug is "nonstandard" as the past tense of drag. Phew. I'd hate to be standard, i'd be relegating to using an f150 as my daily driver, or the camry.
Doogs 10:47AM (4/27/2009)
ABOUT. TIME.
Audi's had four-bangers over here for years. And, compared to BMW and Merc, they've been rocking the sales lately.
The bi-turbo four in either the 1 or 3-Series would be a no-brainer for the U.S. market.
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naggs 11:22PM (4/27/2009)
total no brainer
MikeW 10:55AM (4/27/2009)
What the hell M-B! The c-class used to have a 2.5 liter V6, so instead of carrying that over, with a shorter axle ratio to counter the weight gain, the 3.0 V6 now becomes the base engine?
So fix the lineup: C250, C300, C350. circa 200, 250, 300hp.
BMW: Rate the N54 twin turbo inline6 appropriately, 320hp-ish.
Convert the 328i to the 330i, use the 260hp N52, instead of 230hp stripper version.
That leaves room for a REAL 2.5 liter inline6, 200hp+ (the X3 has a 215hp, 184ft-lb 2.5 I6)
all with ZF 8hp45 8 speed auto, or a stick if you want.
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Dan 11:01AM (4/27/2009)
A good straight six is a joy to drive. Nonplussed and eager for more from idle to redline and they sound sweet all the way.
Getting the same power out of a forced 4 is no trick at all. Keeping the intangibles is another matter.
Losing some refinement for an extra mpg or two makes a little sense in a $25k mass market mobile, but a $40K entry lux isn't a practical decision to begin with.
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wutang54 2:23PM (4/27/2009)
Very true Dan, it's no big deal to make a fairly powerful turbo four, but it's much more difficult to replicate the feel of a smooth inline six.
I say BMW should hold on to their roots, maybe bring over the direct-injection 3.0L I6 once it's viable, or maybe even a 2.5L turbo direct-injection six later on as a midrange offering (with a second-generation twin-turbo as a range-topper). Maybe make the four-cylinder available as a base engine for those who want it and because of fuel economy considerations, but I really hope BMW doesn't dump the inline sixes they have always been known for.
Andrew 2:28PM (4/27/2009)
I tend to agree. If I'm spending that much, I don't care much about mpg. But times are changing, and the most efficient engine is as prestigious as the most powerful engine, in some circles. Honda offers all the bells and whistles on the 4-cylinder Accord. Acura has the RDX and TSX. Audi has the 2.0T. BMW can still have great ride and handling and steering and braking with a 4-cylinder engine. See Mazda for proof of that. A lot of Euro badge buyers don't know the first thing about engines anyway. All the maintenance is free, they'll never even pop the hood. I suspect the main reason BMW hesitates to offer a 4-cylinder here is that American buyers would expect the price to drop substantially below the 128/328, and that price point isn't "prestigious" enough to suit BMW's image.
Jon 11:09AM (4/27/2009)
I love 4 cyl, they've come a long way, I may never drive a V6 again
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MikeW 11:26AM (4/27/2009)
are you sure it is the 4 cylinder concept, or direct injection/turbocharging?
UH2L 11:24AM (4/27/2009)
Saab has been ahead of its time with 4 cylinder turbos for how long now? They were the pioneers. They were ahead of the game with hatchbacks too. It's so sad that they had to add V6's to please the US market and now V6 sales are declining. And it's even more sad that GM couldn't leverage Saab's niche. Oh well, that's why I bought an '08 which is ironically an Aero V6 turbo even though I actually intended to buy a loaded 4 cylinder turbo.
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adam1drift 11:26AM (4/27/2009)
its crap that great cars have to be wattered down in the name of CAFE standards... there is nothing wrong with pushing the envelope with technology but BMW and MB do that without CAFE standards and make great cars...
we still wont get the D cars and one or two MPG isnt a great deal for losing the soul of a car...
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cBraunDesign 11:41AM (4/27/2009)
What I don't understand is why Americans are so stinking power hungry. There are PLENTY of four cylinder BMWs in other parts of the world. They just have more humble output. Like the 320i which has 170hp. My 1994 325is has a straight six with about 175hp, and it's plenty to get me on the highway or pass a semi. Not to mention its just a blast to drive. Why is 170hp not enough these days? Heck, there's the 318i which has 143hp, which is still enough for most people.
Do we honestly need 250bhp out of our four cylinder models? I know the cars are porky and won't seem "fast" enough for people... but come on we use them to drive to work. They can still offer us the 335i for those of us who "need" the extra power.
Offer Americans a NICE car, with all of the amenities and luxury features their looking for, and then put a small, fuel efficient 4 pot in it, and call it a day.
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freckles 12:01PM (4/27/2009)
my wife's altima with the 2.5, 170 hp motor is plenty. it can go 80-90 mph easily
IK 1:10PM (4/27/2009)
because north american roads are different
and we spend a lot more time in our cars than the other peoples
imo, our demands are reasonable and fair