REPORT: BMW admits four-cylinders are likely headed back to U.S.
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]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Nick 11:35AM (7/21/2009)
Good call BMW, I love the 2.0 liter turbo in my Audi... Still has good pep, gets great gas mileage, and the insurance isn't bad.
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Rich 11:50AM (7/21/2009)
Just wait until the insurers cotton on to the word "turbo". You'll be screwed; just like drivers in the EU.
Rob 12:58PM (7/21/2009)
Meh, I think they need to remake the inline 5 cylinder 2.2 liter turbo found in the URS cars. That engine... with direct injection... maybe a few other tweaks.... such a glorious engine. Audis most reliable performance powerplant. :)
zamafir 1:03PM (7/21/2009)
@ Rich, I doubt it. The GTI uses it, the passat, now we're getting an A5 with one. It's nice to see BMW's finally getting it too. Their six has been wonderful, but with cars like the A4 2.0T hitting sixty quicker and providing better fuel economy than the same spec 328i, a blown four could really help (the audi's only fractionally quicker).
Paul 1:22PM (7/21/2009)
The most pressing issue is sales: A4 turbos outsold the V6 six-to-one and their sales haven't plummeted like BMWs have (they even cancelled the V6 and intro'd the 2.0T on the A5). Modern buyers get the benefits of turbo fours now and appreciate the value they offer. With continued economic uncertainty, it's going to get very, very difficult for BMW to survive without the larger volume sales turbo fours will provide.
Rick 5:06PM (7/21/2009)
@Rich- My 20Turbo A4 costs about the same per month as my Mazda 5 mini van. So I disagree with your guess.
Art 11:35AM (7/21/2009)
depending on how diesel prices shape up, you could very well see me in a 123/25d here in the states. just assure me its good on gas, 0-60
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dude 3:31PM (7/21/2009)
BMW, please put your 2.0L diesel from the 123d in all of your cars in the US. even the 7 series would benefit from having this as an available engine. Older people who drive it probably would care more about the effortless feel the torque provides than peak hp. 204hp - maybe a little more if they want to tweak it for the larger cars - is enough to feel brisk and the torque makes that power available much more easily. I'd love to have a fun car with mileage that can hang with any hybrid. Oh, also throw in a 6MT and I think you'll be set.
Thanks!
Art 4:27PM (7/21/2009)
yeah thats not gonna cut it for a 7
Richard 4:39PM (7/21/2009)
Absolutely! The 520d is an amazingly competent car - see the AB review of it 6-9 months ago for details. Stellar performance (0-60 in 7 seconds or so IIRC, which is fine for that market), great handling, and some amazingly good fuel economy (on the order of 40+ US MPG real-world).
Art 5:58PM (7/21/2009)
Um, yeah, gonna go ahead and guess that 520d does not go to 60 in less than 8.
zamafir 1:22AM (7/22/2009)
"(0-60 in 7 seconds or so IIRC"
any euro car maker.co.uk is your friend.
it hits sixty in 8.3 seconds. not bad but not brisk.
9600baud 11:35AM (7/21/2009)
DO NOT WANT... unless they're turbocharged or diesel.
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waiownsyou 11:41AM (7/21/2009)
People complain too much about 4 cylinders. If they make a reduced-weight car with a weak engine, I'd be set.
The car would be quick because it's light, gas mileage would be high because the engine doesn't need to do as much work, and it would be cheaper because they have to use less metal for things (unless they decide to use carbon fiber on everything to reduce the weight, but quite frankly, only super cars do that).
Fast, light, great gas mileage, cheap price, BMW styling and amenities... I JUST CAME
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Luis 11:51AM (7/21/2009)
Um...first...ew.
and second...sounds like a Honda Civic. :)
Rich 11:52AM (7/21/2009)
You've heard of turbos, right? Y'know, the things that embarrass V8s?
sydtron 11:56AM (7/21/2009)
Get the 1-series down to 2800 lbs, then put a DI NA 180 HP 2.0L in it, should go just fine.
MemphisNET 11:43AM (7/21/2009)
Is it possible that BMW could launch an 'entry' brand for North America? Same platforms such as the 1, 3 and 5, different sheet metal, and exclusive use of 4cylinders? Mini's aren't fast or powerful but the handling and dynamics are fantastic. Why not extend that to a more mainstream vehicle like C and D class vehicles.
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mkM3 12:04PM (7/21/2009)
No that is not possible if BMW AG is interested in keeping the BMW brand profitable. Don't get me wrong I'd love a cheaper source for small (relatively speaking), practical RWD cars, but it would not likely make financial sense for them.
aaron bluestone 12:26PM (7/21/2009)
they already have one, it's called mini.