Along with eight-cylinder engines and manual transmissions, six-cylinder motors appear to be on the outs, relatively speaking. In the first quarter of this year, USA Today notes that four-cylinder lumps made up 46.5 percent of new car sales, almost a five percent jump over the same period last year.
2009 Infiniti G37x S Sedan – Click above for high-res image gallery
2010 Hyundai Tucson - Click above for high-res image gallery
Mini Cooper four-cylinder engine - Click above for high-res image
Ford FG Falcon G-Series - Click above for image gallery
2010 Buick LaCrosse - Click above for a high-res image gallery
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 m
According to sources speaking with Pickuptrucks.com, Ford is considering offering an EcoBoost four-cylinder engine on its F-150 pickup in 2013. The boosted mill is expected to displace around 2.5-liters, produce 260 hp and 300 lb.-ft. of torque, and would only be available on the two-door Regular Cab F-150 4x2 and 4x4.
BMW and PSA teamed up to produce the 1.6-liter four-cylinder currently found in the R56 MINI Cooper, but according to an interview with BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer, the four-pot will also find its way into the BMW 1-series. The pre-release of his interview in the Frankfurter Allegemeine Zeitung didn't divulge which models would benefit from the four-cylinder engine, whether it will be available in both naturally aspirated or turbocharged guise or what markets in which it will be sold.
The European Parliament has called for Formula One to adopt more environmentally-friendly engine alternatives, and the FIA seems to be all for it.
It's been rumored for some time and the newest comments from BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer is further proof that the propeller people are looking to get in bed with other automakers to cut the high costs of engine development and production.
Shiro Nakamura, Nissan's global design chief, revealed that plans to expand the Infiniti lineup could include a small vehicle to slot in below the current G, a two-door high-powered flagship and some form of people mover that would fill the gap left by the EX and FX CUVs.
Earlier this week Hyundai announced it would be adding an engine plant to its sole U.S. production facility in Montgomery, Alabama. We didn't know at the time exactly what engine the new facility would produce, but in the back of our minds assumed it would be a V6 since the Montgomery plant builds the Sonata and Sante Fe, the latter of which is only available with a six-cylinder.
Another mule has been caught lapping the Ring in Germany, and this time it's the forthcoming revival of the lightweight Lotus Esprit supercar. The new Esprit is expected use a BMW V8 for power, and while eight cylinders is no surprise, we have to admit that we enjoyed the old Esprit's identity as the "four-cylinder supercar".
Faced with the effect of rising fuel costs and blessed with a capable new line of four-cylinder "World Engines", Chrysler has stated that it will expand its offerings of vehicles with smaller motors - a drastic departure from the Hemi proliferation that has brought the automaker showroom success.
UPDATE: GM RELEASED PICS FINALLY (click for high rez)
