BMW slashing production of big engines, shifting to four cylinders
In many parts of the world, the majority of BMWs are sold with four cylinder engines running on either gasoline or diesel. Unfortunately in recent years American consumers have not had the privilege of opting for these powerplants. That's a situation that may soon change though as BMW begins a significant shift in production to smaller engines. The company has already dropped the 6.0L V12 from the lineup in the new 7-series that's coming to the U.S. next spring. Demand for V8 engines in Europe has plummeted recently, leading BMW to scale back production to only one four-day-a-week shift.
Even the inline six cylinders that have long been the icon of BMW engines are seeing slackening demand. The Munich engine plant that produces them will be switched over to four cylinders beginning in 2011. As engines get ever higher specific output due to technologies like direct injection and turbocharging, the need for larger engines is fading and we may see four cylinders back in U.S.-bound BMWs soon.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
MikeW 8:58AM (9/02/2008)
How about a 2 liter Inline 6?
80mm bore x 66mm stroke
Long live the mirrored inline3!
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Mirko 1:45PM (9/02/2008)
BMW used to have 2.0L I6 engines. My father had a E34 520i in 1991 - his last gasser BMW, followed by three E34 525tds, a E39 530d and two E60 530d.
It's amazing how many 5ers are 520ds now. They are easy to spot because they only have a single exhaust.
MikeW 2:22PM (9/02/2008)
I want it even more oversquare.
82 x 63, now we are talking, something like 175hp@6600.
ryan 10:13AM (9/02/2008)
I love seeing change like this. Sure, it is probably too little, too late, but it is nice to see the automakers finally being pushed in the right direction. Laws and regulations CAN be beneficial sometimes...!
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UH2L 12:46PM (9/02/2008)
Mazda had a 1.8 L V6 on it's MX-3 back in the 90's. It must have been interesting to drive. I guess somebody like BMW could try an in-line 6 that small.
I'm a fan of inline 4 cylinders with turbos and balance shafts. Smooth enough, simpler, and more efficient.
I keep saying it, but the world is finally following Saab's lead, (after Saab ironically started making V6's).
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Phil 1:15PM (9/02/2008)
Americans will probably mistake the 3 litre twin turbo straight six, now fitted to most BMW models, as the eco model.
The engine is small and not a V8: that's eco right?
Save the planet: buy a 300 horse power X6.
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GoodCheer 2:22PM (9/02/2008)
I've never driven one, but I've heard it said that Honda's 1.8l H-6, fitted to the GoldWing touring motorcycle is one of the best engines in motorcycledom; smooth as butter and with a torque curve to die for. I could only assume that it would be supremely smooth, and with years of refining for motorcycles I would think it would be very small and very light by car standards.
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