Will BMW bring four cylinder engines back to the U.S. market?
For the past several years, BMW hasn't sold any vehicles in the United States with fewer than six cylinders. With BMW scaling back production of V8 and inline six engines, is the time approaching when four-cylinder Bimmers will return to our shores? Inside Line definitely seems to think the four banger will be back soon, probably in the 3-series and 1-series. The European spec 120i and 320i both use a normally aspirated, direct injected 2.0L that produces 167 hp and pushes a 320i from 0-62 mph in a respectable 8.2 seconds. The 320i is rated at 38.6 mpg (U.S.) on the EU combined cycle, which would probably amount to mileage in the low 30s on the EPA cycle. BMW project director Oliver Friedmann told Inside Line while the gas four cylinders could do well in the U.S. he didn't think Americans were ready for the the four cylinder diesel in the 123d and 320d. Personally, having driven the 123d I'd have to disagree on this count. I think that Americans would actually prefer the superior torque of the diesel and a real world 37 mpg. BMW hasn't yet responded to a request for comment from ABG.
[Source: inside Line]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
noz 1:46PM (9/05/2008)
Probably not. Their cars are so overweight and overdesigned, it wouldn't be worth it.
If people realized that BMW, Benz, and Audi make cars that are based on brute force design...they wouldn't praise them so much. It's much harder to design a car that is efficient and optimized than a hunk of metal with a 300 HP engine in it.
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darius 2:08PM (9/05/2008)
noz, I understand you are referring to the US models and NOT the European ones, correct?
David 6:57PM (2/15/2009)
Dumb comment of the day.
Chad 2:17PM (9/05/2008)
"The 320i is rated at 38.6 mpg (U.S.) on the EU combined cycle, which would probably amount to mileage in the low 30s on the EPA cycle."
That'll be the day! The Honda Civic is only rated at 29 combined!
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MikeW 3:26PM (9/05/2008)
The Honda Civic is a POS. Unfortunately it is the 'best' of the small cars available for sale in the US.
BMW has variable valve timing, direct injection, 'efficient dynamics', 6 speed stick/auto, electric power steering
noz 4:49PM (9/05/2008)
MikeW...
So why is the Honda Civic a POS? Other than the usual anti-Honda bullshit people spew, I doubt you have any good reason for it.
MikeW 12:44PM (9/06/2008)
Have you driven the current generation Civic?
The steering ratio is way too quick. (at least Honda upgraded the steering wheel to the 3 spoke design for all '09 models)
The brakes are massively undersized, and Honda 'compensates' by way overdoing the brake booster.
The gearing of the 5 speed automatic is perfect, for the 2 liter R20, which it doesn't have. It lugs even with continuous torque converter clutch slip, now that is an accomplishment!
The gearing of the 5 speed stick is too short for good highway mileage.
The A pillars are too wide, and positioned too far forward in the sedan.
The opposed windshield wipers do no get close enough to the A-pillars, so accumulated snow helps create a large blind spot in the winter.
Not enough traction, only 60/40 weight distribution. Traction control would help, but that is available on the EX-L as a 'premium' feature. A better transmission selector would help, it sucks that you have to constantly move the selector in & out of 2, to get 2nd gear starts.
The R18 could use VTEC (for power) an upgrade from 138hp to 150hp would be nice. or just install the R20, which has balance shafts, and more torque.
Factory EX wheel is too heavy, 20lbs.
So the two tier dashboard isn't even on the radar when it comes to critiques.
Noz 12:45AM (9/08/2008)
@MIKEW:
All your complaints are personal ones.
The Civic is a nice vehicle all-around. The past generation ones were better in my opinion, being some of the most fun, light on their feet cars around. You've obviously never autocrossed one. A Beemer is a fat pig compared to it and it feels the part too.
I'm sorry, it's my opinion of course, but I'm not charmed or impressed with BMW. They are nothing special to me. Ask the Germans, they use them as taxis.
darius 2:15PM (9/05/2008)
If I could buy in the US the BMW 118d 5 door with its estimated 59 mpg, I would buy it with no questions asked.
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TDI_NICK 3:16PM (9/05/2008)
BMW made great 318i cars during the '80s and '90s so I hope this news is true. Of course I would prefer to have a TD that I can run certified B20 fuel in and get 40+mpg.
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noz 4:52PM (9/05/2008)
The 318's and 320's were pieces of junk. They had so many electrical problems that they would have Lucas Electronics proud.
Absolute piles of fine German engineering.
And to MikeW...big WHOOP the BMW has variable valve timing, direct injection, 'efficient dynamics', 6 speed stick/auto, electric power steering...
All that and it still can't match a Civic's fuel economy, reliability, longevity.
Scorch 8:28PM (9/05/2008)
Replying to Noz:
I'm sorry but BMW's are not optimized for efficiency the way Civics are. The fact is the Civic is a FWD econobox and no amount of VTEC stickers and "racing inspired shifting knobs" will change that.
I'm sure if BMW wanted their cars to be as efficient as a Civic a FWD chassis would be a good place to start. However, since BMW makes cars that are fun to drive they will probably stick to the RWD formula for now.
Mirko 2:55PM (9/06/2008)
Huh?
One reason I bought a 118d instead of a Civic with the 2.2i-CTDi was the better fuel economy of the BMW...
Noz 12:45AM (9/08/2008)
@SCORCH
BMW's are optimized for efficiency....that's what they claim all the time. But they are not...they are overdesigned, overweight cars with large engines to compensate for their weight. Nothing special there.
It's not Honda's fault that idiots with VTEC racing crap give their cars a bad image? Have you seen the douches who drive Beemers? Nothing to write home about is it now.
Image aside, BMW would love to make a car as efficient, as safe, and as light as their equivalent Honda. But they can't.
Anyone who's driven a Jspec or EuroSpec Civic Type R will thing again about making it sound like it's just a silly toy. You need to drive some very good FWD cars like the Clio, Megane, etc, to appreciate that fun has nothing to do with being RWD. Sorry.
HID's fancy leather, large rims, and "German engineering" don't impress me. And frankly sitting in a car that feels sterile like a doctor's waiting room isn't my idea of fun.
noz 4:47PM (9/05/2008)
Darius...
Yes.
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John 4:49PM (9/05/2008)
I think soon they will have no choice. They don't have a hope of meeting CAFE otherwise.
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Mike 11:44AM (9/06/2008)
Well, that is disappointing news. I've been holding off replacing my trusty old 535i until BMW offers a diesel 1-series.
Perhaps they can be convinced to offer the diesel in the (hopefully) upcoming X1?
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asus 1:49AM (9/18/2008)
Uhhh I'd buy a 320d in a second... I'd much rather drive that than a prius or a civic. I think BMW is underestimating the demand for "nice" fuel efficient cars in the USA right now. I mean the prius is "nice", but its no BMW or Audi. Likewise, I think Audi is also missing the boat not offering their 4cyl TDI A4 here...
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