Next-gen BMW 3 series to get turbo three, better aero, hybrid powertrain
The next generation of BMW's 3-series looks like it will get some major revisions when it arrives in about two years. The new model is expected to be the first in the range to get new turbocharged three cylinder engines in both gas and diesel variants. The three-cylinder engines will likely be 1.5-liter units that are essentially half of the latest generation's inline sixes.
BMW's current six-cylinder diesels use a sequential dual turbo setup with small and large blowers to give quick response and better top end power. The new engines may use an electric motor to spin up the turbo more quickly, which would allow the use of a single turbo for reduced weight and complexity.
Aerodynamics will also be a major focus of the new 3, with the expected inclusion of front wheel air curtains. Ducts in the lower front bumper will route air out just ahead of the front wheels, creating a virtual wheel skirt. The high velocity air over the wheels will prevent air coming around the sides from spilling in around the wheels, one of the major sources of drag.
Other areas of improvement will include weight reductions, the incorporation of hybrid drive technologies, low-power climate control systems and eight-speed automatic transmissions.
[Source: AutoCar]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
augustus 6:43PM (8/05/2009)
I wonder what kind of MPG a 3 cylinder turbo diesel gets. I presume that the ride isn't too uneven (it is a BMW after all).
I'd love to know more about the hybrid and I am really digging the improved look.
Reply
why not the LS2LS7? 7:38PM (8/05/2009)
The engine will be firing less than 2100 times a minute (less than 35 times a second) at road-going speeds. There's a limit to how smooth it can really be no matter who makes it.
why not the LS2LS7? 7:36PM (8/05/2009)
I have never see the idea of using an electric motor to spin up turbos put forward in any serious fashion. It's a pretty strong indicator of fanboy nonsense, actually.
It's weird to see it proposed that BMW will be pushing 8-speed hydramatic trannies. Don't get me wrong, they work well, but nearly everyone who is performance minded regards them as a hindrance. Doesn't that clash with BMW's sporting image?
Reply
moa 8:02AM (8/06/2009)
i guess that this is going to be an electric version of anti lag device, not "electric supercharger"
MikeW 9:53AM (8/06/2009)
BMW did a lot of the work with 'partner' ZF on the 8 speed automatic.
Automatics are far faster than humans nowadays, and get better mileage.
People who are 'performance minded' are that, only in their own minds.
I am faster driving an automatic than a manual. People need to learn to delegate.
Dave 9:03PM (8/05/2009)
Mated to a two-mode hybrid, these engines could yield serious performance.
Mated to the mild hybrid tech theyre working on, not so much.
Reply
SumideXE 10:27PM (8/05/2009)
using an electric motor to spin up turbos seems like an interesting idea. It means you are supercharging at the low end and letting the turbos loose at the high end. Maybe it could be belt powered with a clutching system?
Who's really going to buy a 3 cylinder BMW though? aren't those motors by their nature impossible to balance? Large 4 cylinders are bad enough.
I think no matter what RPM you spin it at it's going to be a real motor-mount breaker of an engine.
Reply
MikeW 10:06AM (8/06/2009)
No one is going to buy a three cylinder BMW, regardless of how much boost it has.
People buy two-3 cylinder, in inline 6 form.
For the smoothness, for the sound, for the exclusivity, for the principle, for the history.
It just isn't a BMW with something less.
Swede 11:57AM (8/06/2009)
A BMW is what BMW says it is.
MikeW 12:17PM (8/06/2009)
See how well the 318ti went over in the US. (crappy semi-trailing arm rear suspension, and 140hp 1.8)
augustus 1:13PM (8/06/2009)
Mike all I can say is that I doubt that BMW would make the 3 series suck. This is their number one seller, it is like saying that Honda was going to put out a sub-par Accord.
Thinking of my wife's 5 series wagon all I can say is that a three cylinder diesel from BMW will be fun to drive and will definitely be over engineered in the way that every BMW is. If BMW can make a three cylinder diesel that gets 40 MPG then good for them.
moregan17 5:45PM (8/12/2009)
lol. something less than a six cylinder isnt a bmw? learn your history, drive an e30
Treehugger 1:29AM (8/06/2009)
Are you taking BWM for idiots ? 3 Cylinders engines can work just fine and developp has much power as 6 cylinders when turbocharged, even more because it will have less friction and less weight. Renault in the 80s beat 8 cylinders 3.0 liters engines with 4cylinders turbocharged 1.5 liter engine in Formula 1. And yes it can be balanced and yes there is plenty of people who will buy a BMW that is more fuel efficient en still perform well. Most of people who buy a BMW never drive agressively anyway. I am sure 3 cylinders will be the next hype in sports car. Lighter, more efficient, they will take speed faster and have a higer torque as well
Reply
KarlInSanDiego 12:45PM (8/06/2009)
Not just Renault but BMW also turbo'ed the crap out of sleeved down 2002 motors (1.5L also, F1 rules) back then.
Just yesterday I was bragging about my 3 cylinder Triumph Daytona 675 motor, ruminating about my '73 Suzuki GT550's triple motor, and exclaiming that the 120 degree 3 is a perfect balance between torque of a 2 and smoothness of a 4. It's the Rosetta stone of motors.
This is brilliant and could only be made more brilliant if they traveled back in time and did it 7 years ago.
3PeaceSweet 4:28AM (8/06/2009)
Would be far better to use the electric motor to add low end torque direct to the drive shaft either before or after the transmission, better after IMO so you don't lose all the torque in between shifts, and it can provide regen braking.
Reply
carepi1979 11:43AM (8/06/2009)
I just wonder when will the big three will start thinking like BMW/ Vw / honda?, they are looking into the future, if they have a great product like this car companies do, I will consider getting a US car made In US not in mexico or china.
Reply
augustus 1:11PM (8/06/2009)
Ford's forthcoming turbo engines are quite promising. Torque + improved MPG is hard to beat.
http://www.autobloggreen.com/search/?q=Ecoboost&invocationType=wl-auto&searchsubmit=
GM is dead to me and Chrysler is as good as dead. There is no "Big Three" unless you are talking about Toyota, Honda and Ford.
真相創傷 4:31PM (8/06/2009)
You're either a part of the solution, or a part of the problem.
German arrogance is driving their three luxury car manufacturers into lobbying with all their might against any environmentally-friendly legislation.
The ICE principle is absurdly bad.
The possibility to make money on oil, has been driving the industry - and consequently our whole society - into producing an oil-dependent addict.
Every effort that is not dedicated to the solution is a waste of time (as well as waste of money and labour).
>> "The estimate is that around 30 million people will be refugees in 2015, due to climate changes."
>> "The number of people affected by climate disasters is set to increase to 375 million per year by 2015"
>> "People are being driven from their homes – it is estimated up to a billion people will be forced from their homes by 2050 due to climate change"
There is NO TIME for clowning around with an engine principle using just a fraction of the energy as it emits noise, toxics, and greenhouse gases.
Ignorance + Arrogance + Greed = Disaster !
. . . and NOBODY is going to stop me cursing those trying to blow smokescreens in your eyes as a distraction from their irresponsible betrayal of the nature we live off.
Have you seen a responsible leader anywhere ?
Reply
Lorena Palin 6:33PM (8/06/2009)
whats your solution? Is it a final one? Kill everyone who drives a car? I love how you rail against ICE's and then provide no explanation of a better system, no reason how batteries are going to become common and afordable (when even the small packs for hybrids are causing supplier bottlenecks) and completely ignore the fact that things other than gasoline can be burned in them with little modification.
Anyway, I aprove of most of BMW's design decisions. I'm just going to point out afew things:
8-speed automatic...why? I mean, that thing will be changing gears too much. I like my cars doing what I tell them to, and 8 speeds on a 1.5L is just silly. 8-speed transmissions are for when you have 300+ horsepower and want a really, really, really high top speed, or want to improve high speed fuel economy.
And to whoever said automatics were better than manuals, I will point out that sportiness is not about pure speed, it's about having more fun driving. Manuals are more fun, and let you tell the car what to do. Also I find that automatics like to stay in high RPMs much longer than I usually do. If I floor it in an automatic it will just redline, rather than letting me use full throttle in my current gear, or upshift at a low RPM, but with more throttle. I find that this, in a manual, is a way to get very good efficency while still being agressive
MikeW 2:33PM (8/07/2009)
Anthropogenic global warming is a hoax.
ZF 8 speed auto is slick. Quick downshift from 8th to 2nd, or 7th to 1st.
http://www.zf.com/corporate/en/products/innovations/8hp_automatic_transmissions/8hp_automatic_transmission.html
Use the manumatic interface, you can floor an automatic and have it stay in gear.