New inline-4 turbo in the works at BMW
BMW North America’s CEO Jim O’Donnell has confirmed the existence of a turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine project for BMW cars.
BMW is already using a turbocharged inline-4 for its MINI brand, and has a turbocharged four cylinder diesel (320d), a twin turbocharged four cylinder diesel (123d), a new smooth-revving turbodiesel six (facelifted 330d and F01 730d), a twin turbocharged six cylinder diesel (330d), a twin turbo six cylinder (335i), and a twin turbocharged 4.4 liter V8.
Adding a powerful turbocharged or twin turbocharged inline-4 engine will complete this line-up of new turbocharged engines and if it ends up in the 1-Series will make the car a true spiritual successor to what the original BMW 3-Series was like. The new engine could also replace some of the smaller displacement N52 engines like the 2.5 liter in 523i and 525i states of tune. But will a fast BMW really feel the same without the lovely engine sound of an inline-6 or a V8?
September 16, 2008 @ 11:17 am
BMW should keep the inline 6 and add a low pressure turbo to give it a bit more torque. Say 523i get about 280Nm and 525i about 320Nm and not stepping into the 335i 400Nm territory. This would make the 5 series so much nicer to drive.
September 16, 2008 @ 12:06 pm
this will bring it back to the days of the 4cyl 2002 turbo of the 70’s
September 16, 2008 @ 2:03 pm
Next generation 3 series…318i Turbo? 323i Turbo? Both in-line 4 of 2.0litre in different states of tune perhaps? Exciting developments indeed!
September 16, 2008 @ 4:18 pm
I’m not surprised if they decide to stick the Turbo 1.6 in the 1 series and the entry level 3 series. After all the Prince 1.6T already makes just as much power as the 2.0L in the 318.
In this age of consolidation, I would see that BMW will drop its lower output i4s for smaller displacement Turbo 4s.
But its not likely that BMW will discontinue its inline sixes, perhaps smaller displacement augmented by a turbocharger. The i6 is what makes BMWs special.
September 16, 2008 @ 7:48 pm
here comes another award winning engine
September 17, 2008 @ 8:55 am
an obvious contender to volks 1.4 tsi
September 17, 2008 @ 2:41 pm
i was hoping for a cheaper version of the 3 litre twin turbo which takes less petrol than a camry 2.4 litre. unless they are looking for more petrol savings with a smaller displacement. and i think partly because diesel is going to shoot up in price once the rest of the world discovers diesel.
September 18, 2008 @ 10:22 am
In line 4 turbo… hmmm… should be a good fight for the Audi 2.0 TFSI.
but a turbo RWD car sure hv lot of fun in sideway.
September 19, 2008 @ 5:15 pm
but a 1.4 engine will sound terrible…..when pronounced in cantonese, sounds like yat ding seri(sure die), could be A reason why volkswagen haven’t brought it its 1.4tsi here yet
September 19, 2008 @ 5:15 pm
but a 1.4 engine will sound terrible…..when pronounced in cantonese, sounds like yat ding sei(sure die), could be A reason why volkswagen haven’t brought it its 1.4tsi here yet
September 23, 2008 @ 10:16 am
i think that it is a great idea for a small turbo engine for the 1-series. i have always said that the 1-series should be an entry level bmw much like the original 2002. it should be affordable to a larger percentage of the public than the 118i and 120i for now, which are way too expensive.