Porsche is apparently moving forward with its four-cylinder engine plans, but a new report indicates that Porsche is not the only German automaker with its eyes on a four-pot powerplant. Jim O’Donnell, BMW’s North American CEO, has confirmed that the luxury automaker is indeed developing a new four-cylinder powerplant.
In an interview with Business Week, O’Donnell confirmed a new four-cylinder is under development. “It will deliver stronger performance in terms of acceleration than the current 6-cylinder, it will deliver lower emissions and will give you better fuel economy; so it is a win, win, win situation,” he said. “This will be a high tech 4-cylinder engine; obviously turbocharged.”
Although the new engine might sound like a dream come true, don’t get too overly excited. O’Donnell went on to say that the new engine has not been green lighted for the U.S., and that there is a chance we might not see the four-banger on our shores for quite awhile. So much for a win, win, win.
However, with most Americans clamoring for high gas mileage vehicles, it seems like it would be a mistake for BMW not to bring its new turbo four to the U.S. sooner rather than later.
09/12, 10:30 AM
posted by:
the weakonomist
Give me a blown 2.0+ Litre with 230hp and 30mpg in an e90 and I’ll buy it just as soon as I can afford it
09/12, 10:43 AM
posted by:
A4
yeah please bring this to the US, turbocharged 4’s are amazing
09/12, 10:47 AM
posted by:
tob
Make the e30 m3 again with a turbo. Euros in the bank.
09/12, 11:12 AM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
Stil won’t be as nice or even clse to as reliable as a GM ecotec. This is good for BMW though because it ensures years of breakdowns and problems keeping their delership service bays even more busy than they already are!
GM engines never see service bays.
09/12, 11:36 AM
posted by:
nickkop
GM please shutup, you are saying a Bavarian Motor Werks engine is not as nice as a (toyota) inline-four from Gutless Motors (although ill tip my hit to the Z06 and ZR1…. Gm is not #1, #2, or #3 anymore, face it, accept it. You should limit your comments to the more positive, well informed, logical ones.
09/12, 11:37 AM
posted by:
LGgeek
This is a good thing for those that want performance and good mpg.
As far as GM at the rate they are going there will not be any GM dealers left to take the ecotec to. At least BMW has a future.
09/12, 11:38 AM
posted by:
Fletch
Why would it take a long time to develope this turbo 4? Mazda and Audi already have them for sale. Hurry up so I can remove all the emission equipment and make big power.
09/12, 11:39 AM
posted by:
global_lightning
They have a very good baseline in the Mini’s turbo. Add some displacement and point it the right way (RWD). Perhaps a nice magnesium block to cut weight?
09/12, 11:43 AM
posted by:
global_lightning
Additional comment for LLN:
Quit screwing around with the formatting. Please restore the original format, and if you need to see what the new page looks like, make changes to a test page instead of the production page. These changes are getting annoying; I’ve noticed a big drop of in comments since you’ve started, and so will your advertisers.
09/12, 11:47 AM
posted by:
nickkop
again rethink this, you are comparing a car company that has a genuine reputation for the more well developed, engineered, and executed (high-volume) entry-level, mid- level, high end, luxury and premium high performance automobiles to …. AT BEST (again with the exception of the flagship vettes and solstice, etc … AN APPLIANCE AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURER !!
09/12, 11:51 AM
posted by:
nickkop
( @ oil for GM still )
09/12, 12:04 PM
posted by:
tins
I’d like a 135XD – 4 cylinders of all wheel drive, turbocharged diesel goodness.
09/12, 12:15 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
Your letting your bias get the best of you Nickop. For the rest of us, there is no better built engines on the planet than the ones found onder the hoods of most GM vehicles. Are you even American? Must not be.
09/12, 12:32 PM
posted by:
shaver
Four pot or not four pot, for this is the question? While the numbers produced by the VW/Audi 2.0 and the turbos found in the Solstice are very impressive, especially the torque. Their efficiency in real world driving is poor, otto cycle is the way to go.
09/12, 12:41 PM
posted by:
beemerdude
“Need More Oil for GM” is a put-on. He’s playing with us.
Everything he is saying is exactly the opposite of what he really thinks.
He’s really laughing at the way you guys are getting all worked up.
09/12, 2:03 PM
posted by:
yarddog82abn
40% of GM’s motors are made in MEXICO and other 30% in Canada, “FACT” I know because sell them as well Fords and Dodge truck, So Chevy engines are Mexi-can or Canadi-can, don’t believe me go out and look at back of your Chevy’s engine, it should say “Hecho en Mexico” or “Made in Canada”, but don’t worry soon they might say “Designed in California, Made in China”
09/12, 2:06 PM
posted by:
Buhbye
I’ve been stomping Nazi wagons with my Cobras for years. I told the last one to take it back to Bavaria and put a motor in it.
Overpriced, overrated, and driven by American suckers with more money than brains.
09/12, 3:11 PM
posted by:
nickkop
haha you are trash man go shoot yourself
09/12, 4:06 PM
posted by:
nicetry
“Buhbye” your a ****in redneck tool. It’s even funnier that I’ve been roasting **** Cobras like yours for years in a few of my “Nazi Wagons”. Afterwards pussies like you would tuck tail and stay far back or make sure not to look over as I just point and laugh at the fools for being so ****y.
09/12, 5:15 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
I’m with Beemerdude. I think the oily guy is Crackerhemi or someone like him.
In the beginning, though, I found it funny. Now it’s just plain annoying.
09/12, 8:24 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
Need more oil for GM: ROFL!
I love your comments, they’re hilarious. Keep them coming!
09/12, 9:21 PM
posted by:
aexcorp
Ecotec engine are pretty nice though, got one, but BMW will have the edge in starting from scratch with latest techs (minus the Mini…). What I want to see is how the M division gets nice with making it a monster with variable turbo a la 911 Turbo…
09/13, 1:37 AM
posted by:
cftisa
They make some of the best turbo 6’s in the world, so why not a turbo 4 eh?
09/15, 10:34 AM
posted by:
Z06ified
I’m more interested in the new 335d. A diesel sports sedan that gets 40MPG highway and is fun to drive – I’m all over that. BMW doesn’t need a 4-cylinder – 4 bangers are for economy car shoppers, not premium luxury car buyers.
Althought the VW/Audi 2.0T is a nice piece – it’s got a torque curve almost like a diesel, and it pulls really nice for a 4 banger – I’ve driven one and was impressed.
09/15, 9:15 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
Need more oil for GM –> The line of Forced Induction Ecotecs (LSJ, LNF) were developed for GM by Saab. Don’t believe me… go look, it’s stamped on the engine block.
And as far as reliability… the Ecotecs are as good as any other 4-banger on the market. I wouldn’t call them bullet-proof or incredible… I’m in a club of over 30 FI Ecotec vehicles… ours have been in the shop just as much as anyone elses.
09/16, 12:35 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
BMW is junk