Webber Becomes Sixth F1 Winner With Monaco Victory

Franchitti Earns Third Indy 500 Win

Hong Kong Witnesses First Aston Martin One-77 Crash
2013 Volkswagen CC Gets Sporty R-Line Trim

Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix Weather Forecast

Sarrazin Gains Final Seat For Toyota Racing At Le Mans
Indy 500 Carb Day Practice To Franchitti; Dixon Takes IZOD Pit...

Volkswagen Golf R Cabrio Patent Photos Revealed

2013 Cadillac XTS Configurator Launched

Coming Soon: Three-Cylinder BMW 3-Series Models?

Kurt Ernst

Contributor BIO

Kurt has been fascinated by anything with wheels and a motor for a long time. Growing up, he spent his spare time turning wrenches and pumping gas in... More

LATEST ARTICLE
Is A BMW 1-Series Sedan In The Works?
The BMW 3-Series sedan, like many of us, has picked up a few additional pounds and inches over the... Read More

#2LEADERBOARD RANK
1588ARTICLES CONTRIBUTED
81COMMENTS POSTED

1 2,650 views Feb 10, 2012

2012 BMW 3-Series

Enlarge Photo

BMW’s 3-Series has long been known for its silky-smooth inline-six engines. In these fuel-conscious times, however, the Munich-based automaker is replacing some of its inline-six engines with 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder powerplants in 3-Series and Z4 models.

If Britain’s Whatcar? is correct, the downsizing won’t end there, either. BMW’s head of engine development, Peter Nefischer, has stated that the automaker is working on three-cylinder engines for various applications, including some that could make it to the next 3-Series models.

From Nefischer’s perspective, current engine technology has matured almost as far as it can go, which means that the next step is downsizing to save weight and boost fuel economy. In his words, “Downsizing will go further, with smaller, more powerful engines.”

While three cylinder engines are nothing new, using them for applications as large as the 3-Series is. There’s also the issue of prestige to think about, as BMW buyers have certain expectations for performance and luxury, which won’t be met by an under-sized (and potentially underpowered) engine.

Given the overall trend of engine downsizing, we’d say it’s just a matter of time before three-cylinder engines become as common as four-cylinder engines are today. The only real question remaining is which automaker will introduce them first.

Tags:

Engines

Posted in:

Contribute

Send us a tip Comment Contact the editor

People Who Read This Article Also Read

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

Comment (1)

gazzed Posted: 2/13/2012 12:36am PST

I don't think so, quite certain BMW wouldn't even attempt shoving a 3-cylinder on their 1-Series. They may though apply it as a petrol alternative on their up-coming i3.

Post Reply

Vote

Bad stuff?