BMW and Mercedes-Benz Chase Audi Into The 4 Cylinder Marketplace

Facing stricter fuel economy standards, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are considering bringing four-cylinder engines back to the United States.

BMW stopped offering four-cylinders in 1999 when its 318ti hatchback flopped. Mercedes-Benz had four-cylinder engines on the 2005 C230 and SLK230 but dropped them in favor of six-cylinder models.

BMW of North America is considering a twin-turbocharged, direct-injection four-cylinder gasoline engine for U.S. vehicles, said CEO Jim O'Donnell.

"The plans will be firmed up when we have definite news from Washington on what the fuel standards are going to be," he said.


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fatandsassy - 4/27/2009 1:50:30 PM

+6 Boost

I owned a 2005 MB 230 Kompressor. It was a 4 cyl turbo engine. That little thing was awesome and great MPG. I was just recently looking at a new c class and was really shocked to see no 4 cyl turbo. I never had an issue with the motor.

Yonder7 - 4/27/2009 2:29:36 PM

+4 Boost

There is no such thing as Kompressor With Turbo..... You´ll have Kompressor i.e. "SUPERCHARGER" or Turbo, but not both...

fatandsassy - 4/27/2009 2:33:33 PM

+5 Boost

Woops. Thanks for the correction.

AlexTx - 4/27/2009 2:40:49 PM

+2 Boost

Eeerr... WRONG!
Case in point, VW Twin charger engine.
1.4L Turbocharged and Supercharged 4 cylinder..

AlexTx - 4/27/2009 2:41:20 PM

+10 Boost

Oh yeah.. the IS250 is sooooooo freaking fast.....
THAT is pathetic.

david959 - 4/27/2009 4:02:17 PM

-5 Boost

Had to be, nothing Japanese can ever tough anything German. That's just the natural order of things...

AlexTx - 4/27/2009 5:48:22 PM

+8 Boost

Please.... i test drove a IS250 and was so disapointed. I can't imagine how slow the IS250AWD must have been.
Opted for the A4 2.0T Quattro and could have not been happier.

david999 - 4/27/2009 6:10:23 PM

-3 Boost

david969 is a troll.Don't get sucked-in.

0to60 - 4/27/2009 5:45:27 PM

-5 Boost

Isnt the tsx the class leader in the ssegment in the US?

bmwdrvr - 4/27/2009 8:19:39 PM

+3 Boost

more rediculous titles, chase audi?? yeah sure, the economy, rising fuel economy standards, and gas prices have nothing to do with it, simply all to chase audi.....yeah

VISO - 4/27/2009 9:45:02 PM

-1 Boost

They are chasing Audi, sorry bmwdr, as they are now behind Audi in sales in Europe, China and other markets. Only the US do they have an advantage. But Americans are slowly going through BMW rehab.

commander104 - 4/27/2009 10:11:25 PM

+3 Boost

You forgot to mention Ford in the title. Their new engines are also direct injection.

Joe_Limon - 4/28/2009 3:16:59 AM

+1 Boost

Not only are they direct injection, but they are reliable to boot!