Next generation BMW 1 and 3 Series to use 3 and 4 cylinder engines

Even though this is something we anticipated and talked about for quite some time now, this morning the breaking news in the BMW world were that the German automaker will start using 3-cylinder engines in the next generation BMW 1 Series and the high-volume seller, 3 Series.

According to sources close to BMW, the 3-cylinder engines will power some of the entry level vehicles and smaller mild hybrid platforms. The upcoming BMW Z2 and the new generation 1 Series are the prime candidates for this new direction. Quoting the same source, these engines are currently in a testing phase and are still about two years away from the launch date.

x16i - 1,35 liters I3, 122hk/190Nm
x18i - 1,35 liters I3, 150hk/220Nm
x20i - 1,35 liters I3, 180hk/260Nm
x23i - 1,80 liters I4, 204hk/300Nm
x25i - 1,80 liters I4, 240hk/350Nm
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david999 - 5/8/2009 11:28:01 AM

-3 Boost

Makes sense to put the smaller displacement engine in the 1-series. However,, the bread and butter 3-series
should maintain some of its "soul" by not sharing smaller engines with the 1-series.

EnnNorak - 7/26/2009 9:53:43 AM

+1 Boost

Ddavid999, this makes no sense at all unless the company is in deep financial difficulty. Who wants to drive a BMW with a shaky 3-cyl engine?

ThierryHenry14 - 5/8/2009 8:30:06 PM

+2 Boost

As long as the performance is not compromised, I'm all for it...

Reason - 5/9/2009 12:13:01 AM

-1 Boost

They could power this thing with a vibrator and like lemmings to cliff, people will jump at the opportunity to buy one, and it's all because of that infamous three letter acronym.

theoptimisticpessimist - 5/9/2009 12:29:26 PM

0 Boost

Wow this is shocking news, Oh wait you can buy a 3er and 1er in Europe right now with a 4 banger in it.

KZ258 - 5/9/2009 7:58:30 PM

0 Boost

BMW loses that twin turbo engine, they lose a future customer. thats all im sayin

Freude - 5/15/2009 11:12:58 AM

+1 Boost

What's your problem? There is nothing wrong with a smaller engine. In fact, this makes business sense. As long as they still offer good performance. If I am buying a car right now, the max I will go for is a 2 litre. Oil price is too high, we are in recession, and most of all, I value efficiency and value for money. It is not correct to still buy V12 and V8's or those types of rediculous muscle cars taht are unrefined loud and dirty. We are not in the 90's anymore! Quiet, Efficient, Smooth is the trend and that points directly at 4 cylinder or even 3.