BMW 1 and 3 Series to be three cylinder in 2012 – report
August 6, 2009 by Matt Brogan
According to a report published in German magazine Auto Motor und Sport recently the upcoming 2012 BMW 1 and 3 Series range, and upcoming Z2 model (pictured below), could feature a number of fuel efficient three-cylinder engines on its entry level models.
Sources close to BMW say the three-cylinder engines will power some lower end models exclusively while others in the range will have the engine coupled to a hybrid arrangement.
Although speculative at best, the claims for engine output are listed as follows, though bear in mind, these figures are only an estimate and will most likely change many times before production:
- 1/316i: 1335cc three-cylinder (90kW/190Nm)
- 1/318i: 1335cc three-cylinder (110kW/220Nm)
- 1/320i: 1335cc three-cylinder (132kW/260Nm)
Now it may seem odd that BMW would take this direction, but with even stricter emission regulations just around the corner and the ever growing need for cleaner technologies, BMW’s Efficient Dynamics program has been working hard to ensure that the sporty drive favoured in its models will not be lost in the move to smaller displacement engines with the three pot offerings all believed to utilise turbocharger technology.
Best of all for those of us that still want outright performance, BMW will continue to offer their award winning six- and eight-cylinder engines in upper-spec models.
Print it: 
Not a bad idea. Three cylinder engines have a number of benefits. They reduce frictional losses (increase fuel economy), reduce parts/price and reduce maintenance costs.
Seeing as they are less rev-happy, teaming them up with a turbo would compensate for the peak power loss.
It will be interesting comparing these to VW’s turbocharged 1.4L four-cylinder offerings.
Wow 132 Kw from a three cylinder engine.
I want this engine for my daihatsu charade
No surprise there,they have already said the next M3 will be going back to the inline six and maybe even twin turbo 4s for the more performance end of things.
That Z2 is about the same colour as mine ,*NICE*
When will they bring back the Isetta?
Those are some impressive power figures out of such tiny engines. It’s amazing how far technology has come.
German’s are once again on top of things and will probably produce the best 3-4 cylinder turbocharged engines out there.
I have a feeling most cars will have smaller displacement and either be turbo or super charged in the near future.
Sounds good. I’m sure BMW will do a brilliant job of them so they should go for it. Anything to get rid of the dull and uninspiring curent range of four cylinder engines BMW uses.
BMW must have it all wrong:
Mr Reuss said “Holden has a V6 that is the most advanced in the world … Dropping cylinders would be the last resort”
well as long as you keep the sportier engines then it’s ok. but now more and more cars are fitting turbos, and we (p platers) can’t drive turbos so wtf are we suppose to drive?
I’m sorry, but that Z2 concept shown is fugly!
DesignEng©™ Says:
“BMW must have it all wrong:
Mr Reuss said “Holden has a V6 that is the most advanced in the world … Dropping cylinders would be the last resort””
It may be one of the most advanced V6 engines in the world, but it is far from being the most refined! I have never come across such a high tech, modern specification engine that is still as afraid of anything above mid rpm as this one. It is not much better in the higher rev ranges than the decades old Buick that preceded it. Sure it may rev all the way to red line, but it sounds and feels like it isn’t enjoying it at all.
1) You do realise that I was being sarcastic about Reuss’ media dribble.
2) When did you drive the new engined Commodore? I thought it wasn’t released until nest month!
Don’t worry, I picked that up Design Eng, I was just expanding on your comment! I though you would have picked that up. Sorry! :-)
I am talking about the current ‘vibrotech’ engine which is only a few years old. The SIDI isn’t much different other than the heads to accommodate and take advantage of the switch to direct injection. I would also presume the camshaft timing would be slightly different too, but the main engine architecture is basically the same (block etc). As I said in another thread, I hope the switch to direct injection improves that ‘characteristic’!
I’ll come out straight away and say this grab is all BS!
I have not seen a 3 cylinder motor yet that has the smoothness at idle required for such a marque as BMW.
DA, No probs
BMW have been making 3cyl engines for years Rick. They are still making them to this day. The 3cyl BMW motorbikes I have ridden have been extremely smooth all the way from idle to red line. I am sure there would be many ‘Trumpy’ riders that would say the same thing about a good 3cyl… ;-)
3 cylinder engine? Wow! Bring it on! It will be on par with the 3 cylinder Hyundai Accent thrashed by Top Gear!
Sounds innovative this 3 cyl thing, should be fun to see how it goes.
Looks like that Z2 will be trying to take sales away from Mazda eh ?
At the risk of being banned yet again, gee its such great news that you have a blue one BM, I should be able to sleep forever now. Not missing your drivel at all old lady, go do some knitting.