BMW Three-Cylinder Revealed, Will Power Next Mini
BMW revealed an all new 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine today, which is destined to live under the hood of the next generation MINI, a new front-wheel drive series from BMW and possibly even the existing rear-drive 1 Series and 3 Series.
The small three-cylinder will be offered in gasoline and diesel versions, both of which are expected to be about 15 percent more fuel efficient than the motors they are replacing. The engine uses a single turbocharger, alloy-block, 11.0:1 compression ratio and a 500cc cylinder which is being implemented into every BMW engine across it’s lineup as part of the companies future modular engine strategy.
The gasoline version of the engine is set to make between 40 hp and 66 hp per cylinder, giving it an overall rating between 120 hp and 200 hp. For torque, the gas engine is expected to make somewhere around 132 lb-ft, with a possible 198 lb-ft.
Coming from the same production line, the diesel engine shares 60 percent of its architecture with its gasoline counterpart. It is set to make between 100 hp and 181 hp while putting out between 166 lb-ft and 221 lb-ft of torque.
BMW is also preparing a four-cylinder sister engine that will use the same architecture and basic design that is supposed to make over 220 hp. It will likely be first used in the tuned up Mini Cooper S model.
Although the Mini will likely be the engines first high-production vehicle, it will probably find its first home in the back of the BMW i8.
[Source: Autocar]
Stephen covers all of the day-to-day events of the industry as the News Editor at AutoGuide, along with being the AG truck expert. His truck knowledge comes from working long days on the woodlot with pickups and driving straight trucks professionally. When not at his desk, Steve can be found playing his bass or riding his snowmobile or Sea-Doo. Find Stephen on <A title="@Selmer07 on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/selmer07">Twitter</A> and <A title="Stephen on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/117833131531784822251?rel=author">Google+</A>
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