By Justin Berkowitz
March 27, 2008 - 9,573 Views
I've been kvetching about the overcylinderization of BMWs M cars for a while now. The first M3 had an inline four. The next two gens holstered straight sixes. And now the M3 has a high-revving V8. BMW's mighty M5 went from two generations of straight sixes to a V8 to a high-revving V10. All this horsepower excuses BMW from having to lighten its cars and focus on improving dynamics. It seems that BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer is thinking along the same lines. Speaking to the German magazine Auto Motor Und Sport, Reithofer said he wants to trim down to fewer cylinder engines in the M cars and the rest of the BMW range. In particular, he said that BMW's diesel V8 (which is rather popular over in Europe) would be replaced with a twin turbocharged I6. And he indicated that the M range would also probably be downsized as well. Turbocharging, not displacement and cylinders, would be the path to improvements in M cars' horsepower and weight distribution. (Not to mention CO2 emissions.) Hey, if it works for the Nissan GT-R…
Subscribe to Newsletter26 Responses to “ The Next M3 Back Down to Six Cylinders? ”
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POWERED
March 27th, 2008 at 8:30 am
Sounds like the 335i nameplate and concept will be going away, as the twin-turbo six-cylinder concept becomes the distinguishing feature of the M-series. I wonder if the next generation of buyers will feel cheated buying an M3 if they know that it is effectively the evolution of a lower-level model.
It makes sense, though. Smaller turbos should get slightly better fuel economy, at least in the fuel economy test cycles, which means lower C02 output, which means compliance with EU regs and lower taxes for buyers. Where the laws are headed, they probably have no choice but to do this.
March 27th, 2008 at 8:40 am
Gee, I thought the lack of a V8 in a non-M 3 series was BMW’s only flaw. I still bought the car (335i coupe), but I would have rather had a V8.
BMW says the V8 is lighter than the 6, which would only improve dynamics.
Besides, as my wife (who has a Mustang GT) reminds me, “They don’t name vegetable juices after inline engines”.
Bob
March 27th, 2008 at 8:48 am
@Bob- sorry to be a bit harsh here, but BMW’s heritage is pretty damn far from a Mustang. There are those of us who think the 1-series isn’t even close to the car it should have been.
March 27th, 2008 at 8:59 am
The only car worthy of the M badge is the one in the picture IMO. All the others are boulevardiers masquerading as performance cars masquerading as race cars. No M series should be available with leather seating, for example. Or inline sixes. Sure they are smooth running but they are heavy. Great for trucks or luxury cars, but not ideal for anything with sporting pretensions.
It appears to me that since BMW can squeeze a lot larger margin out of luxed-out M series, they do. Nothing more to it.
March 27th, 2008 at 9:09 am
I agree with the sentiments - for BMW to keep making more powerful and heavier M cars is a joke.
They might has well kill the manual options and change their name to aMg.
March 27th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Oh how I love that 1st gen M3. I was lucky enough to beat the snot out of one of those cars when they first came out at a Skip Barber Racing day at the Bridgehampton Race Circuit (which has sadly now been converted into a golf course).
Every once in a while I still look around for a well preserved example of one of these cars because it was just the perfect embodiment of raw 4-cylinder performance.
March 27th, 2008 at 10:03 am
BMW has become the poseur’s car of choice.
March 27th, 2008 at 10:27 am
BMW’s diesel V8 is popular? It’s only available in the 7-series, not even in the X5… and most 7ers in Europe are 730d.
March 27th, 2008 at 10:27 am
relton
But they do name Interstate Highways after inline engines! :D
March 27th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Are you guys messing with us? BMW is going to make their cars lighter? Specifically the M3??? The pic of the E30 M3 is a dead giveaway to your ruse. Don’t tease me this way!