BMW M says no probability it would provide four-cylinder efficiency vehicles

Mercedes-AMG is controversially utilizing a four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain in its new C63, however don’t anticipate any fewer than six cylinders in a BMW M product.

“I hope that was only a rhetorical query as a result of it’s clear we’re not going to do any three-cylinder engines,” stated BMW M boss Franciscus van Meel when requested if the division’s inline six-cylinder engines may make manner for a three-pot, per a report from CarBuzz.

“We’re not even going to do four-cylinder engines in high-performance vehicles. I do know there are different corporations [that] are doing that, however we’re not going to try this.”

That additionally guidelines out a full-fat M model of the 1 Collection or X2. These autos at the moment prime out with much less hardcore M Efficiency variants packing turbocharged four-cylinder engines, because it’s understood their UKL2 underpinnings can’t assist six-cylinder engines.

BMW has provided six-, eight- and even 10-cylinder M vehicles earlier than, and constructed a prototype M8 model of its first-generation 8 Collection with a V12 engine.

Within the historical past of M vehicles, nevertheless, there’s solely ever been one four-cylinder automobile: the E30 M3. Whereas lauded as an iconic BMW, there’s evidently no need right now to return to this variety of cylinders.

In distinction, Mercedes-Benz’s new turbocharged plug-in hybrid four-cylinder powertrain shall be used not solely within the subsequent C63, but in addition the GLC 63, whereas its upcoming mid-sized coupe and convertible vary – anticipated to be known as CLE – can also be anticipated to make use of this.

BMW has continued to make use of a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine in its newest technology of M3 and M4, in addition to the just lately revealed M2.

The M division will provide its first electrified automobile within the XM, due right here within the first half of subsequent 12 months, which packs a plug-in hybrid system just like the aforementioned AMGs however affords double the variety of cylinders.

The following M5 is predicted to additionally use this plug-in hybrid V8 powertrain.

The M2 would be the final BMW M automotive with none electrification and is predicted to final till 2030 – and BMW will proceed providing it with a guide till then, supplied there’s nonetheless demand.

The M division isn’t simply engaged on plug-in hybrids, with electrical autos firmly in its future.

Earlier this 12 months, it revealed an all-electric take a look at automobile based mostly on the i4 M50 with an electrical motor for every wheel.

The M division claims “excellent energy transmission to the street” may be computed “inside milliseconds” based mostly on many components, together with steering, load, wheel pace, street situations, and accelerator enter.

M says the event powertrain affords a “degree of dynamics that’s unattainable utilizing typical drive programs” whereas staying true to the division’s ethos during the last 50 years: “a linear build-up of drive energy and lateral dynamics that allows controllable dealing with proper as much as the bounds”.

Given its electrical nature, effectivity can also be necessary and, as such, the idea is ready to use regenerative braking “proper as much as the bounds of driving dynamics”.

In accordance with the agency, it has already evaluated the powertrain by way of digital fashions and take a look at benches, and this rolling prototype is the following step within the system’s growth.

BMW has subsequently stated it could possibly provide as much as 1000kW of energy from a quad-motor electrical drivetrain.

It’s unclear if BMW is making ready this quad-motor powertrain for a future variant of an current CLAR-based mannequin vary, equivalent to a completely fledged M variant of the i4, or whether or not we’ll have to attend for autos based mostly on the upcoming Neue Klasse devoted EV structure.