Rumours: Next Gen BMW 1-Series and 3-Series to Receive Turbo 3-Cylinder

BMW 123d 2.0-liter twin turbo diesel engine
BMW 1-Series tii Concept

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Bristol411S3

A three-pot? Didn't see that coming. Looking forward to hearing how that sounds. Aren't Fiat planning a turbocharged twin for the 500 soon?

May 12, 2009 10:40 am

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orlandocroccia

nice numbers! BMW has always delivered excellent powerplants. Another battle in the horizon of the german Big Three!

May 12, 2009 10:48 am

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nederina

okay this might sound daft but i have driven mitsubishi's brilliant i-kei car. it's got a turbocharged 660cc petrol three cylinder engine. the sound it makes has a very good strong character; that also includes the perodua kelisa. there's a hint of porsche's flat six engine, at its high engine revs. hope that the engine also will make its way in the next mini - hopefully the car will be lighter too. i think it is bmw's new strategy to install a hybrid motor like what mitsubishi did to their i-MIEV.

May 12, 2009 10:54 am

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Targa_Florio

Exactly 178hp/L for both top-end engines?! That sounds as a lot. I guess they would use Variable Twin-Turbo like they do on diesels rather than Parallel Twin-Turbo currently used on the 3L petrol, otherwise they might struggle with turbo lag and high boost threshold.

May 12, 2009 11:18 am

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madness

A 3 cylinder? I dunno... 3 cylinder engines tend to be noisy and unbalanced. any1 who has driven an opel corsa 1l petrol or a 1.4 diesel polo will know exactly what im on about!

May 12, 2009 11:39 am

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afterace2

I do and i don;t want to have anything in common with a 3 cylinder, even if it comes from a BMW!

May 12, 2009 1:33 pm

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Screw the 3 cylinder...the figures for the 2L 4banger sounds impressive...imagine how much more a tuner can eek out from that engine with some simple engine management, turbo, and exhaust upgrades! God I'm so glad that turbo engines are making a come back! My friend's old 944 Turbo was a beast after some modifications...the newer engines should be even better!

May 12, 2009 3:02 pm

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alessandro

I had one. My first very own car was Daihatsu Charade from 1984. A litre three-pot as hell. Never again but engine was torquish though.

May 12, 2009 3:02 pm

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xLumino

Sonds completely different to what we know about BMW-engines. 3-cylindre turboengines have great power for small cars, but for 3-series of BMW? I wait for it and will test, nothing more to say ;)

May 12, 2009 4:13 pm

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HEMI426

BMW engines are good as the are now! 2.0 170 hp, 3.0 272 hp, without a turbo. Don't make your engines any smaller, or give every engine in your lineup a turbo. I hope the don't gonna make only inline six petrol engines with turbos, in my opinion there normally aspirated 3.0 L6 with 218 or 272 hp is the best six cylinder petrol engine EVER

May 12, 2009 4:56 pm

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fusion01

What, from a 1.8 litre? I'm amazed: 'The 1.8-litre will produce a massive 273bhp (204kW) minimum and 321bhp (239kW) tops.' Seems a little OTT to me. When these little puppies roll out, I'll be getting my 135i straight six for cheap 2nd hand with no regrets. Have a turbo car now and wanting to go the NA route!

May 12, 2009 5:04 pm

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fusion01

^ lol... the 135i is a twin-turbo on a straight 6, so best of both worlds!

May 12, 2009 5:05 pm

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Uptohere

I don't see how this is superior to a 4 cyl.

May 12, 2009 7:46 pm

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X_man

nice