[Suave]

Originally Posted by M3guy3

Porsche uses high strung N/A 6 cylinders. that sound and feel nothing like what all these new small turbo engines are heading. they make some very nice engines. that new GT3 is a N/A 6 cylinder making allmost 500HP with a 9k RPM redline is NUTS.

i wish i was like you though. i wish i could say i dont care how many cylinders the car has. it would be easy to just go with the times. you will make a perfect f80 buyer

Keep in mind that I am comparing my Boxster S which had 100hp less than my F80 will have and still performed and sounded great! Having also heard the F80 in person let me say that they are both very comparable. The videos you hear no matter how good the sound does not do the F80 justice. I actually liked the sound better than the Boxster which was deeper and more aggressive sound.

[Falafel Combo]

I'm surprised they are not already using a 4 cylinder in the M2. And I see no reason for them to rule it out on future M3/4 cars. Hopefully as an electric hybrid (i8).

[ChrisMT79]

As they stated, there is no target power output from the start. I'd say they will continue focusing on weight savings, and getting the cost of the material production lower. After determining where they will fall in the weight/balance area, they then will determine which engine set up is going to be the best option for both power and efficiency. I think it was smart of them to leave the door/options open for a smaller engine. This is ultimately where the industry and technology is leading anyway.

[Tonymiabmw]

Originally Posted by ChrisMT79

As they stated, there is no target power output from the start. I'd say they will continue focusing on weight savings, and getting the cost of the material production lower. After determining where they will fall in the weight/balance area, they then will determine which engine set up is going to be the best option for both power and efficiency. I think it was smart of them to leave the door/options open for a smaller engine. This is ultimately where the industry and technology is leading anyway.

If this happens you'll see me in a Corvettes

[apexkingjusto]

I love this! My 4cyl s2000 race car runs circles around my e90 m3. I know drag guys making 1000hp on 4cyl so it's easily possible. My biggest concern would be loss of tq.

[inFamousKicks]

Eh, I could see it happening. Brands these days are making fairly easy power off of 4-cyl turbos, but not sure if I'd want to see that happening with the M.

[sebaflex]

for the M2, yes please.

For the M3/M4... nope.

[wilstave]

The extensive use of carbon fibre components that BMW is planning can certainly make this very feasible. But, as unhappy as many are with the current I6's engine sound (including Autocar's Steve Sutcliffe), can you imagine what kind of dreadful noise a 4 cylinder motor would produce?

[awesomee92]

Originally Posted by Tonymiabmw

If this happens you'll see me in a Corvettes

Exactly people who buy an M car should not be concerned with gas mileage, put the 4 cylinder engines in the regular model lineups of the 2,3, and 4 series and leave the bigger engines in the 5,6,7 and M models. Sorry to say it but I would never buy an M with a 4 cylinder I will take a corvette C7 V8 engine any day.

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by awesomee92

Exactly people who buy an M car should not be concerned with gas mileage, put the 4 cylinder engines in the regular model lineups of the 2,3, and 4 series and leave the bigger engines in the 5,6,7 and M models. Sorry to say it but I would never buy an M with a 4 cylinder I will take a corvette C7 V8 engine any day.

Word to the wise, you must be over 50 with a huge gut, to ever own a Corvette.

[Tonymiabmw]

Originally Posted by awesomee92

Exactly people who buy an M car should not be concerned with gas mileage, put the 4 cylinder engines in the regular model lineups of the 2,3, and 4 series and leave the bigger engines in the 5,6,7 and M models. Sorry to say it but I would never buy an M with a 4 cylinder I will take a corvette C7 V8 engine any day.

For me it's not the cost of gas. It the inconvenience stoping at the pump every 2 days. When your schedule is tight finding a gas station and refilling is a pain in the ass. Will look forward to getting 25mpg on F80

[ADRQ0811]

Hmmm interesting

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by ASAP

8 to 6 is one thing. 6 to 4 is where I look for an exit sign.

+1.

[tlrid3r]

Now that's just ridiculous. Should've had a v8. Glad I got a v8

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by tlrid3r

Now that's just ridiculous. Should've had a v8. Glad I got a v8

Your V8 needs Boost !!

[bradleyland]

Seven years is a long time. I don't know if it's far enough in to the future to say that a hybrid drivetrain is a lock, but the BMW-i program isn't here for nothing. To be sure, a lot will depend on how that program (the i program) works out. If BMW continues their success with the i line-up, I'd expect to see the technology transition to their mainstream line more quickly.

That's a big bet though. There are a lot of different bets being made by different manufacturers. Hybrid is just one of them.

If BMW's bet pans out, you're going to hear a lot more about torque-fill in their marketing. When you have an electric motor there to fill in gaps in your ICE's torque output, the possibilities open up significantly.

[e92ben]

Originally Posted by myzmak

No kidding a 4 cylinder M3 is possible.

In fact, it is so possible that it already exists and has for almost 30 years: its called the E30. And it is truly legendary.

Seriously, if and when it happens again (one or two gens from now) it would only be because ridiculous performance can be pulled out of that kind of engine. Which would be a good thing.

That is the real joy of the M division (IMHO): not large engines, not noise, not 'ring track times, etc. But taking something "ordinary" (the standard 3 series, say) and making it ridiculously sublime. The engine size is just one of the tools, like all the others.

In the end, I don't really care how they do it, but love that they keep doing so....

It would also be for better EPA/ gas mileage, better emissions etc. New laws and regulations pass everyday for the environment. Which is nice I guess... For people that care lol

[Slops]

actually... an SRT-4 is a turbo 4 cyl that is super lightweight and tunable to no end... too bad its FWD but i can def. see that if a 4 cyl is tuned with the right internals and boosted to about 30psi you could easily have the same hp/tq numbers the current m3/4 has or a lot more. IF they design it right, there wouldn't be any need for a hybrid version unless they are worried about the turbo lag on a huge turbo pushing 30psi... or maybe design something like the new mercedes F1 where they separated the hot/cold sides of the turbo for efficiency / power.

The point is there are tons of new development they can look at and I wouldn't be surprised to see a 4cyl 2.4l turbo with the m3 name.

[bucket328]

I'm sorry but no!!! I had no issue with them going from 6-8-6 again, but 4 banger is where I draw the line. I really could careless if its efficient and more powerful than the present S55, the thought of it spoils the car for me.

Again, this is my personal opinion. I'm sure many of you will disagree.

[bucket328]

Originally Posted by wilstave

The extensive use of carbon fibre components that BMW is planning can certainly make this very feasible. But, as unhappy as many are with the current I6's engine sound (including Autocar's Steve Sutcliffe), can you imagine what kind of dreadful noise a 4 cylinder motor would produce?

I agree!!

I love the sound of the new 6!

[spuntyb]

Why not? Cylinders will only be part of the power equation as recovery systems, turbo/supercharges become more advanced, and cars (theoretically) become lighter. I don't think it's a question of 'if', but 'how soon'. Don't production passenger vehicles have to be capable of 54mpg in the US in the not too distant future? Would be cool if BMW could lead the way by keeping their performance vehicles at 6 cylinders, but I just don't see the advantage with tighter restrictions coming down the pike.

[Seneca]

One of the reasons that M may be looking at a move to four-cylinder engines is because the DTM racing series is set to move to four-cylinder turbocharged engines by 2016.