bmw testing 3-cylinder engines (!)

[decay]

http://jalopnik.com/5474926/next-bmw-1+series-spied-testing-three+cylinder-turbocharged-engines

According to the magazine about straight-laced auto motors and sports, the next generation of the underwhelming BMW 1-Series won't be more exciting to look at, but will feature an exciting range of three-cylinder turbocharged engines.

Why such a weird configuration? Three-cylinders are light and torquey, just what you want from a small engine. Bolt on a turbocharger and they're light, more torquey and actually make enough power to get out of their own way. And yes, we did just write a sentence about BMW in which we used the word "light" twice without being sarcastic either time.

South African car mag CarMag.co.za brings us this spy shot, which doesn't really reveal anything unless you're in the mood for tripy camo, but Auto Motor Und Sport brings us these five potential engines for the next 1-series:

116i: 1.35-liter inline-three with 140 Lb-Ft of torque.
118i: 1.35-liter inline-three with 162 Lb-Ft.
120i: 1.35-liter inline-three with 192 Lb-Ft.
123i: 1.8-liter inline-four with 221 Lb-Ft.
125i: 1.8-liter inline-four with 258 Lb-Ft.

Light, torquey, RWD BMWs, FTW!

120i engine sounds interesting because if it's basically half of an N5X-series engine, destroked and turboed, it might sit entirely behind the shock towers, making for a front-mid engine setup... and let's be honest, how many of us already have 192lb/ft without a turbo or swap? not many.

125i sounds like BMW has done what i plan to do with my M42.

all of this is good news, IF we wind up getting these engines stateside...

[rThor432]

IF we wind up getting these engines stateside...

Don't count on it chief. You know better than that anyways..

I waited patiently for 3-5 years until they finally brought the 1 series over here only to find that they didnt even bring the 5-door hatch to the States, let alone my 120d M-technic.. Then I lost all faith.

[Jean]

Geo Metro?! wait... wut

Seriously, I can't wait to see some pictures

[Holland]

Geo Metro?! wait... wut

Seriously, I can't wait to see some pictures

I had no idea that every cylinder on a metro is a different size, that's how they get away without any harmonic balancers.

[decay]

Don't count on it chief. You know better than that anyways..

you're absolutely right, i do know better.

which is why the m42 is still in my car.

but still, a guy can dream, can't he?

[e30e]

OH MY GODZ, the vision concept has 3 cylinder diesel....... It makes complete sense to chop 3 cylinders off the awesome n54/55 engine.

[decay]

OH MY GODZ, the vision concept has 3 cylinder diesel....... It makes complete sense to chop 3 cylinders off the awesome n54/55 engine.

so you'd say it makes an equal amount of sense to chop 2 cylinders off of the S38 to make the S14, then?

gee, why would BMW have chosen to do that?

maybe because the car handles better without the engine hanging way out in front of the strut towers? ya think?

[mrsleeve]

.

all of this is good news, IF we wind up getting these engines stateside...

highly unlikely, Ultra High Efficiency engines have been regulated out of this county by the EPA, (NOx compounds).

[SpecM]

I had no idea that every cylinder on a metro is a different size, that's how they get away without any harmonic balancers.

is that really true?

I didn't know that

[CorvallisBMW]

is that really true?

I didn't know that

me neither, that's crazy.

OT: Sounds good to me, I'm all about adding lightness.

[BeirBrennerE30]

poor 1series... I wanted an M1 and this is what they give us?

[tjts1]

How about a bmw that doesn't weigh 2 tons +

[rThor432]

but still, a guy can dream, can't he?

Yes; I'm still dreaming of my 120d M-technic 6-speed washing up on the US shore.

[CorvallisBMW]

highly unlikely, Ultra High Efficiency engines have been regulated out of this county by the EPA, (NOx compounds).

usually only a problem in lean-burning diesels, gas engines have very low NOx