Bmw's New 3-cylinder Engine

By Author: Robert Vadra
Total Articles: 32
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BMW has a new trick up its sleeve in terms of increasing the fuel efficiency of its cars: a 1.5 litre 3-cylinder engine. While putting a 3-cylinder engine in a BMW SUV or performance car may sound counterintuitive, keep in mind that BMW's TwinPower Turbo technology will give the engine a performance boost while the engine itself uses roughly 15 percent less fuel than its 4-cylinder siblings.

The 3-cylinder engine debuted as a prototype featured in the BMW 1-series hatchback. The engine puts out 180 horsepower and 270Nm of torque and has been applauded for its responsiveness and sporty sound. BMW's new 3-cylinder engine is expected to be used in front wheel drive vehicles including next year's MINI. It will be offered in petrol and diesel versions.

Affectionately referred to as the 'Baby Six', this little engine shares many of the same characteristics as BMW's 3.0 6-cylinder engine. Like a younger sibling, the Baby Six also has its own unique personality, despite the shared genetics.

Because it's currently still under development, additional power may be possible once the engine is finalised and put to use ...
... in BMW's fleet. In fact, BMW is rumoured to be planning a more potent version of the 3-cylinder for its i8 supercar.

The engine's development is part of the 'New BMW Group Efficient Dynamics' family. BMW's Efficient Dynamics strategy involves combining fuel efficient engines with aerodynamics, ancillary equipment used as needed, lightweight engineering, efficient transmissions, and innovations such as TwinPower Turbo and ActiveHyrbid technologies. The engine uses a modular architecture which helps keep the costs and look of the gasoline and diesel engines similar.

While the 3-cylinder engine is a conventional engine for the most part, the TwinPower Turbo 1.5 litre 3 cylinder engine features a variable valve control system and a 'High Precision Injection' direct fuel injection system. Low internal friction and fuel efficiency result. Another way the engine conserves fuel is by dimming power when it's not needed. Instead of deactivating a cylinder, all cylinders are dimmed, resulting in less fuel consumption and minimised emissions.

As BMW continues to refine the technologies that make this engine a power horse, expect to see more engine innovations across the BMW product line. While this engine may be too small for a BMW SUV or 5-series, Efficient Dynamics strategies and technologies used in the 3-cylinder could translate into small engines with sufficient performance for larger BMW cars and SUVs. Your next BMW SUV, for example, may have the power you need without an excessive thirst for fuel.

With its promise of power, performance, and fuel efficiency, the new 3-cylinder engine is capturing the imagination of enthusiasts, BMW service technicians, existing BMW owners, and the media alike. This is an impressive little engine that is likely to find its home in the MINI and supercars alike.

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