BMW M says no likelihood it’s going to 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,” mentioned BMW M boss Franciscus van Meel when requested if the division’s inline six-cylinder engines might make approach 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 presently high 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 supplied 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, nonetheless, there’s solely ever been one four-cylinder automobile: the E30 M3. Whereas lauded as an iconic BMW, there’s evidently no want at this time 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 additionally the GLC 63, whereas its upcoming mid-sized coupe and convertible vary – anticipated to be referred to as CLE – can 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 era of M3 and M4, in addition to the not too long ago 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 gives 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 automobile 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 primarily based on the i4 M50 with an electrical motor for every wheel.

The M division claims “ideally suited energy transmission to the street” will be computed “inside milliseconds” primarily based on many components, together with steering, load, wheel velocity, street circumstances, and accelerator enter.

M says the event powertrain gives a “stage of dynamics that’s unattainable utilizing standard drive techniques” 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 boundaries”.

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

Based on 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 improvement.

BMW has subsequently mentioned it will 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, resembling a totally fledged M variant of the i4, or whether or not we’ll have to attend for autos primarily based on the upcoming Neue Klasse devoted EV structure.