BMW Gets Set for 4 Cylinders

The CEO of BMW North America, Jim O’Donnell, revealed today at the Frankfurt Auto Show that his company will be launching novel four-cylinder engines to meet new environmental standards.

These engines, which will be more economical than the current 6-cylinder, will be equipped with two turbos.  According to O’Donnell, the German brand will be able to offer the engines by 2015.

O’Donnell also announced that the next 3 Series, coming out in the spring of 2012, will feature a four-cylinder engine.  European versions of the 3 Series are rolling out now with either 4-cylinder or diesel engines.

BMW also is considering adding four-cylinder gasoline engines to its X1 and X3 crossovers and 1 Series models in the United States.