New Rumors Surface about 4-Cylinder Turbocharged BMW Engine, this time for Z4 Roadster

Last time we reported about BMW's long-rumored family of turbocharged 4-cylinder engines, it was in the summer of 2010. Meanwhile, the German manufacturer hasn't revealed anything on the matter, giving the whole affair an almost mythical status.

However, a new rumor has surfaced, with Automobile Magazine tweeting that the entry level BMW Z4 will soon get a new, 4-cylinder force inducted engine, as a replacement for the naturally aspirated inline-six.

The exact tweet was “BMW new 4-cyl coming this year in Z4 roadster. Replaces nat asp 6, so at least 200 hp” and, seeing that average fuel consumption regulations and emissions standards are getting stricter by the day, it sounds like a logical move for BMW.

The Bavarian company sure knows how to build a fine turbocharged engine and there are many models in its line-up that could benefit from a more frugal, and equally if not more powerful four-pots. The 1-Series and 3-Series are just two that come to mind right, although we’re pretty sure that X3 owners wouldn’t mind better fuel economy as well.

Clearly, the question here is not “why”, but rather “when”, and at the rate things are going, we’d say let's meet up again this summer and we’ll hopefully have some more official info for you.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Automobile via Bimmerpost

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BMW Prices U.S.-Spec 2011 1-Series M Coupe and 2012 650i Convertible at NAIAS 2011

At the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, BMW announced pricing information for the U.S.-spec 2011 1-Series M Coupe, face-lifted 2012 1-Series, and the all-new 2012 650i Convertible.

The revised entry-level 128i Coupe starts from $31,825, while the much anticipated 1-Series M Coupe with the 335HP turbocharged inline-six is priced at $47,010 and will be available in limited quantity. The new generation of 650i Convertible starts at $91,375. All prices include an $875 destination and handling fee.

For the 2012 model year, all 1-Series variants received a mild exterior makeover and come with iPod/USB integration. Furthermore, certain models feature an innovative Air Curtain system (128i), which reduces wind resistance, Xenon adaptive headlights and power seats with adjustable lumbar support as standard (135i).

The 128i Convertible models get larger, 17-inch alloys, while the 135i Convertible comes with 18-inch rims. By adding a through-loading system, engineers also managed to improve the storage capacity of all open-top versions.

The complete price list of the 2012 BMW 1-Series is as follows:

128i Coupe $31,825

135i Coupe $39,925

128i Convertible $37,475

135i Convertible $44,675

The 2012 BMW 650i Convertible is powered by a 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 engine, rated at 400 hp and 450 lb-ft (610 Nm) of torque, which can be mated either to a 6-speed manual or an optional 8-speed automatic transmission. BMW says that the new model offers more passenger space, improved ergonomics and better materials. Just like the previous generation, the new 6-Series Convertible has a soft top that can retract in just 19 seconds at speeds up to 25 mph (40 km/h).

Sales of the 2012 1-Series, 2011 1-Series M Coupe and 2012 650i Convertible will start this spring.

By Csaba Daradics

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VIDEO: BMW Owner Leaves Car in Gear to Push, House Pays the Price

So here's how this 'fail' story goes: A female driver gets stuck on a patch of ice / snow in her automatic BMW 1-Series. After a few unsuccessful attempts of trying to free the Bavarian hatch from behind the steering wheel, she decides to leave it in gear and give it a push herself. While the BMW driver eventually managed to clear out of the slippery part of the road, she ended up in another mess [...]. See what happens next in the video after the break.

By Csaba Daradics

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Three World Premieres for BMW at the 2011 Detroit Show

In less than three weeks from now, the 2011 North American International Auto Show [NAIAS] will open its doors at the Cobo Hall in Detroit, and BMW will be there with three world premieres. These include the new 6-Series Convertible, the punchy 1-Series M Coupe and the revitalized for the 2011MY, 1-Series Coupe and Convertible. We've already had a chance to see all three models, so no surprise there, that is, unless the Bavarians have something else up their sleeves.

In more detail, the first version of the next generation 6-Series sports car is the Convertible, which will launch as the 650i equipped with a 400HP 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 linked to either a six-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission. The new 650i Convertible will go on sale in the spring of 2011 as a 2012 model for the United States, while the Coupe model will follow shortly after.

Next in line is the beefed up 1 Series M Coupe boasting a twin-turbocharged, all-aluminum, 3.0-liter inline-6 with 335 ponies driving the rear wheels through a standard close ratio 6-speed manual transmission. The new 1 Series M Coupe will be available in limited quantities next spring.

Finally, the 1 Series Coupe and Convertible enter the 2011 model year with some subtle styling tweaks and interior improvements, while keeping the same hardware. As with the other two BMWs, the updated 1s go on sale in spring of 2011.

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Mild Updates for 2012 BMW 1-Series Coupe and Convertible

The recent presentation of the range-topping BMW 1-Series M Coupe has been followed up by the unveiling of the regular 2012 model year 1-Series Coupe and Convertible models. There are no mechanical changes for the updated models (the 135i received the N55 twin-scroll turbo engine in Spring 2010), with BMW turning its attention on some subtle design modifications and improved aerodynamics, as well as on refinements to various controls plus new exterior paint colors, upholstery and interior trim.

New exterior design accents are limited to the reworked headlights and rear lights with LED strips, fresh styles for the 17-inch alloy and 18-inch alloy wheels and the addition of two new paint finishes, Vermilion Red and Marrakesh Brown.

BMW's designers also re-sized the vertical ventilation slits in the front apron to channel air into the wheel arches and create what they describe as an “air curtain” or aerodynamic screening effect across the face of the front wheels. The Bavarian firm claims that the change significantly reduces drag in this area.

Inside, buyers of both the coupe and convertible models will be greeted by new interior trim features and upholstery options. In addition, BMW has added a new sports leather steering wheel with shift paddles and an M leather steering wheel, again with shift paddles, to the cars' options list.

Other changes include the new markings on the DSC button in the instrument panel as the letters DSC (Dynamic Stability control) have been replaced by a new international symbol, while the light control center and the climate control panel in the center console now feature a chrome edging.

In the U.S., the 1-Series Coupe and Convertible will continue to be offered with a choice of two powertrains, a 3.0-liter naturally aspirated inline six with 230HP and 200 lb-ft of torque for the 128i, and a 3.0-liter inline-six [N55] with a twin-scroll turbocharger delivering 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque, for the 135i variants.

The 135i is equipped with a standard 6-speed manual gearbox or optionally with BMW’s 7-speed Double Clutch Transmission (DCT). For the 135i Coupe, acceleration from 0-60 mph [96km/h] is accomplished with the standard 6-speed manual transmission in 5.1 seconds, while the DCT model completes the same sprint in 5.0 seconds.

A 6-speed Steptronic automatic remains optional on the 128i. With this configuration the 128i Coupe runs 0-60 mph in 6.7 seconds, or 6.1 seconds with the standard 6-speed manual transmission.

The updated for the 2012 model year 1-Series Coupe and Convertible models will go on sale in the States this Spring.

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