All About Japan Autos

By year’s end, the BMW lineup should include smaller, more fuel-efficient engines. The company announced yesterday at the DC Auto Show that it plans to unveil a twin-turbocharged four-cylinder mill. “The German automaker will introduce not one, but at least two models with four-cylinder engines before the end of 2011,” says Left Lane News. “The BMW exec stopped short of identifying exactly which models would receive them, or even which were up for consideration, but the most likely chose beyond the Z4 would of course be either the 1-Series or 3-Series models due to their smaller size and lower weights.&rdquo.

Those concerned that a new, four-cylinder mill will lack power shouldn’t worry. Detroit News writes, “It will have 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque and ‘offers more power and torque than our normally aspirated 3.0-liter inline six and most importantly, provides the classic BMW combination of power, refinement and pure driving pleasure.’”

Fortunately, the new engines should have better fuel economy ratings. “Not surprisingly, BMW is keen to replace its naturally aspirated six-cylinder engines with the more fuel efficient four-banger, and the good news is that models featuring the downsized engine are heading to the U.S.,” says Green Car Reports.

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