[Jason]

The aggressive fleet fuel economy average standards the Federal government has set for each auto manufacturer is something each is aggressively addressing. Starting with 2011 models, manufacturers must achieve a fleet average of 27.3 mpg, 30.1 mpg for 2012 models, and increasing each year until it reaches 35.5 mpg for 2016 models. So how will BMW reach these MPG goals for each model year? By the use of technology and smaller models and engines to the lineup. Via Autonews:

BMW: 8-speeds, smaller lineup

(2010: Trucks, 23.6mpg; Cars, 28.7mpg)

BMW has spent nearly $1.6 billion this year on fuel-saving technology. And it's about to get a complete makeover with multispeed transmissions, smaller crossovers and downsized engines.

Edmunds.com reports that BMW will have seven models with eight-speed transmissions in the 2011 model year, up from two in the 2010 model year. It also will increase the number of turbochargers from six in the 2009 to 15 this year.

BMW also is adding smaller products and engines. It will bring a new front-wheel-drive family of cars in a class known as UKL, a German abbreviation for lower-compact-class cars.

"It will be a relatively big segment because we have several body styles," Ian Robertson, BMW AG board member for sales and marketing, told Automotive News last fall.

The vehicles will be launched in the next few years, and will come to the United States with four-cylinder engines.

And BMW will concentrate on small crossovers in the next 18 months with a redesigned X3 and the new X1.

Both are based on the redesigned 3-series sedan, which will arrive in 2012 with a twin-turbocharged, direct-injection, four-cylinder gasoline engine which it has used in other markets besides North America.

In 2013, a new sub brand of electric and hybrid vehicles being developed by BMW's Project i group will debut.

[1sikbmr]

So what happens to the ///M brand by 2016? I cant say i like the way this is going... But it is what it is... Also what the heck with the front wheel drive?

[bmwdinamo]

The M cars get averaged in. They also get more efficient each generation, like the 2012 M5 will be 25% more efficient.

[fastrack]

This doesn't affect the M at all. They have to make some really efficient cars to make up for the M. It doesn't mean they can't have some gas guzzlers, it only means the average of their entire fleet needs to be at 35mpg

[wilstave]

"Four-cylinder 3-series"......sigh

[Diver]

It's possible to build some screaming fast cars using hybrid technology. Porsche has developed a flywheel based energy storage system that really works. The question is cost. Try to imagine a turbocharged four of 250 hp driving a boot mounted 200 hp flywheel system connected to a pair of 100 hp electric motors driving the front wheels. That is 450 hp total, with very high torque at launch.

The increased wheelbase (and probably track) of the 3 series will put it in the next higher size class where the mileage requirements are slightly less

Cars like the 135i face the biggest challenge. I have this bad feeling the 2013 US/2012 EU 1'ers will not offer the inline 6.

The non turbocharged 6 and the N55 are about to become history, along with anything else without a turbocharger. The present DCT in use is wet clutch. Dry clutch versions are more efficient, but limited in the torque that they can handle. Expect the wet clutch DCT to be limited to a few performance models.

[spiderz17]

Originally Posted by fastrack

This doesn't affect the M at all. They have to make some really efficient cars to make up for the M. It doesn't mean they can't have some gas guzzlers, it only means the average of their entire fleet needs to be at 35mpg

Not sure that's entirely true. This conversation is one of the biggest reasons M is moving towards FI motors.

[JB135MDCT]

Is it twin turbo I4 or Twin Scroll?

I say I6 1ers are keepers.

[maswastage]

They need to bring over the diesels. The big, powerful 35d engine can already meet the CAFE requirements, and smaller diesels will be even more efficient. And BMW's modern diesels are just as sporty and fun to drive as their gasoline brethren, something that can't be said about hybrids. It's a case of having your cake and gorging on it too.

[LemonOne]

Originally Posted by wilstave

"Four-cylinder 3-series"......sigh

seems like you've been missing out.

Seriously, I hate when people brag about the number of cylinders in their cars.
Do you track your car? Does it really matter to you that much?
As a daily driver's car, it really doesn't matter unless you own a high performance sportscar.

[PKL]

Originally Posted by maswastage

They need to bring over the diesels. The big, powerful 35d engine can already meet the CAFE requirements, and smaller diesels will be even more efficient. And BMW's modern diesels are just as sporty and fun to drive as their gasoline brethren, something that can't be said about hybrids. It's a case of having your cake and gorging on it too.

This. Diesel is so much better than hybrid!

[1sikbmr]

This means i am keeping my NA M3 for a very long time

[James T. Kirk]

Originally Posted by LemonOne

Seriously, I hate when people brag about the number of cylinders in their cars.
Do you track your car? Does it really matter to you that much?
As a daily driver's car, it really doesn't matter unless you own a high performance sportscar.

As a non-tracking driver, I can assure you, it's not macho-ness that begs the cylinder question. It's the performance and feel.

As the technology improves, then so shall the performance. If BMW can make a 4-cylinder screamer that'll give me north of 300 lbs of torque in a superlight body, then fine. But until that day, I'll be sticking with my V8.

I'm even skeptical of the new M3 coming down the pike going back to an inline-6. It would have to give 100 more HP before I give up my V8, which by the way we can all easily supercharge to 525/600 HP if we wanted to.

For me, moving from my E46 M3 to the new E90 was a REVOLUTION in driving experience.

[Thud]

Originally Posted by Diver

It's possible to build some screaming fast cars using hybrid technology. Porsche has developed a flywheel based energy storage system that really works. The question is cost. Try to imagine a turbocharged four of 250 hp driving a boot mounted 200 hp flywheel system connected to a pair of 100 hp electric motors driving the front wheels. That is 450 hp total, with very high torque at launch.

The increased wheelbase (and probably track) of the 3 series will put it in the next higher size class where the mileage requirements are slightly less

Cars like the 135i face the biggest challenge. I have this bad feeling the 2013 US/2012 EU 1'ers will not offer the inline 6.

The non turbocharged 6 and the N55 are about to become history, along with anything else without a turbocharger. The present DCT in use is wet clutch. Dry clutch versions are more efficient, but limited in the torque that they can handle. Expect the wet clutch DCT to be limited to a few performance models.

This is what happens when car makers make vehicles that the government demands, not what the consumers want. It means more expensive cars for us (all that R&D cost gets passed on to us), and fewer choices.

[Thud]

Originally Posted by wilstave

"Four-cylinder 3-series"......sigh

That doesn't have to be a bad thing. This 3 series had 4 cylinders:

[E90SLAM]

what's wrong with 4-cylinder? something comes in mind....Evo and STi....
proper tuning and chassis as well as a good tranny will still delivers great driving experience....

[scheherazade]

Originally Posted by Thud

That doesn't have to be a bad thing. This 3 series had 4 cylinders:

Yep.

And according to re-sale values, e30m is a massive win.


E30
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/search...=1294166048005

E36
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/search...=1294166083212

e46
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/showca...false&systime=

e92
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/search...=1294166156936



If only bmw would make light, nimble cars again.

Plus, lighter = better city mileage.

-scheherazade

[Small Yellow]

I hate this movement.

[PJPHughes]

BMW needs to bring more diesels. As a 335d owner, I'd gladly drop down to a sport package equipped 320d (E91 please!) with a 6 speed manual. Maybe I'm a rare breed of BMW driver, but there's something to be said for diesel torque, 50mpg and 700+ miles on the highway.

Then again, I do love me some 425 lb/ft!

Or bring the 530d Touring...not the ugly GT thing. Wagons aren't dead yet!

[kmarei]

so how far are we from a M3d?

[Javier]

We should just skip straight to electric cars. Great efficiency and great perfomance.
None of that hybrid crap

[shanecarmaster1]

I refuse to own a 4 cylinder car, a 4 cylinder BMW, at that.