Next BMW M3 returning to inline six-cylinder engine
#1
Next BMW M3 returning to inline six-cylinder engine
Next BMW M3 returning to inline six-cylinder engine
BMW M3 purists, rejoice. According to F30Post.com, BMW's North American boss, Ludwig Willisch, has confirmed that the next-generation M3 will be powered by an inline six-cylinder engine. That's right, the V8 is dead and the rumors of a possible V6 have officially been squashed.
To wit, Willisch told F30Post.com that a V6 was under consideration for quite some time, and the original thought was to use a chopped version of the S65 4.0-liter V8 found in the current car. But plans for a V-configuration have indeed been ruled out, and all that's left to speculate on is exactly how much help the new inline-six will get from forced induction.
In order to be more powerful than the current M3, no less than two turbochargers will likely be bolted to the new six-cylinder powerplant. In fact, we've even heard rumors of a tri-turbo setup being engineered for use in the M3. In any case, expect about 450 horsepower to be on tap.
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/22/n...linder-engine/
#7
Lexus Champion
Forget Dinan, I wanna see what JB Tuning will have to offer. If they have bone stock 335's putting down over 340whp just with the JB4 I can only imagine what they're gonna do with the next gen M3.
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#9
Lexus Test Driver
Never should have dumped the inline 6. Those things got nothing but massive praise over the years.
#11
I don't know much about cars, but from this very basic and superficial description of inline engines vs "V"-configured engines, it appears as though it's not really a big deal -
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question366.htm
There's some negligible weight, handling (center of gravity), and hood aesthetics advantages/disadvantages between the two.
Can anyone explain why M3 "purists" prefer the inline configuration to the "V"-configuration?
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question366.htm
There's some negligible weight, handling (center of gravity), and hood aesthetics advantages/disadvantages between the two.
Can anyone explain why M3 "purists" prefer the inline configuration to the "V"-configuration?
#12
"An inline engine is long and narrow. In small cars in particular, a long, narrow engine mounted transversely can allow a very short hood. In an air-cooled engine, the inline configuration is sometimes harder to cool. "
And, it looks like in terms of handling, flat > V > inline (i.e., flat engines give the lowest center of gravity and therefore provide the best handling).
So that's 2 strikes for the "inline" design. The only positive appears to be possible weight reduction advantages -
"The inline shape needs only half as many camshafts as a V configuration (if using overhead cams), which can lighten things slightly. "
Edit: But overall, these differences appear to be largely negligible -
"If you built all three of these six cylinder engines to the exact same specifications -- same displacement, same valves, same intake and exhaust systems, etc. -- they would likely perform nearly identically. Displacement is displacement. "
And, it looks like in terms of handling, flat > V > inline (i.e., flat engines give the lowest center of gravity and therefore provide the best handling).
So that's 2 strikes for the "inline" design. The only positive appears to be possible weight reduction advantages -
"The inline shape needs only half as many camshafts as a V configuration (if using overhead cams), which can lighten things slightly. "
Edit: But overall, these differences appear to be largely negligible -
"If you built all three of these six cylinder engines to the exact same specifications -- same displacement, same valves, same intake and exhaust systems, etc. -- they would likely perform nearly identically. Displacement is displacement. "
#13
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (2)
Inline 6 cylinder engines are inherently harmonically balanced with no need for a balance shaft. It is a very simple, straight forward, and very elegant configuration. The narrow config allows for a lot of room besides the block for extra hardware.
Would Lexus ever bring back a modern inline 6? 3JZ anyone?
Would Lexus ever bring back a modern inline 6? 3JZ anyone?