SPRING VALLEY, N.Y., May 10, 2011 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — It’s been a decade since BMW shipped a car to the United States with a four-cylinder engine, but with new federal fuel-consumption limits looming BMW is hoping that a turbocharged four-cylinder will meet its customers’ needs for power and the government’s need for improved fleet fuel economy. Starting this fall, New York BMW dealers like Wide World BMW will start receiving the Z4 sDrive28i, the first four-cylinder BMW to reach the United States in some time.
With automakers under pressure to meet 2016′s required 35.5 mpg average for fleet fuel economy, many are switching to smaller-displacement engines. For BMW, the challenge lies in delivering fuel economy while maintaining its reputation as a driver’s car. An anemic, underpowered engine simply will not do, so BMW fitted a two-liter, four-cylinder engine with a turbocharger. The results are impressive.
“BMW has made significant gains in fuel economy by reducing engine displacement and adding turbochargers to their engines,” said Michael Trontz, general manager of New York BMW dealer Wide World BMW. “In a climate of rising fuel prices, higher fuel efficiency is good news, but it’s also a tough sell for BMW buyers. There’s a perception in the market that a four-cylinder engine lacks the power that BMW owners crave. This engine will prove that perception wrong.”
The new two-liter engine produces 240 horsepower, which is only 15 horsepower less than the three-liter engine it replaces. Thanks to its turbocharger, the new engine shifts performance-critical torque to the low end, producing 260 pound-feet of torque at 1,250 rpm, 30 percent more than the current six-cylinder. Maximum horsepower is achieved at 5,000 rpm rather than the 6,000 rpm of the outgoing engine. For BMW drivers, this means stronger performance from a stop and at low speeds, which is where most New York BMW owners spend a majority of their time on the road.
BMW claims fuel efficiency gains of approximately 20 percent over the old engine when paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, estimating performance at 22 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. The outgoing six-cylinder earned an EPA-estimated 18 mpg city and 28 city mpg highway.
Other models that have benefited from BMW’s turbocharging technology are the BMW 535i, 135i, 335i, 335is and X3 xDrive35i SUV. All five models are powered by BMW’s three-liter twin-turbo engine, which generates 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. The turbo-powered sedans can earn at least 28 mpg on the highway, depending on transmission type, while the X3 SUV earns 26 mpg.
BMW’s fuel-saving technology goes beyond their gasoline- and diesel-powered cars with the new ActiveE electric car based on the 1 Series coupe. BMW plans to lease about 700 of the 170-horsepower cars, which can travel up to 100 miles on a single charge.
“Turbocharged BMWs preserve all the driving dynamics New York drivers expect, and their improved fuel economy means more time on the road and less time at gas stations,” Trontz said. “BMW recognizes the importance of the new U.S. fuel consumption standards and is committed to meeting them, but they’ll do it in a way that doesn’t compromise what people love about these cars.”
About Wide World BMW:
Wide World BMW is a premier New York BMW dealer. Whether their customers are buying a new BMW 3 Series or a certified pre-owned BMW X5, they believe in building a relationship that extends beyond their dealership. Their state-of-the-art BMW service department keeps BMWs running like new, while their BMW-certified collision repair center can make any accident a distant memory. Part of the New Country Motor Car Group family of dealerships, Wide World BMW is located at 125 E Rt. 59 in Spring Valley, New York. Their wide inventory of new and used BMW models can be found at www.wideworldofcarsbmw.com, and they can be reached by phone at 877-817-3953.
Media Contact:
Robert Maizner, of New Country Motor Car Group, 518-584-7700
