The last time BMW sold a four cylinder model in the U.S. was in 1999 when it sold the 318ti, but to help reach the new fuel economy regulations in the U.S., BMW plans to bring back its four cylinder engines. Under new U.S. rules adopted in May, known as the revised CAFE standards, automakers’ fleet of cars must meet 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016. In 2008, BMW’s American fleet averaged 26.5 mpg, significantly below its European average which already meets the 35.5 mpg limit due to its heavy diesel sales. Roughly 66% of BMWs sold in Europe are diesels.

BMW’s vice president of engineering in the U.S., Tim Bologa, claims that the biggest challenge in the states will be “maintaining the ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’ motto.” In the U.S., BMWs are marketed as high performance cars, where the smallest engine currently sold is a 3 liter inline-six in the 1 and 3 series. Here at Accel Times, we don’t believe there is much of a downside to adding smaller, more fuel efficient options to the current lineup. BMW’s four cylinder options aren’t like the underpowered four-pot engines sold 10 years ago. For example, a four cylinder BMW diesel engine that produces 204 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque recently won Europe’s Engine of the Year in 2008. The 123d with this engine can hit 60 mph in about 7 seconds and averages nearly 45mpg on Europe’s combined cycle test. When gas prices peaked above $4 a gallon last summer, many consumers wondered why that engine wasn’t an option in the states.

Even with these advanced engines, BMW has yet to confirm plans in the U.S. for more diesels on top of the 335d sedan and the diesel X5 already sold stateside, and doesn’t plan on using the diesels as a significant factor in reaching the 35.5 mpg minimum in 2016. Some could say BMW has been going at it all wrong in the U.S., by marketing diesels as high performance and selling only top-of-the-line high powered diesels instead of the fuel efficient versions. To meet the U.S. CAFE standards, BMW is instead choosing to offer four cylinder gasoline engines. Expect to see gasoline powered four cylinder engines on the 1 and 3 series. If these engines are well received, a four cylinder option on the 5 series is also a possibility. High mileage diesel options in the U.S. will depend on America’s appetite for diesels in the near future. We're keeping our fingers crossed for the 320d Efficient Dynamics Edition.

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