BMW M cars won't downsize to 3 & 4-cylinder engines
BMW’s future M cars will continue to be powered by either a straight-six or a V8 engine until the performance division decides to transition to an all-electric powertrain.
Frank van Meel, head of BMW M, has confirmed that the performance division will never produce a car powered by a 3 or 4-cylinder engine.
As per media reports, on being asked if the 3.0-litre S58 straight-six would ever be replaced by a high-power output three-cylinder, Meel responded clearly that they are never going to do any three or four-cylinder performance cars, although many other companies are doing it. This was in reference to the recently unveiled 2023 Mercedes-AMG C63S, which is now powered by a 4-cylinder hybrid powertrain, replacing the long-standing V8 engine on the previous iterations.
However, apart from this single statement, Meel didn’t reveal too many details. Reports suggest that BMW’s future M cars will continue to be powered by either a straight-six or a V8 engine until the performance division decides to transition to an all-electric powertrain.
BMW recently unveiled its new-gen M2 offering in the international market. The new 2023 BMW M2 comes with a detuned straight-six S58 engine, which also powers the brand’s M3 and M4 offerings. The in-line 6-cylinder unit on the M2 produces 453 BHP and is mated to either a six-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission.