It's an interesting manufacturing concept supposedly meant to lower costs, etc. Someone please tell me if I'm reading and/or interpreting this incorrectly. If you make all engines with 500cc cylinders you can have a 1.5L 3cyl, a 2.0L 4cyl, a 2.5L 5cyl, a 3.0L 6cyl. And if the anti-8 cylinder trend continues that's probably it, so potentially four basic block configurations for a full range of cars, and in BMW's case for two ranges (including MINI).
The 2013 M3 has an option for the 4.0L V-8 based on this config. with no turbo's. 400+ HP. It looks awesome too.
720 / 7 = 102.85714285714285714285714285714* per combustion cycle I don't like that math. However, a 4.5L 9 cyl would equal exactly 80*! :cornut:
You are correct. I would LOVE to see a v6 MINI though, Let's be honest the JCW is only a little over 200hp, even though the MINI has one of the best power to weight ratios for a production car I would like to see a v6. Please no hate :fingerscrossed:
BMW has made many wonderful silky smooth inline sixes over the years. Can't see a reason for them to build a V6. The trend is 4 cylinder & now 3 cylinder engines for BMWs. They are reducing cylinders not growing them.
Like I said I would love it if they did,never said they would. Just saying I would like to see more power out of a stock MINI.
If these numbers are correct... ...then the math required to estimate the possibilities is pretty simple. It doesn't say the upper end of those ranges is with a turbo but let's assume it is. It also says the S will get 4 cylinders. So, minimum of 120 bhp and 132 ft/lb for an NA 3cyl and max of 264 bhp and 264 ft/lb for a turbo 4cyl. Their per cylinder numbers probably don't really show the true upper limits they'll be able to achieve with tuning, different (or more?) turbos, etc. If so, assume further bumps up for top of the line models...like maybe bump those 4cyl numbers for JCW? What will 5 or 6 cylinders make? Or 8? Do the simple math.
For some reason I thought they meant the S will still get the current 1.6L 4 cyl -- a 2.0L 4 cyl would be a big step up...fuel economy would probably suffer some.
A 2.0L 4 cyl, with more torque, could be geared differently for fuel economy. This approach with the 3 & 4 cylinder engines in the MINI, let's them sell a product aimed at the high mileage crowd and a performance engine to the weekend track rat.
Regardless of how many people say BMW is taking MINI in the wrong direction I am always going to be a MINI enthusiast.