Reducing engine capacity and cylinders is not the answer for future performance cars, according to the boss at BMW M.
BMW won’t use a downsized petrol hybrid powertrain in the next-generation M3, but will instead retain the six-cylinder engine that has been integral to so many of BMW’s vehicles over the decades.
When asked about whether BMW was considering following the trend of downsizing the petrol engine in a quest for better emissions, BMW M CEO Frank Van Meel was emphatic in ruling it out.
“We are going electric, and on the other hand we are going to keep our six-cylinder inline (for the next-generation).” Van Meel told Australian motoring media at a recent roundtable interview.
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This will put future versions of the M3 – and M4, if the petrol coupe is renewed for another generation, which reports suggest won’t – at odds with the Mercedes-AMG C63, which swapped a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 for a four-cylinder turbocharged petrol hybrid powertrain.
Despite the drop in engine capacity, hybrid technology in the C63 AMG gives combined outputs of 500kW/1020Nm.
BMW is taking a different approach to rival Mercedes-Benz for the next generation M3, which are being developed for both electric power and petrol propulsion, but in parallel models rather than a combined petrol/electric powertrain.
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“Because the six-cylinder, like the V8, is a very iconic engine and it fits perfectly to the M3 in terms of weight distribution, power output and dynamics.” Van Meel explained.
“We always look into all kinds of concepts. In regards to downsizing, it’s also about performance output on tracks. And continuous performance output would make it really difficult to downsize to a four-cylinder if you are driving on tracks.”
“And the M3 is used on tracks a lot, so that ruled out the possibility of downsizing.”
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Van Meel also said upcoming Euro 7 emissions laws don’t make things necessarily easier for smaller-capacity petrol engines, and that it was important for BMW M to follow its own path for future powertrain technologies:
“We always look at the competition… and the way that our competitors are finding their own ways.” Van Meel said.
“But actually at the time you look at other cars, you look at something that has been defined more or less five years ago. So you shouldn’t adjust your calls when you’re looking at others. Because when you see what others are doing it’s too late.”
“I’m a Dutch guy, and there is a Dutch saying: if you’re on the sea, you shouldn’t follow the beacons of other ships. You should navigate by looking at stars because it helps you not to crash on the shore.”
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