BMW plans, according to Jim O'Donnell, BMW of North America CEO, to bring the respective engines stateside by no later than 2015. The first step will be taken with the addition of a four-cylinder engine for the next generation 3 Series, already equipped with such engines for the European market. The new unit is planned to be released by spring 2012, Autonews reported.
BMW will continue with the addition of four-cylinder units for the X1 and X3, as well as for the future 1 Series. The European version of the X1, for instance, already has a four-cylinder, twin-turbo diesel engine.
As for the planned sales target for the future engine-line-up, the sky is the limit. “We see potentially a significant market that could get to 100,000 four-cylinder engines in the United States," O'Donell told the source.
The new plans come as a result of the implementation of the country's new national tailpipe emissions standards and mileage requirements. All manufacturers must comply with a fleet-wide average of 35.5 miles per gallon (6.6l/100 km) by no later than 2016, with an average of 5 percent each year.
In terms of costs, this will mean an extra $1,300 spent for every vehicle built, amounting to in between $13 billion and $20 billion, according to the total numbers of vehicles sold today. That amount is $600 more than in the previous planned fuel efficiency increase.
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