BMW Four Cylinder Engine Coming to the US

It's now nearly 11 years since German manufacturer BMW had a four cylinder engine on offering in the US, but that will change this year, as the push for more fuel efficient models has prompted BMW into taking action.

Confirming the rumors which have been around for quite some time now, the German auto maker announced on Friday that, starting later this year, the American market will get to experience twin-scroll turbocharging and high-pressure direct-injection coming from a four cylinder unit.

The engine is a 2.0l unit, which is capable of developing 240 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. That is, for you number lovers, even more than the normally aspirated 3.0l inline six: 30 percent more, to be precise.

The engine is also lighter and more compact than a six-cylinder, thanks to the fact that it uses an all-aluminum crankcase. The BMW VALVETRONIC system is used to control the combustion air mass inside the engine, making the unit much more responsive to the desires of the driver.

There is currently no official information regarding the models to get the engine transplant, but the word in the industry is that, given the unit's capabilities, more than one of BMW's Series would get it, including the 1 Series, the 3 Series and the smallest X in the lineup, the X1.

“US-specific model and timing information will follow at a later date, but this new chapter in the story of BMW EfficientDynamics will arrive later this year,” the German car maker says in the statement announcing the novelty.