Photo: BMW
The M3 was an invention of the Motorsport division, back in the 1980s. At first, the reasons behind making such a car were completely different than what we’re seeing on the road today. The first M3, the E30, was built in a road-legal version, just so that it could race in the DTM and other various motorsport events.
Back then, it was viewed more as a spicy alternative to the normal car, not as a legend. Of course, reaching that status took a couple of years but, in the end, that goal was achieved and now, 30 years later, the M3 Coupe model is replaced by the M4.
You might be wondering what that has to do with the 4-cylinder engine rumors and BMW’s future plans. Well, the original M3 had a 4-cylinder engine under the bonnet, codenamed S14.
That engine was and is still regarded as one of the best in the Bavarians’ history. It sounded good, worked flawlessly and revved up to over 7,000 RPM, which might not be a terrible lot by today’s standards, but it was extreme back in the day.
Over the years, it evolved from a pure 2-liter 192 HP, 210 Nm (155 lb-ft) of torque athlete into a 2.5-liter, 238 HP and 240 Nm (177 lb-ft) of torque monster by the time it went out of production, used on the EVO3 E30 M3 model.
The 4-cylinder architecture could also make a comeback in the future, a theory that wasn’t countered by BMW M Division’s Head of Product Management, Carsten Pries in an interview for Australia’s Motoring.
“We do not start our design process with a power output in mind. We have a set of characteristics that a new model must meet. For sure, you could see a future [M3] powered by a four-cylinder engine,” Pries said when asked about a further downsize in the future.
“If we have a car with less mass, it is foreseeable that the [performance] targets we set could be reached with a four [cylinder],” he added.
People have been complaining about the downsizing trend for quite a while now and, most reviewers said that there is a noticeable difference felt when driving the new M3 and M4 cars due to the lack of two cylinders and the forced induction.
While the outgoing S65 4-liter V8 engine was naturally aspirated and had a razor-sharp pedal response, the current S55 unit uses two turbochargers and, even though turbo lag is barely noticeable, it’s still present and you can feel it. Not to mention the different sound it makes.
All die-hard fans can start complaining from now on, that the M brand is dead and that only bad things are to come in the foreseeable future. However, we only have to take a look back and realize that all that matters is the power to weight ratio.
The E30 was an extremely light car that weighed slightly more than a ton. 250 HP (on the EVO3 model) were plenty to make it a more than enjoyable ride that would forever stick to the back of your brain.
If the upcoming M3 and M4 models will reach a similar weight, a 2-liter, turbocharged unit could prove to be enough to produce better numbers, at least on paper. As for the excitement on track, it all depends on the chassis. Previous experiences tell us that the Motorsport division will find a way to still entertain us, even after ‘big’ 3-liter engines will go away.
You might be wondering what that has to do with the 4-cylinder engine rumors and BMW’s future plans. Well, the original M3 had a 4-cylinder engine under the bonnet, codenamed S14.
That engine was and is still regarded as one of the best in the Bavarians’ history. It sounded good, worked flawlessly and revved up to over 7,000 RPM, which might not be a terrible lot by today’s standards, but it was extreme back in the day.
Over the years, it evolved from a pure 2-liter 192 HP, 210 Nm (155 lb-ft) of torque athlete into a 2.5-liter, 238 HP and 240 Nm (177 lb-ft) of torque monster by the time it went out of production, used on the EVO3 E30 M3 model.
The 4-cylinder architecture could also make a comeback in the future, a theory that wasn’t countered by BMW M Division’s Head of Product Management, Carsten Pries in an interview for Australia’s Motoring.
“We do not start our design process with a power output in mind. We have a set of characteristics that a new model must meet. For sure, you could see a future [M3] powered by a four-cylinder engine,” Pries said when asked about a further downsize in the future.
“If we have a car with less mass, it is foreseeable that the [performance] targets we set could be reached with a four [cylinder],” he added.
People have been complaining about the downsizing trend for quite a while now and, most reviewers said that there is a noticeable difference felt when driving the new M3 and M4 cars due to the lack of two cylinders and the forced induction.
While the outgoing S65 4-liter V8 engine was naturally aspirated and had a razor-sharp pedal response, the current S55 unit uses two turbochargers and, even though turbo lag is barely noticeable, it’s still present and you can feel it. Not to mention the different sound it makes.
All die-hard fans can start complaining from now on, that the M brand is dead and that only bad things are to come in the foreseeable future. However, we only have to take a look back and realize that all that matters is the power to weight ratio.
The E30 was an extremely light car that weighed slightly more than a ton. 250 HP (on the EVO3 model) were plenty to make it a more than enjoyable ride that would forever stick to the back of your brain.
If the upcoming M3 and M4 models will reach a similar weight, a 2-liter, turbocharged unit could prove to be enough to produce better numbers, at least on paper. As for the excitement on track, it all depends on the chassis. Previous experiences tell us that the Motorsport division will find a way to still entertain us, even after ‘big’ 3-liter engines will go away.
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