The next 1 (128, 135) and 3 Series vehicles from BMW, and the Z2 roadster, are thought to be getting a different set of turbocharged three and four-cylinder gas engines coinciding with BMW’s push to reduce emissions and fuel consumption levels. Of the five powerplants said to be in development, three are 1.35-liter three-cylinder engines producing between 163 hp and 241 horsepower, with the two 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engines producing 273 hp and 321 hp, respectively. Sky Motoring says that the four-pots will be reserved for “more upmarket models.”

While a 3-Series with a 3-cylinder engine has a defined poetry, it does leaves room for something to think about. If Sky Motoring’s numbers are correct, however, the top end 1.35-liter motor would put out 11 more horsepower than the current 3.0-liter in the 328i. That’s a great deal of power for such small displacement, and with brand perception issues in the U.S., who knows if we would even get the engines – after all, we don’t get any of Mercedes’ CGI mills. From where we sit, though, the smaller, lighter engine with its commensurately fewer moving parts could also help bring the sticker price of the 1-Series down; one of the major factors that has prevented it from gaining traction in stateside showrooms.

In any given situation, the next BMW engines are thought to be at least 2 years away from us, so look forward to getting more definite information in the future.

[Source: AutoBlog.com]