The BMW M2, the replacement for the 1 Series M Coupé, appears certain to feature a 2.0 litre four cylinder turbo engine, instead of an inline six as found in the current 1M.
The move is likely to have as much to do with marketing and model positioning as anything else. Now that it has been confirmed the next M3 will lose its V8 in favour of an inline six, it makes sense for the junior M2 model to have a smaller engine configuration than the M3.
BMW’s N20 four cylinder appears the most likely candidate to adapt for use in an M2; currently the N20 has a maximum spec of 180kW/350Nm. It begs the question, where will the M2 engine performance sit given it is replacing a model with 250kW/450Nm?
It’s quite possible the M2 will have less power than the 1M, if BMW’s unofficial insider is to be believed. Quoted on the 1Addicts forum Scott26 said the M2, “is known as the ‘Downsized’ M because BMW M are investigating the concept of a completely reworked N20 based four cylinder in terms of the successor to the 1M offering the same recipe as before but with lower weight but still offering the entry to M ownership with the key of precision rather than outright power.”
Assuming the M2 does follow expectations and employ a four-cylinder engine; we wonder, what is the long-term future of the six cylinder M135i?
[Source: 1Addicts]
3 replies on “Four-cylinder turbo destined for BMW 1M replacement”
It would make sense to produce a car that is lighter, more precise but has the same (or similar) power to weight ratio. I currently own the 135i with BMW Performance Kit (240Kw/450Nm) and the damn thing is too powerful in some conditions. The turbo kicks in at higher end together with all the rest of it and you get the power cut off just when you want power.
Kale, sounds like you need to get yourself a high revving NA engine like a M3. I don’t dislike turbo engines, but for me a highly strung High revving NA engine wins everytime on a sports car. The N54/N55 is fine and works really well in a non sports car (I have the N54 in my 740i) but I will take the high rev sharpness of my Spyder and previous GT3 over say the 1M’s massive turbo torque rush at the low end.
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