You can generalize the debate of in-line vs V because it's the same debate regardless of the number of cylinders. The same argument about balance can be addressed toward the S85 V10 (or any V10 for that matter) but as we all know the Vee configuration allows such a large capacity and cylinder count to fit in a relatively small engine bay which wouldn't be possible with any other configuration. My argument is that the Pros for a Vee configuration far outweigh the Cons. You are entitled to your opinion (no matter how wrong it is) but being able to reduce the dimensions of an engine is the biggest plus possible to an engineer. P.S. I notice you changed your wording to state 'recent'. In any case the reason why Ferrari no long build a V6 is that their model and performance line up are beyond what a N/A V6 engine would have been capable of, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if it the future Ferrari return to V6 power, only this time it will be combined with turbos.
No, you are wrong number of cylinders does have a bearing on the V vs I discussion. If not, why is there a zillion I4 engines in use today. If the compactness is of a V is all that mattered like you make it out to be, why didn't all those companies use a V4 instead. Fact is, for street cars, aim is to practically fit a engine into a reasonably size hood, not use the most compact engine possible. An I4 will easily fits in most cars including FWD platforms, which is why there are a zillion of them. An I6 will not fit any FWD cars, but is still reasonably sized to fit in RWD cars. An I8 and onwards, it is too long to practically fit in today's cars, which is why no one even considers them, including BMW.
There 2 perfectly logical reasons why there is next to no V4 engines. 1/ the in-line fits almost all situation, as you rightly pointed out. 2/ cost, since most cars using this type of engine is at the down end of the scale and a Vee will cost more to develop and build. But as you increase the number of cylinders the Pros for going with a Vee formate outweigh the Cons and when you factor in FI, handling/packaging benefits and for a car which will be the thick end of £55k then cost doesn't come into it. But I will repeat what I said earlier, even with an in-line FI 6 the M3 will be brilliant. Only in my opinion it could have been a bit better with a V6.
New Speculation on the F30 M3 / F32 M3 I came across some more speculation on the engine powering the next generation M3, called the F3x M3. In the past, SCOTT has mentioned that the N55 TwinPower inline 6 would be used as the base engine. No firm news yet, but here's some information on what BMW M is working on to turn the N55 into a real M engine. First of all, it's my understanding that BMW M is still considering several engines or rather engine layouts for the next M3, so I can't tell whether this particular engine will actually make it into production, only that this is one possible layout they're looking into: ENGINE / TRANSMISSION: This engine -- let's call it S55 -- underwent heavy modifications to meet the prospective output of 450 HP: - The displacement will be increased from 3.0l to 3.5l. We've had a discussion on this possibility earlier here, and came to the conclusion it wasn't possible based on the N55's cylinder spacing. What we didn't know back then is that BMW wouldn't touch the N55's bore, but implement this increase solely by adding stroke. In other words, crank and heads will be different from the N55. - Furthermore, the S55 will have a new turbo layout. There's no word yet on the exact layout other than it will be aspirated by the help of three turbos. BMW followed a similar approach with the N63 V8 engine on its way to become the S63 engine powering the X5/6 M and soon the M5/6 models. The N63's two individual turbo chargers (each taking care of one bank of the V) were replaced with two twinscroll turbo chargers, and thus the amount of individual scrolls has been doubled. As some have suggested already, this approach can't feasibly be replicated on an inline 6 engine (or any 6 cylinder). There is no easy way to split the exhaust pulses of 6 cylinders into 4 turbo scrolls. Instead, three turbo scrolls were found to be the right solution. Whether that means one additional turbo to the existing twinscroll turbo of the N55 or three individual (single scroll) turbos, or even one tri-scroll turbo remains to be seen. Personally, I'd expect three individual turbos because that would allow for rather small chargers with a low inertia. As of now, it sounds like the next M3 will only be available with a seven speed DCT transmission. No 6MT! Also, as things look now, there will be an F30 M3 sedan complementing the F32 M3 coupe and the F33 M3 convertible again. We brought you the news of the X3 M reaching its mature phase of development last week. Now we can add the first, yet most important, fact about this car: It will basically share the engine with the F3x M3. In other words, BMW would choose the same route as with the X5/6M and let an early version of the S55 engine debut in the X3 M. E90/E92 M3: Finally, here's a heads-up for everybody disdaining BMW M's decision to turn away from high-revving, naturally aspirated, engines: You better be quick to put in your order for an E9x M3. The rumor has it that the E9x M3 ends production in 2011, including the E92 and E93 M3. Best regards, south
Interesting info comming from . by south about the new M3. - N55 based engine - 3.5 L - Tri-turbo (?) - 450 HP - Only 7 Speed DCT - No Sedan, just Coupe and Convert New Speculations on the F30 M3 / F32 M3 - M3 Forum 2011 2010 BMW M3 2009 BMW M3 BMW E90 M3 E92
Please continue discussion here: http://www.germancarforum.com/3-series/33813-2014-bmw-m3-impressions-spyphotos-renderings.html Best regards, south
I was expecting a 3 turbo configuration on the rumored 40i diesel, and now it is rumored for the M3 as well. What can I say... BTW, it's interesting that these rumors kind of confirm the X3 M. Now that would be a great seller against the GLK and Q5
^Ahhh not this again.. Do you guys remember this PS of the current M3 that came along.. A black car near a fence ( like on the backside of a track) and everyone was hoping for that.. And then the real product ended up being so much more tame.. Now that looks so siiiick..but i wont get expectations up this time..
I remember that one. It was simply a 2dr Sedan... Everything which the E92 was not , thankfully... But anyway? Where do we begin? First of all these are not “official” they are using “official” descriptions but executing them incorrectly. Some of the details are correct but are over exaggerated in execution. With the advent of the Concept 6er Coupe I was afraid that the 6er will become the basis for the next 3er Coupe. And in truth , yes the next 3er Coupe becomes like a mini-6er by adding a more premium edge to the traditional sporting image of the 3er Coupe but it is performed differently so that it is recognisable as a “Premium Entry” BMW Coupe. The design direction continues with an appearance that seperates sedan from Coupe like the E92 had done. The seperation has done well for BMW it gives the 3er it’s own identity and that is something that will be carried over. Some details from the 6er will be interpreted on the 3er Coupe in their own way such as headlights mimicing the current car with indicator units located underneath, a swooping diagonal typical BMW characterline that adds more depth to the upper part of the car. A similiar break line in the lower flanks is evident but does not rise as high as the 6er , although the upper lines do not connect with the lower “wave” if you draw a line between them it is nigh on perfect. The rear of the car retains the 3er enclosed bootlid but the rear lights wrap around more with the L-shape of the unit higher up in the bootlid. From the rear wing of the car the rear lights wrap around and shoot diagonally upwards to the lid , it enhances the new sporty character of the new 3er Coupe. The BMW 3er Gran Turismo is not a complete facsimile of the 5er GT . Knowing the 3er segment all too well . BMW have gone for a more traditional mix of coupe and sedan , the roof is lower and the car is more dynamic looking. It is stretched by using the extended wheelbase platform for the F30 3er for the Chinese market , the brief for the 3er GT is individual style , performance and comfort but also for driving enthusiasts. The next M3 is so far ahead that it is too early to confirm what it will look like as the ideas for the appearance are still in development. They have ideas on the raft of engineering and powerplant etc and are working on them currently, but be rest assured the next M3 will not feature LED foglights because as covered before on the foglight matter “we need the space to allow air to cool the brakes” .
The recent ones don't. The E46 did. I would hardly say not having fog lights is an M trademark. And, with the recent 6 Series Cabrio and the thin, LED, horizontal fog lights, there's no reason why M cars can't have fog lights in the future. Not that I think they're important. front fog lights are completely useless and irrelevant.
Exactly, the LED foglight tech car be so slim the engine can have all the cooling it needs... And those vertical LED strips as seen in all these latest CGIs might just be real. I think they look cool at least!
