Comments on: BMW Working on Their Answer to the Geo Metro?

By: Neil Blanchard

Neil Blanchard — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 11:49:44 +0000

Hi Chad,

Yes, it will probably be (only) a 1.3L 4-cylinder in the US version — but it is a pretty special engine: it is the same physical size as the 1L 3-cylinder, and the cylinders are very small with a long stroke (and an Atkinson cycle?) for lower friction and good torque, and the valves have rollers instead of sliding tappets. And it will have a CVT transmission and Stop and Go tech, too.

Sincerely, Neil

By: Chad

Chad — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 03:39:35 +0000

The Toyota iQ also has a 3 cylinder engine, although it sounds like it won’t be offered in the US Scion iQ version.

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 13 May 2009 03:05:03 +0000

Sounds good to me, less moving parts = more reliable, which is always good. Plus, less cylinders means more torque, which is also good. Probably a lower rev line, but hey, this isn’t a M3.

By: NeilBlanchard

NeilBlanchard — Mon, 11 May 2009 16:29:04 +0000

Hi Ben,

I too rode a BMW K75S (1987) for a little over 80,000 miles.

I wonder if these 3 cylinder engines will be similar to what I saw on GCC:
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2009/05/imore-5stroke-20090507.html

Or possible a heat recovery system?
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2009/05/bmw-rankine-20090503.html

Sincerely, Neil

By: Benjamin Jones

Benjamin Jones — Mon, 11 May 2009 02:36:32 +0000

Wow, that’s a lot of mileage for a bike. I bet that engine would be a lot of fun in some sort of aero-bike. Thanks for the comment!

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 11 May 2009 02:09:11 +0000

BMW had a 3 cylinder bike engine for a number of years. It was a 750 based on the k100 four. Because it had a balance shaft, it was quite smooth. I put about 70,000 miles on one with no problems.