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As demand for V12, V10 and V8 engines dies down, BMW will be shifting towards smaller and more fuel-efficient engines. According to Manfred Schoch, chairman of BMW’s works council, BMW hasn’t produced its 8-cylinder engine in a three-shift operation in a long time.

Schoch said that 6-cylinder assembly will be phased out in its Munich plant and will be replaced by 4-cylinder engines. By 2011, BMW hopes to produce 320,000 4-cylinder units a year in the programs first phase. In the second phase, BMW will add additional capacity for 240,000 engines a year.

Schoch also said that the works council is planning a development of a pure electric car based on the 1-Series which could be named City Electric Sprinter and could debut as early as 2010.

 

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

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