BMW engineer confirms 4-cylinder engines being considered for the U.S.

BMW, the world’s largest luxury automaker, is planning on bringing back 4-cylinder engines to meet tougher U.S. fuel-economy regulations. According to Tom Baloga, BMW’s vice president of engineering for the United States, BMW is looking to boost fuel-efficiency of its cars without jeopardizing the company’s reputation for performance.

BMW hasn’t offered 4-cylinder choices in the U.S. since 1999.

“The biggest challenge will be maintaining the “˜Ultimate Driving Machine’ performance,” he said in an interview with Bloomberg.

Baloga said that BMW’s fleet fuel-economy average in 2008 was 26.5 mpg. Automakers must average a fuel-economy of 35.5 mpg by 2016 under U.S. regulations adopted in May. Outside of the United States, BMW offers 4-cylinder options on the 1-Series, 3-Series, the X3 and the 5-Series.

– By: Omar Rana

Source: Bloomberg