Four-cylinder Z4 coming

BMW is set to launch the Z4 sDrive28i later this year. Unlike the rest of the variants in the current Z4 line-up, which all have six-cylinder engines, this new addition gets a two litre, four-cylinder unit.

But the loss of a couple of cylinders doesn’t mean it’s going to be an underpowered entry-level model because, thanks to twin turbochargers, the sDrive28i will have 236 bhp (176 kW / 240 PS).

BMW Z4 (2011) Front Side

That’s still quite a bit down on the 254 bhp (190 kW / 258 PS) of the existing sDrive30i, which features a normally aspirated 2,996 cc in-line six. However, BMW is claiming that the sDrive28i will actually be quicker due to its extra torque.

Critically, it’ll also have better fuel consumption and pump out less CO2 (although no figures have been released yet). And, in the end, that increased efficiency is why BMW is introducing the new motor.

Purists might not be too keen on the idea that such a move could signal the beginning of the end for BMW’s six-cylinder engines, but the reality is that most Z4 buyers probably won’t even notice or care.

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