New BMW 218i Coupe to offer new 3-cylinder gasoline engine

12 December 2014

New BMW 3-cylinder turbo gasoline engine for the 218i. Click to enlarge.

With the market launch of the new BMW 218i Coupe, BMW will offer a new a three-cylinder gasoline engine from the BMW Group’s latest engine family (earlier post) for the first time in the compact model. With a displacement of 1.5 liters, the newly developed power unit delivers a maximum output of 100 kW/136 hp and a maximum torque of 220 N·m (162 lb-ft) available at 1,250 rpm.

The car’s BMW TwinPower Turbo technology comprises a supercharger that is integrated into the exhaust manifold; a further developed gasoline direct injection system; the latest version of the variable valve control system VALVETRONIC; and Double VANOS variable camshaft control. The new power unit is conventionally positioned lengthwise in the engine compartment under the hood. Its low weight benefits the well-balanced load distribution of almost 50:50 between the front and rear axle.

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BMW 2 Series Coupe. Click to enlarge.

The new BMW 218i Coupe accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 8.8 seconds (automatic: 8.9 seconds). Top speed is 212 km/h (132 mph) in each case. In terms of vibration behaviour, the engine shows parallels to BMW’s straight six-cylinder power unit and features a forged steel roller-bearing supported balancer shaft in order to reduce vibration.

A further developed transmission also contributes towards the efficiency of the new model variants. Equipped with the standard 6-speed manual transmission, the new BMW 218i Coupe has an average fuel consumption of 5.6 to 5.1 liters per 100 km (42 to 46 mpg US), with CO₂ emission levels of 130 to 118 grams per km.

In conjunction with the 8-speed Steptronic transmission, the corresponding figures are between 5.5 and 5.1 liters (43 to 46 mpg US) and 129 and 118 grams respectively (figures as per EU test cycle, depending on selected tire size).

Starting in the spring of 2015, there will be a choice of four gasoline and three diesel engines, including the new entry-level power unit. The new engine family also includes the 2-liter four-cylinder diesel power unit with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology featured in the BMW 220d Coupe. From March 2015, the system BMW xDrive will be available for this model as an alternative to rear-wheel drive.

The 140 kW/190 hp four-wheel drive model accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 6.8 seconds. Average fuel consumption is between 4.7 and 4.3 liters per 100 km (50 to 55 mpg US) and CO₂ emissions are between 124 and 113 grams per km (figures as per EU test cycle, depending on selected tire size).