MUNICH, Germany -- BMW AG will offer turbocharged gasoline-powered engines in its main car models in the next few years.

The aim is to bridge the power gap between BMW's top-of-the-line models and its high-powered M versions, which will stay normally aspirated.

BMW's M5, to be introduced this year, has a 500-hp V10 engine. The normal 5-Series models have six- and eight-cylinder engines that produce as much as 333 hp.

The next 3 Series range will get six-cylinder engines. The next M3 will have a V8 that is much more powerful than the 343-hp six-cylinder in the current M3.

"This leaves a significant power gap that can be filled by the turbocharged engines," a BMW source says, adding that the turbo engines will be based on direct-injection gasoline-powered engines.

Some of the turbocharged models will come with automatic transmissions, increasing their appeal in the United States. The M models only come with manual transmissions. The United States was BMW's top market in 2003.

The turbocharged models will not have the extensive body and chassis modifications of the M models.

BMW has a history of making turbocharged cars. The 170-hp 2002 Turbo was introduced in 1973. In 1980, BMW introduced the 745i, a 252-hp turbocharged six-cylinder car that topped off the 7 Series lineup. Its successor was the 750i, which was powered by a 5.0-liter V-12. The turbo version of the 745i sold 16,031 units worldwide from 1980 to 1986.

YOU’RE LOOKING AT THE car BMW hopes will place it on the premium small-car road map alongside some of Europe’s biggest sellers: the all-new 1 Series.

Conceived to not infringe on BMW-owned Mini, the baby BMW five-door hatchback goes on sale across Europe shortly after its public debut at the Paris motor show in September. BMW is also planning three-door hatchback and five-door wagon versions.

None of those models are U.S. bound. The earliest we’ll see a 1 Series variant is 2006, and that car will be a coupe likely wearing the 2 Series badge in keeping with BMW’s even-number naming strategy for two-door models (Z4, 6 Series). The car’s entrance into the U.S. market awaits development of coupe and convertible models, because BMW doubts whether a hatchback will sell in the States. BMW is also concerned that a strong euro against the dollar could drive the price of the 1 Series (see page 8) out of its intended price segment.

Pitched as BMW’s cheapest model, one rung below the 3 Series, the 1 Series will compete with the Volkswagen Golf and the coming Audi A3 (AW, March 22). The new car’s biggest draw may well be its rear-wheel-drive layout, which BMW’s research and development guru Burkhard Goeschel claims provides the 1 Series with the sportiest handling traits and greatest agility in a class loaded with front-drive cars.

Designed by American Chris Chapman, the 1 Series adheres closely to the CS1 concept car shown at the 2002 Geneva motor show with striking convex and concave surfaces.

The 1 Series shares up to 40 percent of its components with next year’s all-new 3 Series. While the European market gets a mix of gasoline and diesel four-cylinder engines, BMW’s all-new 180-hp, 2.2-liter inline six—that will first appear on the next-generation 3 Series due by this time next year—is the likely candidate for the U.S. model, AutoWeek has learned. The engine will be mated to a six-speed automat-ic or manual gearbox, but a sequential manual gearbox may also be an option with the six-cylinder engine in the States.

Originally posted by domn
....The new 1

Originally posted by need4spd
Domn,

where did you get that? I find that unlikely, but you never know.

The new 1er was announced today, and those are normally asperated in the write up -

Originally posted by need4spd
Clutch, I agree, I like the Mini much better, not that I would buy one, but it is much better than the 1. The 1 has too many lines, even absent of the bangle butt it still has too many lines.

Originally posted by TinkySD
That car is definitely a tarted up econo box

Originally posted by TinkySD
That car is definitely a tarted up econo box

Originally posted by TinkySD
That car is definitely a tarted up econo box

Originally posted by gilboman
i want one of those ecnono boxes with RWD I6 for cheap:P

Originally posted by biker
If you look at the current line up, history and what BMWNA has been saying, the US won't get any of the above. BWMNA has said (and it's been the case for some time) that there will be no BMW sold in the US with anything smaller than a 6 cyl engine (Mini doesn't count - seperate brand). Assuming that the 3L engine will fit in the 1 series sedan then maybe you might see that.