Tag Archives: fourcylinder

Car review

Lexus LM

The Lexus LM is equipped with a full hybrid powertrain similar to the one found in the NX and RX models. It combines a 2.5-litre four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle petrol engine with two electric motors, resulting in a combined power output of 247bhp and 176lb ft. Although not particularly fast, the LM still offers a decent straight-line performance that resembles a car rather than a van. It can accelerate from 0-62mph in 8.7 seconds (or 9.1 seconds for the FWD version), which is more than adequate for a vehicle of its size.

Despite its substantial size, the LM is surprisingly maneuverable. It features a large glasshouse and HGV-like mirrors that provide excellent visibility from all angles. Additionally, it comes with a range of parking aids and a tight 11.6-meter turning circle, which makes navigating tight spaces like airport VIP drop-off ramps or the Savoy Hotel circle less challenging.

One drawback of the LM is its CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). While the CVT helps minimize body roll and provides a smooth acceleration experience, it produces an unimpressive sound during uphill acceleration or overtaking maneuvers, which detracts from the luxurious feel of the vehicle. The LM is a heavy vehicle, weighing almost three tonnes, and the engine’s strain is evident in the cabin when under load.

However, at lower speeds in urban areas, the LM switches seamlessly between its electric motor and petrol engine to maximize efficiency and comfort. It also features an impressive low-speed EV mode, allowing it to achieve nearly 40mpg on the WLTP combined test cycle. This is a remarkable feat considering its imposing size and suboptimal aerodynamics.

In conclusion, the Lexus LM offers an appealing combination of features, even though it may seem unconventional for a luxury car. While some may associate luxury motoring with large saloons and SUVs, the LM stands out as a credible and innovative alternative. It can rival models like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the Bentley Bentayga, especially when it comes to rear-passenger comfort and enjoyment.

Featured

The Lotus Emira: The Most Powerful Four-Cylinder Sports Car Yet

The Lotus Emira is the latest addition to the Lotus family and it’s already making waves worldwide. This four-cylinder sports car is the most powerful of its kind in Lotus’s history, solidifying the brand’s position in the sports car arena. It sets a new benchmark for nimble and agile four-cylinder sports cars, although it’s worth mentioning that the Emira will be Lotus’s last gasoline-powered car before transitioning to electric vehicles. At the core of the Emira is a cutting-edge 360 bhp mid-mounted engine, making it the most robust four-cylinder sports car ever created by Lotus. It’s paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) for seamless, swift gear shifts. Drivers have the freedom to choose between manual control for a raw driving experience or the convenience of automatic gear changes.

The Emira not only promises performance, but it also delivers it. With a stunning 0-60 mph acceleration of under 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 180 mph, it’s truly impressive. The Emira is equipped with advanced features like a twin-scroll turbocharger, a combined direct and port fuel injection system, and a variable valvetrain, offering a blend of power, responsiveness, and efficiency that’s unparalleled. Designed to pay homage to Lotus’s rich heritage, the Emira echoes the legacy of iconic models such as the Elise, Esprit, Europa, Elan, and Elite, making it the pinnacle of four-cylinder Lotus cars in terms of power.

Mike Johnstone, Group Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer at Lotus, reflects on the Emira’s success and the excitement surrounding this new addition. He says, “The Emira V6 has already proved incredibly successful, with many thousands of orders received from around the world. Now, with the four-cylinder Emira joining the range, we’re adding a new dimension to the car’s breadth of capability and appeal.”

The Emira’s engine is designed for high-performance applications and incorporates advanced technologies developed by Lotus. Along with the new intake and exhaust systems, the Emira features a unique in-house calibration, ensuring a remarkable balance of power, torque, and efficiency across its operating range. The Emira is built at the Chapman Production Centre (CPC) located in Hethel, UK, highlighting Lotus’s continued investment in its UK facilities. Customers in the UK can even choose to collect their Emira from Hethel, offering an exclusive opportunity to tour the CPC assembly halls where their car was made.

The new four-cylinder Emira is not just a car; it represents Lotus’s commitment to pioneering automotive excellence. Being the last gasoline-powered model that Lotus will offer, both the four-cylinder Emira and its V6-powered counterpart are sure to leave automotive enthusiasts around the world wanting more.

View All Lotus Emiras For Sale

News

Lotus Emira with Four-Cylinder Engine to Debut at Goodwood

Lotus has confirmed that the entry-level variant of the Lotus Emira will be unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. This model will feature a turbocharged M139 engine sourced from Mercedes-AMG, which is known as the world’s most powerful four-cylinder engine. The same engine is used in other AMG models such as the A45, C63 S E Performance, and SL 43.

However, the engine has undergone “fundamental changes” for the Emira, including a new intake and exhaust system. This results in a slight reduction in power output, with the Emira producing 360bhp and 317lb ft of torque compared to the 382bhp and 354lb ft found in the entry-level AMG cars.

The Emira with the AMG engine will come equipped with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox as standard. In the First Edition trim, it will be priced at £77,795, making it £4200 cheaper than the version fitted with the supercharged Toyota V6 engine.

The Toyota V6 engine, previously used in the Lotus Evora and Lotus Exige, produces 400bhp and 310lb ft of torque. The notable difference is that it can be paired with a manual gearbox, which the AMG engine does not offer.

Deliveries of the four-cylinder Emira are expected to start in autumn, with a more affordable trim level set to be released before the end of the year. However, it is worth noting that the actual cost of this trim level is expected to exceed its originally pitched price of £59,995.

The Emira will mark Lotus’s final combustion-engined series-production sports car, as the brand plans to transition to battery-electric powertrains for all its new models. Lotus will be working closely with Geely, its parent company, to introduce a range of electric vehicles in the coming years. This includes a saloon based on the Eletre in 2024 and a high-volume rival to the Porsche Macan EV by 2028, aiming for around 75,000 sales annually.

While the new electric models will be engineered at Lotus’s factory in Wuhan, China, the production of pure sports cars like the Emira, Evora, and Elise will continue to take place in Hethel, Norfolk.

BMW

The all-new BMW X1 M35i xDrive

The all-new BMW X1 M35i - Highlights (06/2023).

The all-new BMW X1 M35i - Highlights (06/2023).

Powertrain and driving experience. Most powerful four-cylinder unit from the latest generation of engines, M-specific chassis technology,
BMW xDrive.

A new performance model, the BMW X1 M35i xDrive, has been introduced at the top of the BMW X1 range. This model combines the excitement of the compact Sports Activity Vehicle concept with the dynamism, agility, and precision that M models are known for. Its four-cylinder engine is part of the latest modular generation of BMW Group Efficient Dynamics engines, using M TwinPower Turbo technology to deliver maximum output of 221 kW/300 hp in Europe and even higher figures in the USA and selected markets. The BMW X1 M35i xDrive can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.4 seconds and has a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). It features M-specific chassis technology and BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive, offering exceptional performance and handling. The design of the new BMW X1 M35i xDrive is also sportier, with exclusive features and options typically reserved for high-performance BMW M models. The car will be available in the USA starting from October 2023 and in Europe from November 2023.

New four-cylinder engine with extra power.

The new BMW X1 M35i xDrive is equipped with the most potent version of the four-cylinder petrol engine from the latest generation of modular engines. This engine delivers impressive power and performance, thanks to various innovations including the adoption of the Miller cycle, redesigned intake ports and combustion chambers, and changes to the camshaft timing, injection, ignition system, and exhaust gas routing. The engine features M TwinPower Turbo technology, with increased performance in the turbocharging system and indirect charge air cooling, as well as dual injection for mixture preparation. It generates maximum output between 5,750 and 6,500 rpm and peak torque of 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) from 2,000 up to 4,500 rpm.

Seven-speed Steptronic transmission with double clutch and M Sport Boost.

The BMW X1 M35i xDrive is equipped with a seven-speed Steptronic transmission, known for its sharp shift action. The transmission allows for quick manual interventions with shift paddles on the steering wheel. The car also features the M Sport Boost function, which activates the sportiest settings for powertrain and chassis systems when the driver pulls on the left-hand shift paddle for at least one second.

Supreme traction and agility: BMW xDrive all-wheel drive, mechanical limited-slip differential at the front axle.

The BMW X1 M35i xDrive comes with BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system, which distributes drive power between the front and rear wheels as needed. The system is interlinked with the chassis control technology, providing excellent traction, directional stability, and sporting prowess. The car is also equipped with a mechanical limited-slip differential at the front axle, which limits the difference in speed between the front wheels, increasing traction and handling dynamics.

Adaptive M suspension and sport steering as standard.

The BMW X1 M35i xDrive features adaptive M suspension as standard, which improves agility and long-distance comfort. The suspension has mechanically controlled adjustable and frequency-selective dampers, offering comfortable response on bumpy roads and sporty characteristics during dynamic driving. The car also comes with sport steering, combining speed-sensitive power assistance with a direct rack ratio.

Integrated braking system with the option of M Compound brakes.

The BMW X1 M35i xDrive is equipped with an integrated braking system that ensures precise stopping power and excellent feedback through the brake pedal. The system combines brake activation, brake booster, and braking control functions into a compact module, with an electric actuator triggering the required brake pressure. The car can also be equipped with the optional M Compound brakes, featuring four-piston, fixed-caliper brakes at the front and single-piston, floating-caliper units at the rear. The M Compound brakes provide comfortable braking, superior feel, stable stopping power, and reduced weight compared to conventional braking systems.

Near-actuator wheel slip limitation for sharper agility.

The BMW X1 M35i xDrive utilizes near-actuator wheel slip limitation technology to enhance its handling and agility. This technology integrates the traction control function into the engine management system, allowing for faster and more precise corrective inputs. It ensures optimum traction, straight-line stability under acceleration, and excellent directional stability during cornering, even on slippery roads.

19-inch M light-alloy wheels as standard.

The BMW X1 M35i xDrive comes with 19-inch M light-alloy wheels in a twin-spoke design, enhancing its dynamic handling potential. The standard tires are 20 millimeters wider than the outgoing model, further improving performance. 20-inch M light-alloy wheels in an exclusive twin-spoke design are also available as an option.

Design and equipment. An exclusive window into signature M performance.

The design of the BMW X1 M35i xDrive reflects its sporty character. It features M-specific design cues that emphasize its elite sporting pedigree. The interior of the car has a sporty ambiance, which can be enhanced further with options such as M Sport seats. The BMW X1 M35i xDrive also offers the latest digital technology, including the BMW iDrive with QuickSelect and BMW Operating System 9. The car stands out with its standalone design and M-specific details, such as the M kidney grille with horizontal double bars, M exterior mirror caps, and four exhaust tailpipes. The cockpit design is M-specific, featuring an Alcantara-covered instrument panel, Aluminum Hexacube Dark interior trim elements, an M leather steering wheel, and other M-specific graphics and features on the BMW Curved Display.

Sophisticated options enable precise individualization.

The BMW X1 M35i xDrive can be personalized with a range of options and packages. The M Sport package Pro adds M high-gloss Shadowline exterior trim, M lights Shadowline, M Sport braking system, M Sport seats, and M seat belts. The car comes with standard equipment such as two-zone automatic climate control, BMW Live Cockpit Plus with navigation, an automatic tailgate, a rain sensor with automatic headlight activation, and USB-C ports. Additional options include ambient lighting, a panoramic glass roof, and the Harman Kardon sound system. The car also offers a wide array of cutting-edge systems for automated driving and parking, as well as a range of digital services and connectivity features.

Display and control/operation system, connectivity. Updated BMW iDrive with QuickSelect and BMW Operating System 9.

The BMW X1 M35i xDrive features the updated version of the control/operation system BMW iDrive with QuickSelect and BMW Operating System 9. The new BMW iDrive offers a redesigned home screen and QuickSelect functionality for more intuitive and comfortable operation of functions and digital services. It works in conjunction with the BMW Curved Display and BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, providing touchscreen operation and natural language control. The system offers a broad range of digital content, shorter function update cycles, and improved access to online services. It also enables customization and expansion of digital services through the BMW ConnectedDrive Store. The car comes with standard features such as BMW Maps navigation system and BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, with additional digital services available as options.