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Originally Posted by Diver
I find it hard to believe the X5 will get a turbo 4 because the X5 has a Turbo I6 as it's base engine.
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Yes, although we must remember that, before the recent LCI, the X5 did offer the same naturally aspirated N52 that the Z4 30i has today. So it is possible that BMW will reintroduce a sub-300hp gasoline model once this new 4 cyl turbo engine family arrives. However, even if they do I highly doubt such a model will be offered in the US.
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However, replacing all NA I6 engines with a turbo 4 seems very likely.
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I think, with this Z4 news, that has gone from "highly likely" to basically being a forgone conclusion at this point.
The big question that remains is the timing of all of this. Which model will be the first to get the new turbo 4? F20 1 series? Z4? X1? F30 3 series? X3? Or will it be intro'd in many models at the same time?
And for that matter what will be the last naturally aspirated BMW to roll off the assembly line, and when? My guess is that the last one will be either a 528i or M3, at least for US consumption. I kind of hope it is an M3 - it would be particularly symbolic and a fitting (though saddening) end to the era of the naturally aspirated BMW.