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Technology from motorsport will be used to give BMW performance engines a lifeline, and a path through the next wave of tough European emissions regulations.
BMW has revealed clever F1-style engine technology to keep its inline six-cylinder M2, M3, and M4 performance cars alive towards the end of this decade.
From the middle of this year, BMW will begin production of a new pre-chamber ignition system, known as BMW M Ignite, which is intended to help its 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline-six engine meet Euro 7 emissions standards in effect in Europe from November 2026.
Initially patented by the brand in 2024 for motorsport use, the system is aimed to reduce fuel consumption, especially under high load, as well as trim emissions.
The engine will operate as normal at low and medium engine speeds.
However, as the engine reaches higher RPM under greater load, a newly-integrated pre-chamber ignition system takes control, where part of the air-fuel mixture destined for the cylinders is diverted and ignited, before being routed back into the main combustion chamber.
BMW claims the system increases the combustion rate and cuts down on 'knock', where the fuel undergoes uncontrolled self-ignition, accompanied by a noise that justifies its name.
Knock can be caused by other factors, including the use of low-octane fuel, such as regular unleaded in a car designed for premium, or incorrect ignition timing or worn internal engine components.
Pre-chamber combustion technology has been used in road cars from other brands, including Maserati, as well as current V6 turbo hybrid F1 cars.
The German car giant also touts lower exhaust gas temperatures as part of the system, reducing tailpipe emissions and reducing thermal stress on the engine and other exhaust components.
BMW's straight-six petrol engines are due to receive upgrades alongside the added pre-chamber ignition system, such as a higher compression ratio, and new turbochargers with variable turbine geometry.
Despite the emissions-focused changes, the engine's outputs will remain unchanged, at 338kW and 550Nm from the 3.0-litre six-cylinder twin-turbocharged petrol engine in the M2, and 390kW/650Nm in the M3 and M4 Competition.
The technology will be fitted to European-market M3 and M4 variants produced from July, followed a month later by the M2.
