Starting this fall, BMW of North America will introduce an update to the BMW Z4 sDrive28i model. The change comes from underneath the hood where BMW replaces the six-cylinder natural aspirated engine with a new four-cylinder turbocharged unit.

The replacement powerplant provides equivalent or better performance, refinement, and smoothness with two fewer cylinders. Like the Z4′s last TwinPower Turbo 3.0-liter turbo inline-6, the new 2.0-liter engine will combine high-pressure direct-injection and BMW’s VALVETRONIC intake control. With 240 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, it offers more power and torque than BMW’s normally aspirated 3.0-liter inline-6 that it replaces in the Z4 sDrive30i.

The turbocharger is a twin-scroll system, a design already seen in other six-cylinder powerplants.

Average fuel consumption for the BMW Z4 sDrive28i in the EU test cycle has improved by an impressive 20 percent.

Driving Footage Extended Version