Saab has officially announced the start of a business relationship with BMW, signing an agreement today that will see the German automaker supply the Swedish company with powertrains for future products. In particular, BMW will supply Saab with turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engines, designed to meet Saab's specific requirements. These would be the same engines that BMW currently uses in models like the MINI Cooper S, Clubman S and Countryman S – as well as John Cooper Works models.
There's no official word on what the engines will be used for, but Saab Spyker CEO Victor Muller has made it clear he is looking to develop a rival to the MINI Cooper (possibly named the 9-2), and certain reports have even suggested Saab will also buy the current MINI platform off BMW to use
The move by BMW is a clever strategy to sell off its "used" engine technology as BMW is believed to be developing a new line of turbocharged 3-cylinder to produce similar power with significantly better fuel economy than the current turbo 4-cylinder line.
There also remains a possibility that Saab could use the new BMW engines for the 9-3 – at least in Europe.
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BMW to Supply Saab With Turbocharged 4-Cylinder Engines; But for What Car? on AutoGuide.com
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